Rams test Ruidoso tonight in district football

The Portales Rams can take a big step toward their goal of defending their District 4-3A championship as they travel to play the Ruidoso Warriors tonight (7 p.m.) at the midway point of the Rams district schedule.

“The records are over,” second-year Ram head coach Andy Correll said. “We’re 1-0 and that’s how (we’re) thinking.”

According to the Rams coaching staff, the Warriors mix an effective option offense with a productive passing game.

“They try to lull you to sleep with the (fullback) dive and then all of a sudden the quarterback is keeping it on the outside with the pitch man,” Correll said. “And then they also throw the ball pretty decent so they’re pretty well-rounded. We’re going to have to try to hold them down and force them into three-and-outs.”

Correll also talked about the dangers of a good option offense taking advantage of a non-disciplined defense.

“If you’re not very disciplined defensively, they’ll burn you, so we’re going to really stick to our assignments and read our keys.”

Ruidoso (3-5, 0-1) lost their district opener last Friday night at Lovington 19-6.

“We showed the kids that film,” Correll said. “We feel like we are the better team but we still have to step onto the field and prove it.”

The Rams (2-6, 1-0) dominated their first district game last week at New Mexico Military Institute, beating the Colts 60-0, a game that Correll believes infused his team with the confidence they’ve been missing.

“You can just see confidence growing with big hits and forced turnovers,” Correll said.

Senior quarterback Chris Mosier (ankle) is expected to start after missing the Rams’ district opener.

“This is the part of the year we’ve been working hard to get to,” Correll said. “The meter is turned up a little bit and the kids are working hard. They’re starting to believe in themselves despite our record.”