Dejavu NOT!

The Robertson Cardinals almost gave their faithful a dejavu on Saturday afternoon in Raton when they took a 21-0 halftime lead only to give up that same margin in the third quarter and the Tigers the District 2AAA champion another chance at glory.  However, when the fourth quarter came, it showed why the heavy weights save their best for the championship rounds.  The Cards held the ball all but two minutes in the final period and scored with 46 ticks on the clock to secure the 28-21 victory, ensuring their third consecutive date to the big dance where they will meet another district rival, the St. Michaels Horsemen a team who defeated district rival Albuquerque Academy 21-0 at Brother Abdon field in Santa Fe.

The Cardinals got things going early and often when Jake Martinez found Chris Ellis from five yards out with 6:11 left in the first to give the Red Birds a 7-0 lead after Ellis tacked on the extra point.  On the next series for the Tigers, the Eastsiders recovered a lateral pass and the Cards set up shop deep in Tiger territory with 5: 26 left in the first.  The Boys from Fifth and Freidman struck again with 2:56 left in the opening period when Estevan Vigil took it in from one yard out, Ellis’ kick gave the Redbirds a 14-0 lead going into the second period.  Early in the second it would be senior Jesse Estrada who would reach paydirt 39 yard jaunt with 10:32 to go up 21-0 at the break.      

The Tigers had a hard time moving the ball on a windy Raton afternoon, which hindered their passing game, but Brock Walton must have given his team the most inspiring half time chat as the Black and Gold came ready for the second half.  The Tigers, who had the choice in the second half, chose to defer to get the wind at their backs a decision that paid dividends.  Starting on defense and pinning the Cards back deep, the Redbirds went three and out in the first series.  The Tigers capitalized and scored cutting the Cardinal lead 21-7.  The Eastsiders fumbled the ensuing kick off and gave the ball back to the Tigers on the 15 yard line.  The Tigers scored on the next play on a 15 yard pass from Jason Carlini to Eric Trujillo with 6:27, making it a game again at 21-14.  Carlini would call his own number with 1:07 to go as he sprinted 43 yards to the Promised Land and a 21-21 tie going into the final stanza.

The Cardinals owned the fourth quarter controlling the tempo and the time of possession scoring with 46 seconds to go when Estrada went in from 7 yards out, and giving the Cardinals a 28-21 victory.