2023 Team Preview: Raton Tigers
Photo: Twitter
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<p><strong>Raton 2023 Preview</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Tory Giacomo </p>
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<p><strong>Mascot</strong>: Tigers </p>
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<p><strong>Twitter</strong>: @RatonFootball </p>
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<p><strong>Colors</strong>: Black and Gold </p>
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<p><strong>2022 Record</strong>: 9-4 (Class 3A Semifinals) </p>
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<p><strong>Overview</strong>: It's the $64,000 question on the lips of most Raton supporters and coaches and opposing players across Class 3A: Who will replace Cayden Walton, the state's all-time leading rusher with nearly 8,000 yards over five years, at running back for the Tigers? Well, it appears Raton's new No. 1 running back shares the same last name.</p>
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<p>Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613159' first='Cannon' last='Walton']</strong> is tasked with succeeding his older brother. Because he has largely played WR, Cannon has just 16 career carries going into this season. He possesses some speed but currently doesn't have his prolific older brother's stocky frame. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275465' first='W.D.' last='Hyer']</strong> should get some carries as well. He'll line up at RB, TE and WR depending on the play call and formation.</p>
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<p>While Cayden Walton has graduated and is headed to New Mexico Highlands to play college football, Raton does return last season's starting quarterback, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103773' first='Jacob' last='Mattorano']</strong>, who threw for 1,258 yards and 12 TD in 2022. Wide receiver has some good depth with junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119115' first='Wyatt' last='Berry']</strong> (3-year starter), senior <strong>Mario Alvarez</strong>, senior <strong>Matthew Munoz</strong> and Hyer. Newcomer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119146' first='Joseph' last='Saenz']</strong> has some serious speed and explosiveness. Senior <strong>Eric Burgos</strong> is a track guy that could help stretch the field.</p>
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<p>Two solid starters return on the offensive line – senior brothers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='592029' first='Isaiah' last='Garcia']</strong> (returning from injury) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103937' first='Isaac' last='Garcia']</strong> (center). Senior <strong>Carson Chatterley</strong> looks to nail down one of the starting offensive tackle jobs. Defensively, many of the aforementioned players will play both ways. [player_tooltip player_id='613159' first='Cannon' last='Walton'], Hyer, Mattorano, the Garcia brothers, Berry, Saenz, Alvarez and Munoz will all start on the defensive side as well. Hyer will spearhead the defense from his MIKE LB spot. </p>
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<p><strong>2023 Schedule</strong>: Raton opens the season with a neutral site game in Tucumcari against Class 2A power Eunice. The Coal Bucket game vs. Trinidad is set for Sept. 1. A huge test for the Tigers comes Sept. 22 when they travel five hours to Socorro. Raton lays 10 straight weeks before enjoying a bye on Oct. 27. So, they should be well rested going into the playoffs.</p>
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<p>Aug. 17 vs. Eunice (at Tucumcari)(Thur.)</p>
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<p>Aug. 25 at Guymon (OK)</p>
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<p>Sept. 1 TRINIDAD (CO)</p>
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<p>Sept. 8 at Tucumcari</p>
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<p>Sept. 15 ESCALANTE</p>
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<p>Sept. 22 at Socorro</p>
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<p>Sept. 29 SANTA FE INDIAN*</p>
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<p>Oct. 6 at West Las Vegas*</p>
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<p>Oct. 14 at St. Michael's*</p>
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<p>Oct. 20 ROBERTSON*</p>
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<p>Oct. 27 Bye</p>
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<p>* District Game </p>
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<p><strong>Coach's Comments</strong>: “Our guys get along and have that dog mentality. They have fun and get along in the locker room. We know everybody will be down on us with Cayden graduating, but I don't think that will be the case. We need to fill some holes on the line and find some guys there. If we do that, we'll be right there. Last year we ran out of guys and had to play some guys out of position. We have to overcome that. . .Jacob is a good runner and he has a big arm. We expect even better things from him this season. He did a great job last year commanding the offense. He played both ways, too. We're definitely excited to have him back. He's a big part of what we do. . .I think we're going to get creative and use some multi-back sets and let our QB run. We're confident we can fill the shoes, even though we realize that's easier said than done. We believe Cannon will do a good job. But we're not going to put everything on his back. We're going to spread it out and take what the defense gives us.” – Raton head coach Tory Giacomo.</p>
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