Lions win in overtime

SANTA ROSA - Though Santa Rosa has dominated its football games against Tucumcari in recent years, the Lions' 35-33 overtime victory Friday over the Rattlers was a throwback to when anything could happen during their rivalry.

In the end, the Lions relied on running back Elijah Velasquez as their workhorse. He scored the go-ahead touchdown in overtime and ultimately game-winning two-point conversion. He totaled 262 yards in 29 carries in Santa Rosa's vaunted single-wing offense, and he added a 95-yard kickoff return for another crucial touchdown in the second half. The Lions notched their first win of the season after an 0-4 start.

"Anytime Santa Rosa and Tucumcari play, it's always a rivalry game with a lot at stake," longtime Santa Rosa coach Mario Trujillo said. "We're proud of our kids for finally getting that first win of the season. It took every bit of our energy to get it against those Rattlers."

Tucumcari (1-4) had its own workhorse with running back Robbie Hartmann, who totaled 144 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown amid a potent ground game that amassed over 250 yards. His rushing attempt for a tying two-point conversion in overtime, however, was stopped a few yards short, ending the game.

Quarterback Jesus Ramos played a big role in the near-win for the Rattlers, throwing for two touchdowns on 3-for-8 passing and 59 yards and running for two more TDs, including one in overtime.

Although the Rattlers committed fewer mistakes than they had in weeks, coach Wayne Ferguson still lamented them - especially in such a close game. The Rattlers committed one turnover and botched two extra-point attempts, including one in the fourth quarter that loomed large.

"It's the little things," Ferguson said. "One of these days, we'll figure it out."

Ferguson acknowledged after a lopsided loss to Raton during Homecoming week that was aggravated by a lack of bodies in practice, his players did a much better job showing up and preparing for Santa Rosa - at least on offense.

"We had a great offensive workout, and you can see it carried over tonight," he said. "Our defense kind of struggled. When you're going against Santa Rosa and their offense with as few skill people as we have at the upper level, it's hard to execute that in practice. It took us a while to get them to understand that was have a game plan; you just have to play."

Though the Lions had struggled with inexperience and injuries all season, they looked solid during their first possession. Getting good field possession after Ramos booted two kickoffs out of bounds, they marched 50 yards on seven plays for a 7-0 lead. Quarterback Matthew Pacheco scored on a 24-yard keeper for the score.

The Rattlers responded with a nine-play TD drive during their possession. Stout running by Hartmann and TJ Lampkin moved the ball into Santa Rosa territory. On second-and-10, Ramos found Caleb White for a 31-yard touchdown pass. The extra-point snap was fumbled. Santa Rosa still led, 7-6.

Set up by Velasquez's 46-yard run, the Lions responded with another touchdown in the first quarter on his 5-yard plunge. Tucumcari blocked the extra-point kick, keeping the score 13-6.

The Rattlers moved the ball to Santa Rosa's 1-yard line on the next possession but seemed to fritter away the opportunity with a holding penalty and a sack, moving the ball back to the 13. However, Ramos found Josh Infante open on fourth-and-goal for a touchdown pass. Hartmann ran in a two-point conversion to give Tucumcari a 14-13 lead early in the second quarter.

Santa Rosa scored barely a minute later on Jordan Aragon's 37-yard touchdown run. The Lions scored a two-point conversion to make it 21-14.

Santa Rosa had a first-and-goal at the 9-yard line late in the second quarter, but lost ground on two penalties. The Lions went for it on fourth-and-goal from the 17 but were stopped well short of the goal.

Tucumcari received the kickoff to open the second half and embarked on a 10-play, 60-yard touchdown drive. Hartmann scored on a 1-yard plunge, and Ramos kicked the extra point to tie it, 21-21.

Ramos' subsequent kickoff squirted through two Santa Rosa players, and the Rattlers seemed certain to tackle returner Velasquez deep inside Santa Rosa's 10-yard line. Velasquez, however, weaved his way through defenders and broke loose for a 95-yard touchdown. Santa Rosa's PAT rushing attempt was short, keeping the score 27-21 in their favor.

Santa Rosa's defenders stopped a potential Tucumcari score when they stripped White of the football at the 18-yard line. But the Lions didn't capitalize and were forced to punt.

The Rattlers went 10 plays for another score - a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Ramos - with six minutes left in regulation. Tucumcari set up for a go-ahead kick by Ramos, but a low snap aborted the attempt, keeping it tied 27-27.

Tucumcari's defense stopped Velasquez on fourth-and-2 at their 39-yard line with less than two minutes left. Though the Rattlers played stouter defense in the second half, Ferguson said he made no special adjustments at intermission.

"We just fired them up at halftime a little bit and told them they're not playing defense," he said. "We finally started playing."

The Rattlers moved the ball to midfield but, with time running out, three straight passing plays fell incomplete. With 8.4 seconds left, Ferguson elected to punt instead of trying another play on fourth down. On Santa Rosa's next snap, Velasquez ran 52 yards and nearly broke loose for a score.

"We didn't want to give Santa Rosa the ball at midfield," Ferguson said, explaining the punt. "They showed what they could do on that next play. We lost containment. If we don't have Robbie there, they score a touchdown and win it in regulation."

In overtime, each team is given the ball 15 yards from the goal line and four downs to score. Santa Rosa won the coin toss, and Velasquez carried the ball three straight times for the score, then the two-point conversion, for a 35-27 lead in overtime.

With Tucumcari's turn, Ramos carried the ball 8 yards to the 2-yard line and gained another yard when Santa Rosa was penalized for grabbing his face mask. Ramos scored on sneak play to make it 35-33.

On the two-point attempt, Hartmann tried a run to his right side but was met by defenders at least two yards short of the goal, ending the wild game. A despondent Hartmann laid on the ground for several seconds before a Santa Rosa player helped him up and consoled him.

"It became a shootout at the end," Trujillo said. "Someone had to get lucky and, fortunately, it was us."