Rattlers dominate Wolves 50-0

THS romps during storm-delayed Homecoming.

For once, Tucumcari's still-young team encountered a squad with even less football experience.

As a result, the Rattlers dominated from start to finish Thursday in a 50-0 victory over Hozho Academy during Tucumcari's annual Homecoming game at Rattler Stadium.

The game, its start delayed by lightning for two hours, ended in the third quarter due to the mercy rule. The Homecoming game was played Thursday instead of the usual Friday because Lady Rattlers volleyball team was playing at a weekend tournament in Santa Fe.

The Rattlers (2-3) surged to a 30-0 lead after one quarter and held a 44-0 advantage at halftime. They totaled 381 yards from scrimmage.

Daymion Urioste scored two touchdowns for Tucumcari. Kamren Apodaca, totaling a team-high 107 yards rushing, scored a TD, added a pair of two-point conversions and helped set the tone with a long return on the opening kickoff.

In all, seven Tucumcari players scored. It was the most points Tucumcari had totaled since a 60-20 victory over Estancia on Oct. 19, 2012.

Tucumcari coach Tarik Embrack welcomed a dominating win after two lopsided losses against state-ranked Raton and Santa Rosa and the team still coping with the death of freshman player Javion Martinez last month.

"I was really proud of them after all the stuff we went through in the past few weeks," he said. "We came together tonight, and I hope we can keep it rolling against Ruidoso, our first district game. I just want them to continue this momentum, and I want them to relish how it feels to win.

"It's been a long time, obviously, since they've won two games. I just want them to enjoy it, not doing anything stupid and keep on the same track. I wanted us to progress, and we looked way better tonight than we did in the last couple of weeks."

About the only complaint for Embrack was his team's 80 yards in penalties, including several that nullified big plays. The Rattlers also were flagged twice for unsportsmanlike conduct when the game's outcome was not in doubt.

"We've got to win with class and still play the game and do the right things. Don't shoot yourself in the foot," he said.

Hozho Academy (1-4) of Gallup is embarking on its first season of varsity football. Coach Cyle Balok said his team played a handful of junior varsity games last year, using mostly freshmen and eighth-graders.

The Wolves' inexperience showed repeatedly when Tucumcari's skill players regularly peeled off long runs.

On offense, Hozho had negative yards rushing, and quarterback Brandon Bonaguidi went 2-for-15 passing for 9 yards.

"In most of our games, we've been able to find some success," Balok said. "But tonight, they just out-physicaled us all across the board. They blocked tougher and ran harder. I think we're a little better than we were tonight, but sometimes you just get outclassed.

"It's a bit of growing pains right now, but we're trying to invest and build something for the future. We've got some talented kids, but they're young, and we have a long way to go in a maturity standpoint."

Apodaca started the game with a bang when he returned the opening kickoff 35 yards into Wolves territory. On the next play, Urioste caught a short pass from Nick Romero and streaked down the left sideline for a 45-yard touchdown. Jordan Rincones caught a pass for a two-point conversion and an 8-0 lead.

Midway through the first quarter, Antonio Gonzales rambled through a hole on the right side and scored a 43-yard touchdown. Apodaca caught the two-point conversion for a 16-0 lead.

After a 45-yard run by Apodaca deep in Wolves' territory, Urioste scored on a 6-yard run. Apodaca caught another two-point pass for a 24-0 lead.

Tucumcari tried an onside kick and recovered it on Hozho's 45-yard line. Five plays later, the Rattlers made it 30-0 when Luis Archuleta scored on a 34-yard run.

Jase Aughtman scored on a 19-yard run early in the second quarter, and Julian Griego tallied the two-point conversion with a pass reception to make it 38-0.

Rincones next scored on a 66-yard run with 7:27 left in the quarter to make it 44-0.

Tucumcari had a shot at scoring its 50th point before halftime, but a running clock after a 36-point differential and two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties enabled the Wolves to move the ball to Tucumcari's 33-yard line.

The Rattlers stopped the Wolves on fourth down, but too little time remained for the Rattlers to mount another TD drive.

After another three-downs-and-a-punt possession by the Wolves to open the third quarter, Apodaca scored a 62-yard touchdown with 8:16 left to tally the 50th point and end the game shortly before 11 p.m.

Tucumcari opens its district schedule with a 7 p.m. home game Friday against Ruidoso (1-5). Tularosa whipped the Warriors 50-0 on Friday night.