In one of the biggest games of the season, Tatum wide receiver Cristian Marizcal came up big when his team needed him most, earning him the News-Sun Athlete of the Week, brought to you by First American Bank.
The senior caught eight passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns as the Coyotes rallied from a 21 point deficit to beat Mountainair 35-28 and book a spot in the 8-Man state championship game.
Marizcal’s first touchdown was a 14-yard reception late in the second quarter to cut the Coyotes’ deficit to 28-21.
He then caught another 14 yard TD reception midway through the third quarter to tie the game at 28-28. In the fourth quarter, with 3:44 left to play, Marizcal caught a 40-yard TD pass that gave Tatum its first lead of the game.
Marizcal and the Coyotes now move on to play Gateway Christian for the 8-man state championship on Saturday at Herb Pior Field.