Rattlers season opener ends at half due to lighting issues

link Rattler Santiago Alires lead blocks for running back Daniel Lopez for a 40-yard rush during Friday night's 18-0 loss to Escalante.

Staff Report

The Tucumcari Rattlers “played lights out” -- literally -- on Friday in their home opener against the Escalante Lobos at Tucumcari.

An issue with the new stadium lights at Rattler Stadium ended the 0-1 Rattlers' football season opener with Tucumcari trailing 18-0 at halftime.

“Some things are simply out of our control,” said Rattlers head coach Wayne Ferguson.

As the team was warming up for the game, the stadium lights blew a fuse and Ferguson got the team ready to take the field early in order to play through the half while light was still available.

As if the lights not working wasn’t enough, what available sunlight was quickly swallowed by storm clouds.

All the touchdowns were scored in the first quarter. The Rattlers' defense was able to slow and stop the Lobos from gaining first downs.

Ferguson said the team didn’t come out with intensity and started the game just like it did against Robertson a week earlier. He said the Rattlers fell behind early, but began to find their groove in the second quarter.

“I think we played better once we were behind,” Ferguson said. “We have to start each game like we ended this game and not wait till we are behind.”

For the Lobos it was a win to start the season, a 30 minute win to cap off a 520 mile, 8-hour round trip.

The Rattlers fell behind early as the Lobos scored on their first play from scrimmage, a 50-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Dominic Montano. The two-point conversion attempt was no good.

Following a blocked Rattler punt, the Lobos had the ball on the 2-yard line but were backed up 15-yards on a face-mask penalty. However, Montano connected with wide receiver Tristan Martinez on a third-down pass for the second score of the game. The extra point attempt again was no good.

The Lobos' final score was a 80-yard touchdown return by Justin Sedillo.

The San Jon/Grady Coyotes started their season with a 54-0 routing of the Vaughn Eagles.

Lightning forced the cancellation of the Logan Longhorns first game in the third quarter Friday night in Tatum. Score not available at time of posting.