High school football gets underway

Area high school football teams are prepping for their first game of the season, with Logan and San Jon traveling and Tucumcari at home to face Escalante.

"We expect to see the same type of play out from Escalante that we have seen over the past three years," said Wayne Ferguson, Rattlers head coach, of the 7 p.m. Friday matchup.

This is the fourth-straight year the Lobos and Rattlers have faced off, with Escalante winning by counts of 34-28, 18-0 and 34-6.

Ferguson said the Lobos will like to spread the ball around on offense using the double wing formation and switching sometimes to shotgun formation.

He said on defense the Lobos are going to try and limit the open passing lanes to try and contain the Rattlers.

"I believe if we play to our abilities, we can win," said Casey Carter, quarterback.

Carter said going into Friday's home opener the team needs to focus on executing their assignments. He said the team needs to be mentally and physically prepared to go to battle.

Defense delayed

The defending 1A six-man Grady/San Jon Coyotes were expecting to open their season on the road against the Eagles at Vaughn.

It looks, however, like title defense is going to have to wait one more week, as Vaughn canceled the game Tuesday afternoon.

Jones said the Coyotes will have defensive players who will have to learn on the go as the season progresses. The Coyotes will now open the season at home Sept. 1 against Hondo.

Logan opens play

The Logan Longhorns eight-man football team will travel to Tatum to take on the Coyotes in their season opener.

"There is a lot of youth on the team, with many stepping into positions they have never played before on a varsity level," said Scott Dean, first year head coach.

Dean said the team is still working on getting 100 percent healthy but are ready to face the challenges of a new season.

Kickoff is 7 p.m. Friday at Tatum

Runners

head to Clovis

The Tucumcari boys and girls cross country teams will begin the season Friday at Clovis.

There are 12 runners in the program this year, seven girls and five boys, said Gary Hittson, head coach.

Hittson said the team lost a runner off of each team, but this year's team looks to be just as strong.