Rams, Wildcats ready to roll

The Portales Rams started their 2015 campaign with a great showing by their defense en route to a victory over Robertson. Tonight the Rams can show that their defensive performance wasn’t a fluke as they host the Lovington Wildcats.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Blackwater Draw.

Last season at Lovington, the Wildcats beat Portales 28-12. Here are some of the keys, based on available game information from each team’s opener:

A strong rushing attack: While the Rams ran through the Robertson Cardinals last Friday, the Bears did the same to Lovington. Estancia ran 50 times for 271 total yards and three touchdowns.

In last year’s game at Lovington, Bronte Staugaard was responsible for the majority of the Ram offense as he ran the ball 15 times for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Staugaard — who has rushed for 277 yards and four scores in his two career games against Lovington — will once again need to be the focus of the offense against Lovington.

Just enough passing: Estancia’s quarterback Isaiah Chavez did not have a good game passing as he completed just one of five throws for 25 total yards and two interceptions. However it was those few passes did keep the Wildcat defense honest. Chavez also ran the ball nine times for 15 yards and did score a rushing touchdown.

If PHS quarterback Junior Ramirez has a performance similar to last week’s win, finishing 7-of-10 though the air for 40 yards to go along with 63 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns without any turnovers, the Rams should be in good position for another win.

Ball-hawking defenders: In addition to Estancia scoring three rushing touchdowns, the Bears scored their other touchdown via an interception return. Adam Lujan picked off two Lovington passes for a total of 55 return yards.

Against Robertson, Portales had similar defensive numbers, intercepting three passes with Emilio Lovato coming away with two of them. If Portales plays like it did against Robertson, or like Estancia did against the Wildcats, it has a great chance at ending the night 2-0.

Lovington (0-1) at Portales (1-0)

7 p.m. Friday

On the air: KSEL-FM 105.9 FM.

Last week: Portales defeated Robertson 26-13. Estancia defeated Lovington 32-27.

Coaches: Portales, Jaime Ramirez, fourth season, 16-18. Lovintgon, Jamie Quinones, 10th season 59-48.

Last meeting: 2014, Lovington 28-12. Lovington leads the all-time series 46-18-2 and has won 24 of the last 27.