Randall keeps Cats reeling, posts 35-10 win

CANYON, Texas — An early punt return by Canyon Randall put Clovis High’s football team in an early hole on Thursday night, and the Wildcats were unable to dig their way out of it.

Senior C.J. Hernandez returned the punt 73 yards for a score less than four minutes into the contest, and the Raiders never looked back in a 35-10 victory over the Wildcats.

Senior quarterback Nathan White threw for four touchdowns — including three in the second quarter to senior Nathan Baker — as the Raiders improved to 1-1 for the season.

Senior Samej Satchel got the Cats’ lone touchdown on a 15-yard run in the fourth quarter. Junior Kash Roberts put Clovis (0-3) on the board with a 26-yard field goal late in the first period.

While the Cats are trying to get their offense going, first-year coach Andrew McCraw said the defense has played well at times. Special teams have also hurt the team so far.

“The defense had two (interceptions) and forced a fumble,” McCraw said. “The defense is playing really hard; it’s just big plays (by the opponents) and special teams that are hurting us.”

Roberts’ field goal capped a 10-play, 72-yard drive and closed the margin to 7-3.

The first White-to-Baker connection came inside the first minute of the second stanza, covering 21 yards and capping an 11-play, 68-yard march. On their next possession, the Raiders made it 21-3 when the duo connected from 32 yards.

Late in the half, the Cats came up short on a fourth-down attempt just inside Randall territory. On the next play, Baker caught a 55-yard scoring pass from White for a 28-3 halftime advantage, a play in which McCraw said Baker was able to break several tackles.

White then found senior running back Dylan Ray for a 19-yard TD in the third quarter.

“The kids are battling and doing some good things,” McCraw said. “We need to keep improving and limit our mistakes.”

White was intercepted twice, but finished 13-of-17 through the air for 208 yards while Baker had seven catches for 139 yards.

Roberts was a workhorse in the backfield for the Cats, although he didn’t have much to show for it — 25 carries for 43 yards. Senior R.J. Nora caught two passes for 26 yards.

The team turns its attention to rival and former district foe Carlsbad this week. The Cats and Cavemen meet on Friday night at Carlsbad.

“I know their head coach (Oliver Soukup) really well; we worked together at Eastern (New Mexico University) for three years,” McCraw said. “They’re going to be tough, and we’ve got to go in there and match that toughness.”