Logan advances to semifinals, Rattlers,Coyotes end seasons

link Longhorn’s Larramy Roberts breaks free from a tackle and rushes 36-yards for a touchdown during Friday night’s 8-man state tournament quarter-final matchup against the Jemez Valley Warriors. The Longhorns routed the Warriors 77-0 to advance to the semifinals against the Gateway Christian Warriors. Game time 2 p.m., Saturday at Logan

QCS Senior Writer

The first-seed Logan Longhorns advanced to the semifinals of the eight-man state football tournament after routing the eighth-seeded Jemez Valley Warriors Friday in Logan.

The game was called at half time due to the mercy rule.

The Longhorns controlled Friday night’s quarterfinals game, scoring on their second play of the game on a 51-yard touchdown rush from quarterback Wyatt Strand.

The Longhorns then scooped up back-to-back Warriors fumbles on kick-off returns and converted them into scores.

On offense, the Longhorns had 10 touchdowns; four rushing touchdowns by Strand, two rushing touchdowns by Larramy Roberts, two touchdowns receptions by Brinton Roach and one touchdown reception by Michael Estrada and Grady Loveland.

On defense, the Longhorns held the Warriors to eight possessions in two quarters, forced three fumbles, gave up only four first downs and scored on a 50-yard interception return by Wesley Gudgell.

Despite the score, “the Warriors were a well coached team that forced us to change up our game plan,” said Kene Terry, Longhorns head coach.

Terry said the Warriors had size and a lot of speed and took away the middle lanes for their rushers and Strand. He said they had to make adjustments on defense, as well, to defend against the Warriors’ large receivers.

“We came in tonight ready to play a tough team with size and didn’t allow ourselves to be intimidated,” said Trey Daniels, Longhorns defensive end.

Daniels said the success of the Longhorns’ defense comes from everyone playing as a team, not from seeking out individual statistics or glory. He said his teammates share the same same goal and work as brothers, communicating with each other constantly on the field.

“We don’t get into arguments, we don’t shift blame if a team gets a play past us,” Daniels said. “We get back to the line of the scrimmage and make up for it on the next play together as one team.”

The win against the Warriors pits the Longhorns against the fourth-seed Gateway Christian Warriors. The Gateway Warriors defeated the fifth-seed Foothill Falcons Friday to advance.

The Longhorns defeated Gateway Christian 55-30 on Sept. 5 at Roswell, but Terry said he and the Longhorns know they will be facing a much different team.

“The guys are going to continue to play hard no matter who they play or how far ahead they may be in the game,” Terry said.

Game time 2 p.m., Saturday at Logan.

6-man

The fourth-seed San Jon Coyotes ended their 6-man state tournament run Friday night with a 59-6 semifinals loss to the first seed Hondo Eagles at Hondo.

It was a rough game against a good team, though our Coyotes never gave up and kept playing throughout the game, said Bobby Gomez, Coyotes head coach.

“I was proud of how they played with their hearts and didn’t lose their poise,” Gomez said.

Gomez said over all he is pleased with the Coyotes’ 2014 season. The Coyotes made it to the semifinal rounds of the state tournament for the second consecutive year. He said the team is losing three seniors after this year, but much of the team will be returning next year.

“I have a very positive outlook for next year,” Gomez said. “We had a lot of younger players step up this season and with the experience they will be even better next year.”

11-man

After the game, the coach had some strong praise for the Tucumcari Rattlers in their final game of the season.

“Tucumcari has a young, very physical team,” the coach said. “They have good prospects for next year.”

The speaker wasn't Tucumcari Rattler Head Coach Wayne Ferguson but Clayton Yellowjacket Head Coach Collin Justiss. The Yellowjackets had just closed the Rattlers’ season by handing the Tucumcari squad 52-0 defeat that ended halfway through the third quarter through the state's “mercy rule,” which kicks in when one team leads by 50 points or more. The Yellowjackets are the No. 1 team in New Mexico 3A football.

Ferguson said his Rattlers “came out and played in the first quarter and did well against the best team in the state. They started to slump in the second, and they just couldn't come out of it.”

Even though the Rattlers were scoreless, Ferguson said, “they were the first team to make Clayton punt in seven or eight games.”

Despite some strong rushing efforts from Saul Moriel and pass completions and strong runs from D'Ontee Sandoval, the Rattlers could not make the scoreboard.

Most of the Yellowjackets' scoring was on breakaway runs. Yellowjackets running back Koy Geary had yet another stellar night of rushing. He has led the Yellowjackets in rushing all season.

The undefeated Yellowjackets have scored decisive wins over every state opponent except Estancia. The Estancia Bears held the Yellowjackets to 12 points and scored seven against the Clayton powerhouse, which has scored at least 50 points in beating every other New Mexico opponent.

While he praised the Tucumcari squad, Justiss said his own team “has work to do,” as they prepare to take on state opponents.

Tucumcari finished the season with a 1-9 record.

Steve Hansen QCS Managing Editor contributed to this story