Silver overpowers Rams in 4A playoff tilt

Portales scored more points than each of Silver’s last five opponents, but it wasn’t nearly enough as the Colts beat the Rams 61-14 Saturday afternoon in a Class 4A state quarterfinal game in Silver City.

The sixth-seeded Rams got on the board in the first quarter when Bronte Staugaard scored on a 55-yard pass from Matt Martinez.

However, little went right from there as the third-seeded Colts (8-3) ran off 41 points between the first and third quarters.

The Rams’ other scored came in the third quarter on a 45-yard pass from Matt Martinez to Paul Conrow.

Portales coach Jamie Ramirez thought his team played well, but just faced better competition.

“They dominated us on the line of scrimmage,” Ramirez said. “They beat us in all facets of the game. They were bigger than us and they showed it.”

The Rams reached the second round of the playoffs for the first time in four years.

“We had a good season,” Ramirez said. “The one thing you want to make sure of is that you improve with every game you play, and we did that this season, so I’m proud of the boys.”

The Rams (7-5) won sixth of their last seven regular-season games after starting the season 0-3. The also second in District 4-4A behind Ruidoso.

The Rams will lose 17 players to graduation before next season, including receivers Paul Conrow and John Young, linebacker Miguel Garza and Martinez, who threw for 1,536 yards , ran for 927, and accounted for offensive 26 TDs. He also collected six interceptions as a safety.

“Matt Martinez did a lot for the program,” Ramirez said. “This year, he was a leader throughout the entire season on both sides of the ball and guys fed off his leadership. All of our seniors did a great job this season and I’m proud of all of them.”