Rattlers must contain Foxes' QB

QCS Senior Writer

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The 0-4 Tucumcari Rattlers will need to contain the center of a dynamic Fort Sumner offense if they hope to break into the win column Friday night.

In other words, they have to stop Foxes Quarterback Jude Segura.

The game is set for 7 p.m., at Fort Sumner

Tucumcari coach Wayne Ferguson said the Foxes spread the ball out on offense well, but tend to be more pass heavy, thanks to the big-play talents of Segura.

The Rattlers are coming off a 56-6 loss to Dexter a week ago. The 50-point mercy rule was applied in the third quarter.

Fort Sumner is 4-0 this season. That includes several big offensive outputs — 60 points against Hagerman, 35 against Texico and 31 against Santa Rosa.

Ferguson warned the Foxes’ passing attack is not their only weapon.

“We have not forgotten about Fort Sumner’s run game,” Ferguson said. “Its going to be a challenge for our defense to stop the Foxes from driving down the field.

Against Dexter, Tucumcari’s lone score came late in the second quarter.

Kyle Lopez’s 8-yard dash into the end zone capped off the Rattlers’ 58-yard drive.

Season-long turnover issues plagued Tucumcari again.

Dexter scored four touchdowns following Tucumcari turnovers — three times on interceptions and once on a fumble.

“You’ve got to take care of the ball,” Ferguson said. “We would start to put a drive together only to have it end due a turnover.”

Even when they held onto the ball, Ferguson said the Rattlers were unable to sustain offensive drives against Dexter.

“Your offense is in trouble when you only have 32 offensive plays in a game,” Ferguson said.

“We can’t continue to end drives by going three and out and punting the ball away.”

On a bright note, Ferguson said the team has shown it’s capable of strong play in each of the first four games.

“We just need to put together four quarters of sound football,” he said.

Scoring summary

Dexter 56 Tucumcari 6

First

Dexter: 18-yard rush Gabino Rodriguez (Eduardo Padilla kick)

Dexter: 9-yard pass from Jarren Amaro to David Morales (Rodriguez rush)

Second

Dexter: 3-yard rush Rodriguez (Padilla kick)

Dexter: 65-yard interception return Morales (Padilla kick)

Dexter: 1-yard rush Amaro (Padilla kick)

Dexter: 12-yard pass from Amaro to Sergio Ramirez (kick fail)

Tucumcari: 8-yard rush Kyle Lopez (kick fail)

Dexter: 11-yard pass from Amaro to Morales (Padilla kick)

Third

Dexter: 5-yard rush Gustavo Macias (Padilla kick)

Rattlers will play next at 7 p.m., Friday at Fort Sumner

In other action

8-man

The 1-3 Logan Longhorns lost 38-0 Friday night to the Wildcats at Boise City Oklahoma.

The Longhorns will play Foothill for homecoming at 7 p.m., Friday at Logan.

6-man

The 3-0 San Jon Coyotes have another bye week.