Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
The Portales Rams receivers run through drills Tuesday afternoon. On Saturday they play their first district game of the season against Hope Christian in Albuquerque.
STAFF WRITER
So far the season has gone perfectly for the Portales Rams. Now that district play begins this weekend, the Rams (6-0) travel to Albuquerque for their toughest competition so far to take on the District 4-4A Hope Christian Huskies (5-1).
Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Portales coach Jaime Ramirez said the Rams would be paying special attention to quarterback Caleb Meyer-Hagen.
“He’s the best athlete on their team,” Ramirez said. “We have to contain Meyer-Hagen and control his timing in terms of giving him less time to throw.”
So far Meyer-Hagen has completed about 70 percent of his throws for 930 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions. He’s also second on the team in rushing with 48 carries for 307 yards and five touchdowns.
link The Portales Rams receivers run through drills Tuesday afternoon. On Saturday they play their first district game of the season against Hope Christian in Albuquerque.
Marcus Medina is the leading Hope rusher with 74 carries for 361 yards and five touchdowns. Deshawn Lee leads the Huskies with 24 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns while Isaiah Escajeda has 13 catches for 277 yards and five touchdowns.
Regarding Hope’s game plan, coach Gary Beck says the Huskies will be focusing on both Bronte Staugaard and Junior Ramirez.
“They’re both great runners,” Beck said. “Very fast and shifty, meaning they can quickly change directions. You better have your shoulders square when you tackle them because if you don’t they’ll run right by you.”
Ramirez and Staugaard have a combined 175 carries for 1,333 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. Staugaard also has nine receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns while Ramirez is 41-64 for 652 yards, nine touchdowns and just one interception.
Even though this is a district game, coach Ramirez said nothing’s changed regarding the preparation for their upcoming opponent.
“It’s business as usual,” Ramirez said. “We need to remind ourselves that it’s just another game and once we get on the field just take care of business.”
Last year the Rams defeated the Huskies 59-20 at home. Staugaard ran 22 times for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Meyer-Hagen completed eight passes for 137 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions and ran 17 times for 212 yards.
