Rattlers drop opener to Thoreau

For about a quarter Friday, new Tucumcari football coach Doug South and his Rattlers made it interesting against Thoreau during the season-opener for both teams at Rattler Stadium.

But after Tucumcari rallied to tie the game 8-8, Rattler mistakes and the Hawks' bigger size led to 30 unanswered points during a 38-8 Thoreau victory.

South said the mental mistakes - such as two turnovers and penalties in short-yardage situations - proved costly.

"Fundamentally, we're still breaking down," he said. "Fundamentally, we got to work on playing four quarters of a football game. That's all I can really say."

In the locker room after the game, South said he chewed out his players for laughing on the sidelines when the outcome was apparent.

"We had people on our sidelines think it's funny we get beat," he said. "It's not funny. We got some young men that have really worked hard, and that's the ones we have to honor."

Junior running back Daymion Urioste led Tucumcari with 110 yards rushing and receiving. Sophomore Michael Crouch scored the Rattlers' only touchdown on an 85-yard run in the first period.

The Hawks commanded a 368-235 edge in yards from the line of scrimmage. Elam Smith rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns in 13 carries. Quarterback Stetson Perry completed 6 of 11 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown, and he ran for another score.

Thoreau coach Erik Loera graded his team's performance a B-minus.

"We got an all-new offense, new quarterback, new running backs, new line," he said. "This game was kind of a good gauge as to how the season is going to go. We got a much tougher matchup next week against Socorro."

Loera said his team adjusted well when the Rattlers defense crowded the line to counter its power running attack.

"We had to do a little short jump passes, and we were able to do that," he said. "Going forward, we got to be more consistent. We can't stall out on drives. That comes with the kids learning the plays. We'll get there."

On their opening drive, the Hawks appeared content to mostly run the football up the middle behind its big line. It took Thoreau just six plays to go 57 yards for a touchdown, scored on Ty Gaddy's 3-yard run. Saige Westmoreland bulled forward for the two-point conversion to give Thoreau an 8-0 lead.

The Hawks had another chance at a score during the quarter when it gained a first down on Tucumcari's 18-yard line. But four Thoreau plays netted 3 yards, giving the ball back to the Rattlers on downs.

On the next play, Crouch found a seam on the left side and outran the Hawks defenders for an 85-yard TD run with 2:32 left in the quarter.

Tucumcari was penalized after the play when an ineligible player ran onto the field in celebration after the score. But Rattlers quarterback Nick Goen, escaping pressure, threw to Eric Acosta, who wrestled down the ball for the two-point conversion to tie the game 8-8.

Two plays later, Hawks receiver Jordan Calladitto got behind Tucumcari's defense and caught a 51-yard touchdown pass from Perry. Tucumcari's defense stopped the two-point try, but Thoreau led 14-8 with 1:32 left in the period.

Tucumcari had a first down at Thoreau's 38-yard line on its next possession, but its next four plays totaled just 4 yards.

Thoreau then used 13 plays to go 66 yards for a touchdown, capped by Smith's 2-yard run.

It appeared the Rattlers might make a goal-line stand after the Hawks had a first down at the Tucumcari 5.

Tucumcari's defense made two tackles for a loss on three plays, and Thoreau faced a fourth down and 4 yards to go.

However, the Rattlers jumped offsides, moving the ball 2 more yards to the goal line. Those additional yards was all Smith needed to score. Westmoreland scored the two-pointer for a 22-8 Hawks lead about five minutes before halftime.

On the opening drive of the third quarter, the Hawks stripped the ball from Tucumcari's Trip Payn during a rushing attempt and recovered it.

Thoreau capitalized on the turnover with a 47-yard touchdown by Smith. Westmoreland scored the conversion to give Thoreau a 30-8 lead.

Tucumcari advanced to a first down at Thoreau's 22-yard line. But Goen was sacked for a 12-yard loss. On fourth-and-7, Goen attempted a pass to a receiver near the goal line, but Thoreau intercepted it and returned it to near midfield.

Midway through the fourth period, Tucumcari had another chance in the red zone with a first down on Thoreau's 9-yard line. But the Rattlers got no closer due to a no-gain run, a sack and a fumbled snap.

Tucumcari set up for a 29-yard field goal by Goen on fourth down, but the holder bobbled the low snap and Goen never had a chance to kick it.

Thoreau's offense capped the night on an 80-yard drive, with Perry scoring on a 6-yard run with 2:22 left. Westmoreland again tallied a two-point conversion for a 38-8 lead.

After all the players shook hands at midfield following the game, South and Loera exchanged angry words near the visitors sideline, prompting boos and catcalls from Thoreau fans.

Loera said his anger was sparked by a Tucumcari player that he said deliberately stepped on one of his players late in the game, prompting a penalty against the Rattlers.

"Tucumcari is doing good things. Just a shame their coach's really mouthy. Hopefully the kids don't pick that up," Loera said.

South accused Loera of swearing at his players and reported that to the officiating crew, which presumably would send the complaint to the New Mexico Activities Association.

"I don't even swear at my players," South said.

Tucumcari travels Saturday to non-district foe Hozho Academy in Gallup for a 2 p.m. game. Hozho defeated Zuni 36-6 on Saturday.

Nearly a half-dozen Rattler players didn't suit up Friday because their lack of practices made them ineligible via NMAA rules. Many of them will be able to play this weekend.

"It'd be easy to not follow the rules because nobody would know. But I will follow the rules. We're going to get better," South said.