Local football teams prepare for fourth week of season

link Tucumcari Rattlers Saul Moriel extends to catch the pass for the first down during Friday’s game against the Estancia Bears.

Thomas Garcia

QCS Senior Writer

The Logan Longhorns and San Jon Coyotes are looking for another win while the Tucumcari Rattlers search for their first victory going into the fourth week of the high school fall football season.

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The (0-3) Rattlers are not making any excuses for Friday night’s 41-0 loss to the Estancia Bears and are instead working to prepare to play the (2-1) Demons Friday night at Dexter.

“We have played some tough, top-ranked teams to start off this season and its not going to get any easier as the season moves on,” said Wayne Ferguson, Rattlers head coach.

Ferguson said the Rattlers have to put Friday night’s loss behind them and focus on playing a complete game against the Demons. He said turnovers were an issue again for the Rattlers, who gave up six of eight fumbles, three of which resulted in 21 points for the Bears last Friday.

“The guys just need to work on completing the little things, that includes ball control and limiting turnovers,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson stressed to the Rattlers that playing with heart and not quitting when they encounter adversity is the most important thing to remember.

“Winning is good, but we know losses are going to happen. If you give it your all and don’t quit, you can still hold your head high,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said the Demons are a very talented team that is coming off a 12-8 home loss to Hagerman. He said the young team that only has four seniors starting continues to learn by taking the hard licks as they progress through the season.

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday at Dexter.

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The Longhorns are (3-0) looking to keep their win streak alive as they face a familiar foe, the (2-0) Melrose Buffaloes, Friday night at Logan.

“The Buffaloes are a very athletic team and we know this may be one of our toughest match-ups this season,” said Kene Terry, Longhorns head coach.

Both teams are coming off wins last Friday. The Longhorns beat the Dora Coyotes 77-37 and the Buffaloes routed Cloudcroft 58-8.

Terry said the Longhorns know the Buffaloes have talent from seeing films and the score from their last game. He said the Longhorns will be looking to step up their defense to slow down the Buffaloes’ attack and continue with their strong passing and rushing.

“I want to continue to run a high tempo offense,” Terry said. “We want to keep their defense on the field by running as many plays as we can.”

Game time: 7 p.m. at Logan

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The (2-1) San Jon Coyotes will be on the road looking for another win Saturday as they play the (1-2) Reserve Mountaineers at Carrizozo.

The Coyotes bounced back in week three with a 50-6 win over the New Mexico School for the Deaf. The contest was stopped at half time due to the score and injuries.

Reserve is a young team and they may be (1-2) but you can’t over look any team or take them for granted, said Bobby Gomez, Coyotes head coach.

Gomez said the Coyotes will be ready to take care of business against the Mountaineers and is looking to continue the success they had running the ball against NMSD.

Game time: 3 p.m. Saturday at Carrizozo