Tatum ends Logan's football season

Top-seeded host Tatum decisively ended Logan’s season Friday during the eight-man football semifinals with a 52-0 victory that was halted in the fourth quarter by the mercy rule.

Logan, a fourth seed, ended its year with an 8-4 record.

The Longhorns also lost 34-8 to Tatum during a district matchup on Oct. 15.

In addition to Logan losing top running back Hayden Judd to a broken collarbone during the previous week’s victory over Magdalena, coach Dwayne Roberts said his team also lost receiver and defensive back Kaeden Stoner to an injury early in the first quarter Friday.

“As a whole, we had too many position changes that put athletes in a position they had not played the entire season,” Roberts said. “These factors, and trying to adjust the offense to fit personnel on the field, greatly affected the outcome of the game. We were very young on the field, with an eighth-grader and two freshmen starting and playing the entire game.”

Roberts said Park Strong and Christian Kotara “carried the bulk of the load offensively” for the Longhorns, and Strong and Payson Nials were the top contributors on defense.

The Coyotes (8-1) gained nearly 400 yards in offense. Running back Hayden Mullins scored five touchdowns and rushed for 160 yards. Quarterback Taylor Garner threw for 170 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another.

Tatum’s defense made six tackles for a loss and forced two turnovers.

The Longhorns lose just two seniors – Zack Byrd and Hayden Garnett – and one starter from the team.

“We had a great season and am very proud of this group of young men,” Roberts said. “Already looking at next year and expecting another great season.”

Tatum hosts second-seeded Melrose (7-2) for the state championship at 7 p.m. Friday. Melrose downed third-seeded Fort Sumner 56-24 in the other semifinal.

Tatum previously defeated Melrose 38-26 during a district matchup on Oct. 8.