Rams looking to bounce back

The Portales Rams figure they can be competitive. In order to do that, though, they have to stop turning the ball over.

Joshua Lucero: CMI photo

Portales Rams quarterback Paul Conrow gets off a pass over Muleshoe's James Mendoza during the fourth quarter of last Friday's game at Muleshoe. The Rams return to action tonight with a 7 p.m. contest at Texico.

The Rams have dropped their first two games — in decidedly different fashion — but one thing has stood out about both: PHS was guilty of six turnovers in each one.

"I think it's going to come down to whoever executes on offense," first-year Rams coach Jaime Ramirez said. "We have to do a better job of taking care of the ball. We have to minimize our turnovers and penalties."

The Rams are coming off a 64-0 shellacking at Muleshoe last week. Meantime, Texico had an open date after blanking Dexter 19-0 in its season opener on Aug. 31.

The teams are meeting for the fourth year in a row and, while Texico has won two of the previous three, Wolverines coach Ryan Autrey expects his team to face a significant challenge.

"When you've got about 100 kids to choose from, there's going to be 11 on the field that can play the game," Autrey said of the Rams. "Their skill kids are quick, and they run well."

The game was scheduled for Greyhound Stadium, but due to a lightning storm last week some of the stadium lights are not up and running. Thus, the teams agreed this week to move the game.

Autrey said he's enjoyed the rivalry between his Class 2A squad and the Class 3A Rams.

"I think this will be a great game for us," he said. "It'll kind of tell us where we're at.

"They've got good size up front. Where I think we have a little advantage is we've got five guys up front that have been playing since they were sophomores.

Ramirez, meantime, is simply looking for progress from a squad which returned only one starter from last season.

"We're a very young team," he said. "We're looking to get better each and every week to get ready for our district.

"They're (Wolverines) a very disciplined team. They run the ball well and they run screens well."

FYI

What: Portales (0-2) at Texico (1-0)

When: 7 p.m. today

Last week: Portales lost at Muleshoe 64-0. Texico had an open date.

Last year: The Rams posted a 32-28 victory over the Wolverines in Texico.