Rattlers, Longhorns, Coyotes are ready for a new season

QCS Senior Writer

High school football returns to the area Friday with a road game for Tucumcari and home games for Logan and San Jon.

Escalate is going to be a strong challenge for the Rattlers to open the season, said Wayne Ferguson, Rattlers head coach.

Ferguson said the Lobos are the two-time defending 2A state football champions under coach Dusty Giles. He said the Rattlers have played them the previous two seasons and that the Lobos have played the Rattlers tough.

Ferguson said the Lobos lost a powerful duo on their offense being their starting quarterback and running back. He said the team has watched film on the Lobos' scrimmage this season and he added that their new quarterback has a lot of talent.

“They did not appear to have the same size line they have in the past but you can't read too much into that,” Ferguson said. “When you have played multiple years at the state championship level the younger players stepping up into the line are just as talented.”

The Rattlers will play at 7 p.m., at Escalante.

Friday at Escalante

Sept. 2 Desert Academy

Sept. 9 Estancia

Sept. 16 at Dexter

Sept. 23 at Fort Sumner

Sept. 30 Eunice (Homecoming)

Oct. 7 Bye week

Oct. 14 Clayton *

OCt. 21 at Santa Rosa*

Oct. 28 Texico*

Nov. 4 at Raton*

All games are at 7 p.m., district games marked with an asterisk.

8-man

The Logan High School Longhorns will start the season with a relatively unknown opponent as they play the Tatum Coyotes Friday at Logan.

"Last year our game against the Coyotes was canceled due to the weather," said Kene Terry, Longhorns head coach.

Terry said the Coyotes also have a new coach this season and that makes it a harder to know what to expect. He said the team has watched some film on of the Coyotes' scrimmage game and is doing its best to prepare for the season.

“All we can do is work each week on improving and come Friday night be ready to give it our all when we step out onto the field,” Terry said.

The Longhorns will play at 7 p.m., against Tatum at Logan.

Friday Tatum

Sept. 2 at Gateway Christian

Sept. 10 at Mesilla Valley Christian School, 2 p.m.

Sept. 23 Foothill

Sept. 30 at Springer*

Oct. 14 Melrose *

Oct. 21 Dora/Elida *

Oct. 28 at Mountainair *

All games are at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted and district games marked with an asterisk.

6-Man

The first game for the San Jon Coyotes will be against a stout Vaughn Eagles team that is returning most of its players, said Bobby Gomez, Coyotes head coach.

The team has been working hard to prepare for the start of the season, Gomez said. The Coyotes will be led again by D.C. Lee at quarterback and Jacob Benavidez at running back.

Gomez said Jacob Thurman is another returning running back he expects to have an impact on the field.

“Playing against Vaughn is going to be a great test for our Coyotes,” Gomez said. “The boys are excited about their first home game and hopes the community comes out to show their support.”

The Coyotes play at 4 p.m., against Vaughn at San Jon.

Aug. 26 Vaughn 4 p.m.

Sept. 2 at Hondo 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 9 at Carrizozo (Reserve) 4 p.m.,

Sept. 15 New Mexico School for the Deaf 4 p.m.

Sept. 30 Roy* 4 p.m.

Oct. 7 at Lake Arthur* 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 21 at Floyd* 3 p.m.

District games marked with an asterisk.