Tigers attack in first game back
THS defeats Raton, 21-14
After a long wait, New Mexico announced that high school sports have returned to the fields and courts, and on Saturday (March 13), the Taos High School Tigers defeated the Raton Tigers 21-14 in their first game back on the gridiron.
Teeming with the excitement and adrenaline of getting back on Anaya field, the Taos Tigers were ready to play after the long pandemic delay to the season. The THS Tigers quickly jumped to a 14-0 first-half lead.
The second half was more of a challenge for THS as Raton’s halftime adjustments brought them charging back to within striking distance of the Taos Tigers. Determined to hold their rightful place as champions, with a tie game and 8 seconds on the clock, quarterback Daemon Ely launched the ball downfield to wide receiver Missael Hermosillo. Hermosillo caught the ball in the end zone for a last-second, game-winning touchdown.
The Taos Tigers haven’t been able to play on their home field since last year, due to the extended COVID-19 shutdowns: “488 days ago we lost; 489th day we win,” said Coach Abreu, Jr. “It’s a damn good feeling.”
Though Abreu expressed his pride in his team and their victory on the field, he was even more proud of their perseverance off the field.
“The boys had a lot of grit and perseverance through the adversity that we have had to face,” he said. “They met the expectation and pulled it out when they needed to the most ... They deserve [this win] after all the hard work they have put in to overcome the obstacles that have been put in their way.”
With his first game as starting quarterback, Ely had a lot of pressure on his shoulders. “It was nerve wracking,” said Ely. “But I trusted my team and the offense of my coaches. I trusted the process and it works.”
It’s all built on belief in your team, agreed Missael Hermosillo. “We played strong and let God give us the win.”
Though the victory is a welcome and long-overdue feeling for the Taos Tigers, the team recognizes there are many challenges on the road ahead.
“We have a lot of stuff to work on. We just have to execute what we know how to do better,” said Ely.
The Taos Tigers will play Saint Mike’s next Saturday (March 20) on Anaya field.