Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Tucumcari High School football team didn’t have much of an answer for Raton star running back Cayden Walton during a 58-8 loss Friday at the Tigers’ home stadium.
Walton, a senior, ran for 254 yards and four touchdowns in just 10 carries on Friday. Walton already has amassed more than 1,000 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns in just four games this season for the unbeaten Tigers.
Tucumcari coach Donnie Garcia said Walton, whom he said is fifth in the nation in rushing, was a handful for his defenders.
“He is very, very intelligent on when to cut, and not one person is going to bring him down,” he said. “When you have that type of runner with that type of experience, it’s going to play a part on a younger defense.
“But (the defense) put it all out there. They’re trying to get better each game.”
The game ended late in the third quarter due to the mercy rule. Tucumcari fell to 0-4.
Running back Daymion Urioste scored the Rattlers’ only touchdown on a 24-yard sweep during the second quarter. It was the second straight week Urioste scored a TD; the previous week’s happened on a kickoff return.
Urioste totaled 49 yards rushing during the game. Antonio Gonzales led the Rattlers with 68 yards on the ground, and teammate Santiago Montano added 36 yards. In all, Tucumcari totaled 164 yards rushing.
“We moved the ball,” Garcia said. “That’s a lot better than the minus-34 we had in the first game. We were able to run some plays we were working on in practice.
“We’re making progress, and we need to continue build on what we’re doing. They’re out there, busting their rear ends. I’m proud of their effort so far.”
Garcia said his team didn’t pass much, partly due to starting center Nolan Ryen being sidelined for another week with a banged-up knee. That precluded many shotgun-snap plays.
“We’re having a few problems with (snapping the ball),” he said. “Until we fix that, it’s going to be a little difficult. We’re working on it and trying to progress from there.”
Tucumcari hosts arch-rival Santa Rosa at 7 p.m. Friday at Rattler Stadium. The Lions (2-2) trounced Tularosa 60-14 on Friday. Santa Rosa is ranked fourth in Class 2A in the latest coaches poll.