2025 Team Preview: Raton Tigers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 RATON TIGERS PREVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Raton's initial season in Class 2A ended with a hard-fought loss to No. 2 seed Santa Rosa in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. The Tigers finished 6-6 and in third place in District 2A-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Class 2A wasn't any easier (than Class 3A),” Raton head coach Tory Giacomo told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We've been preaching to our players about getting bigger, faster and stronger. We had great summer workouts. We don't have a lot of stars like we've had in the past. But I think we're more team-oriented with guys working hard and grinding and understanding what we have to do.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 3 Players:</strong> <strong>Azden Romero</strong> (QB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604784' first='Cael' last='Walton']</strong> (RB), <strong>Logan Elliott</strong> (OL).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another of the Walton brothers has graduated as quarterback Cannon Walton earned his diploma after nearly joining the prestigious 1,000-1,000 club in 2024. He passed for 952 yards and rushed for 1,023 yards. The new quarterback is likely 6-foot-0, 210-pound senior <strong>Azden Romero</strong>, last season's backup. He threw for 532 yards and 5 TD in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“If he can stay healthy, Azden will be the guy,” Giacomo said. “Azden is a big load. He's been a defensive end for us.” &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Walton Dynasty isn't over in Raton, though. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604784' first='Cael' last='Walton']</strong> will play both running back and receiver and will have the ball in his hands a lot. Promising freshman (2029) <strong>Harlem Coley</strong> will likely be the backup RB, while another freshman,<strong> Braylon Walton</strong> could earn the backup QB job. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613495' first='Colt' last='Ayon']</strong> should see some action at RB in addition to his primary position at linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Cael has done a great job putting on some muscle,” Giacomo said. “He's also a track guy with a lot of speed. When he sees an opening, he's gone. We're looking forward to seeing what he can do. Harlem has great vision. He's not as fast as Cael but he has an opportunity to really help us and be that grinder.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267015' first='Elijah' last='Kenney']</strong> is Raton's top returning receiver. He had 25 receptions and 2 TD in 2024. Kenney is a quality possession receiver with a knack for making big plays. He'll be joined by juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680201' first='Luciano' last='Castillo']</strong> and <strong>Gage Alford</strong>. Senior <strong>Shane Ashley</strong> will be counted on as a reliable possession receiver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Raton's offensive line struggled last season with a lot of young players, but is expected to be much improved. Returning starters include 6-foot-5 senior <strong>Logan Elliott</strong>, junior <strong>Jonathan Decker</strong> and senior <strong>Christaval Ortega</strong>. Promising sophomore <strong>Oscar Olvera</strong> is competing for a starting job. &nbsp;The tight end will be 6-foot-1, 200-pound senior <strong>Jayden Padilla</strong>. He's an excellent blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We're looking for our offensive line to be a lot better this season,” Giacomo said. “We have some dudes that we haven't had in the past. We're looking forward to working with them. Logan has good size and he worked really hard in the offseason. He is much improved.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 3 Players: Santiago Castillo</strong> (DL), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604784' first='Cael' last='Walton']</strong> (DB), <strong>Jayden Padilla</strong> (DL/OLB)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior <strong>Santiago Castillo</strong> will anchor the Raton defense from his nose tackle spot. <strong>Jayden Padilla</strong> will play defensive end and sometimes OLB. He made 47 tackles from the edge in 2024. As mentioned, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613495' first='Colt' last='Ayon']</strong> will play MLB with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604784' first='Cael' last='Walton']</strong> at safety. Walton is Raton's top returning tackler with 66 last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Cael is very physical,” Giacomo said. “He's not shy about coming up and making hits. He's play centerfield for us.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680201' first='Luciano' last='Castillo']</strong> (42 tackles in 2024) will be an outside LB with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267015' first='Elijah' last='Kenney']</strong> (40 tackles in 2024) as the rover. <strong>Shane Ashley</strong> (37 tackles in 2024) will be one of the cornerbacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Raton Football Schedule:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 22 at Tohatchi (7 p.m.) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30 at Lamar (CO)(7 p.m.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 6 TRINIDAD (CO)(7 p.m.) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 12 Bye &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 19 ROBERTSON (7 p.m.) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 27 at St. Michael's (1 p.m.) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 3 LEGACY ACADEMY (7 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 10 at Tucumcari (7 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 17 at Capitan (7 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 24 SANTA ROSA (7 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 31 ESTANCIA (7 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* District 2A-2 Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our new district alignment <a href="https://t.co/FfBDPM28CK">pic.twitter.com/FfBDPM28CK</a></p>&mdash; Raton Football (@RatonFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RatonFootball/status/1730051939952480299?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->