Tucumcari takes loss from Texico

Six turnovers in the first half and a depleted varsity roster spelled doom for the Tucumcari football team during a 55-0 loss Friday night at Texico that was shortened by the mercy rule.

For the Rattlers (1-6), running back and linebacker Robbie Hartmann and tight end-linebacker Julian Vargas were sidelined with severe ankle injuries, and receiver and safety Ryan Birch was out with a non-football knee injury.

On top of that, starting quarterback, safety and kicker Jesus Ramos quit the team Tuesday for what coach Wayne Ferguson said was "a personal decision."

Fullback TJ Lampkin was forced into the QB position, and Ferguson said the senior is playing at "60% of what he could be because he's hurt."

In all, Ferguson said he lost five starters on both sides of the ball before the game.

"I had to put people in positions they hadn't played all year," he said. "We knew it was going to be a long night. It was about a half-varsity, half-JV team playing against a full varsity team."

Ferguson said a slick ball from days of torrential rains contributed to his team's turnovers - including an interception that Texico's Josh Myers returned 30 yards for a touchdown less than two minutes into the first quarter.

"We had some issues with ball handling," Ferguson said.

Aided by a repeatedly short field from Tucumcari's turnovers, seven Wolverine players scored touchdowns. Texico (3-4) led 22-0 after the first quarter and 49-0 at halftime. Wolverines quarterback Gabe Dickerman threw for two touchdown passes and rushed for another.

Meanwhile, the Rattlers had trouble even moving the ball.

Another touchdown early in the third quarter - after two scores were called back because of penalties - put the Wolverines past the 50-point margin and ended the game.

Tucumcari has a welcome bye week before playing at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at district foe Tularosa (5-1), which was a 21-0 winner Friday over Hatch Valley.

"Hopefully, we can get some people healed up over next week," Ferguson said.

Ferguson acknowledged, however, the statuses of Hartmann and Vargas for the Tularosa game remain "iffy" because ankle injuries sometimes are slow to heal.