Rattlers take on Eunice; Longhorns at Mountainair

link QCS Photo: Thomas Garcia

Fort Sumner Foxes fullback Charley Rodriguez is smothered by the Tucumcari Rattlers’ tacklers short of a first down at mid-field during Friday night’s homecoming game at Rattlers’ Stadium.

QCS Senior Writer

Here are summaries of the week to come for Quay County high school football teams:

11-man

The (0-5) Tucumcari Rattlers are set to take on the (0-4) Eunice Cardinals Friday night at Rattler Stadium.

The Rattlers had a rough homecoming losing 52-14 to the Fort Sumner Foxes.

“We need to stop being our own worst enemy on offense and defense,” said Wayne Ferguson, Rattlers head coach.

Ferguson said the Rattlers know they have to be more aggressive coming across the line on defense. There can be nothing but trouble when your secondary is leading in tackles, he said.

“Our front seven have to get across the line and make those tackles,” Ferguson said.

The Rattlers’ defensive struggles resulted in 234 yards of rushing and two touchdowns by Foxes running back Kyle Idtensohn. Missed tackles by the Rattlers on the second half kick-off return resulted in an 87 yard touchdown by Aurilo Lopez.

On offense the Rattlers scored twice. One was a one-yard quarterback sneak by D’Ontee Sandoval in the second quarter. The other was a 15-yard rushing touchdown by Daniel Lopez in the final four minutes of the game.

The Rattlers had five turnovers that resulted in points for the Foxes, four touchdowns and one field goal.

Turnovers have been an issue in the past three games for the Rattlers, Ferguson said. The Rattlers need to focus on taking care of the ball in order not to give up good field position or a quick score.

The Rattlers next opponent is the Cardinals, a team that has struggled in its four weeks the same as the Rattlers.

“They are a well coached team and we are expecting a good match-up,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said the Rattlers will work on containing the quarterback and closing the gaps to prevent the Cardinals’ running back from breaking a big play. He said the front seven will have to be aggressive from the line of scrimmage to keep the Cardinals offense in check.

Game time 7 p.m., Friday at Rattler Stadium

8-man

It was a different story for the (5-0) Logan Longhorns. Their homecoming game Saturday gave them a 63-12 rout over the Cloudcroft Bears.

“They were a much better team on the field than what we saw on film earlier in the week,” said Kene Terry, Longhorns head coach.

Terry said the Bears played a good game for a team that just this year dropped from being 11-man to 8-man. He said many of the Bears’ players were younger and were stepping into the role of varsity starters with little experience.

The Longhorns will start their district play Friday against the 1-4 Mustangs at Mountainair.

“We don’t really know much about the Mustangs,” Terry said.

Terry said he has not seen any film of the Mustangs and is not sure what to expect. He said the Longhorns are preparing as they always do and will be ready to step out onto the field come Friday night.

Game time: 7 p.m., at Mountainair

6-man

The (4-1) San Jon Coyotes beat the Clovis Christian Eagles 78-24 Friday night at San Jon and now are preparing for their next challenge, the (0-3) Roy/Wagonmound Longhorns.

Coach Bobby Gomez was not available for comment.

Game time: 3 p.m. at San Jon