2024 Look Ahead: Raton Tigers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Younger brother to the state's all-time leading rusher, Raton senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613159' first='Cannon' last='Walton']</strong> looks to leave a legacy at Raton at a different position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After leading the Tigers in rushing last season, including an impressive 173-yard outing against the rugged St. Michael's defense in the Class 3A quarterfinals, Walton will quarterback the Raton offense in the Tigers' first year in Class 2A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Cannon spent all spring and summer working at quarterback,” Raton head coach Tory Giacomo told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “I've been pleasantly surprised at what he can do. He'll be a dual threat, obviously. Our biggest concern was his throwing, but I'm not concerned about that anymore. After what I've seen, I'm excited. He has come a long way. He has opened my eyes. I have no worries about that position.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Raton's move from 3A to 2A became official in December when the NMAA cemented the football realignment for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The move was a product of Raton High School's declining enrollment, Giacomo said, which pushed them right under the 3A/2A line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I thought we always competed well in Class 3A against bigger schools,” Giacomo said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Raton will face former 3A district rivals Robertson and St. Michael's in consecutive weeks in late September. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I don't think our schedule gets any easier,” Giacomo said. “There are a lot of good teams in Class 2A. We've played some of those schools in recent years. Our district is going to be very competitive. Many of our players are very excited.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Walton moving to quarterback, senior <strong>Jospeh Saenz</strong> ascends to the No. 1 running back spot. Last season Saenz rushed for over 700 yards. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604784' first='Cael' last='Walton']</strong>, the youngest Walton brother, should get some carries as well. He'll line up at RB and WR. Junior <strong>Shane Ashley</strong> will be in the mix after shining at the JV level and in track.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Joseph was a big-time guy for us last year even though it was basically his first year with our varsity,” Giacomo said. “He's not a big guy but he's really fast.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613750' first='Chase' last='Middlebrook']</strong> will play tight end and fullback. He's an excellent blocker. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119115' first='Wyatt' last='Berry']</strong>, who has been playing varsity since he was a freshman in 2021, headlines the WR corps. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604784' first='Cael' last='Walton']</strong> will be a nice second option there in addition to his RB duties. After that duo, Raton will rely on several other receivers such as sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680201' first='Luciano' last='Castillo']</strong>, junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267015' first='Elijah' last='Kenney'] </strong>and senior <strong>David Munoz</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We have a lot of young players to go with our core group of guys,” Giacomo said. “We have a lot of holes to fill. Those young guys need to grow up quick. They need to be committed and show up every day. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six-foot-5 junior center <strong>Logan Elliott</strong> is the lone returning offensive linemen. Most of the other spots should be filled with blockers who mostly played at the JV level in 2023. Juniors <strong>Santiago Castillo</strong> and <strong>Jerry Wheeler</strong> are expected to earn starting jobs. Junior <strong>Thomas Pacheco</strong> is a possibility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Right now, we're just trying to see who will step up,” Giacomo said. “Most of these guys have JV experience. The offensive line will be a work in progress. But I'm confident because we have an excellent O-Line coach.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Raton will rely on many of the aforementioned players. [player_tooltip player_id='613159' first='Cannon' last='Walton'] will play safety. Berry will be a cornerback/rover. Middlebrook will be the middle linebacker. Along the D-Line, junior <strong>Chrystipher Messoline</strong> will be asked to take on a larger role this season. Elliott will be a defensive end. Saenz and [player_tooltip player_id='1604784' first='Cael' last='Walton'] will see action at cornerback. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 RATON FOOTBALL SCHEDULE</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 23 TOHATCHI (7 p.m.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30 LAMAR (CO) (7 p.m.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 6 at Trinidad (CO) (7 p.m.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 13 Bye</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 20 at Robertson (7 p.m.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 27 ST. MICHAEL'S ( 7 p.m.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 5 at Legacy Academy (Sat., Noon)*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 11 TUCUMCARI (7 p.m.)*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 18 CAPITAN (7 p.m.)*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 25 at Santa Rosa (7 p.m.)*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nov. 1 at Estancia (7 p.m.)*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* District 2A-2 Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/RatonFootball/status/1817193136117944497","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/RatonFootball/status/1817193136117944497 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/RatonFootball/status/1730051939952480299","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/RatonFootball/status/1730051939952480299 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->