Past Rams expect adversity in 4A title game

PORTALES — Trying to break a seven-year drought, the Portales High football team will meet Robertson Saturday to decide who will walk away as Class 4A state champions.

The Eastern New Mexico News reached out to several former Ram players who still follow their alma mater and anticipate Saturday’s matchup.

Cippy Garcia, who played at Portales from 1987-89, was a running back during the 1988 state title season. While he and his family haven’t been able to attend a game this year, the former Ram follows them online and, weather permitting, will be in attendance for this weekend’s state championship game.

“They should be able to take care of business Saturday,” said Garcia. “Robertson has been a thorn in their side for the last couple of years.”

Robertson has indeed proved problematic for the Rams, having knocked them out of post-season play in 2015 during the semi-finals. The teams have played each other 15 times in the previous 10 seasons; Robertson has won 10, including all five of the postseason battles.

Garcia’s advice to the current Rams?

“Just go out and play with their heart,” he said. “Things will go wrong, but stick together as a team and you can overcome it. That’s what we always did. Having a short memory is helpful too.”

Arturo Ontiveros, a member of the rams from 1992-94, was not fortunate enough to be part of a championship team. As both a linebacker and fullback, Ontiveros played when Portales was in a district with Artesia, Goddard and Lovington — when they “had their good years” and dominated the state playoffs.

With an even closer connection the current roster, Ontiveros is Darion Ontiveros’ uncle and currently an assistant principal at Portales High School.

When asked how this year’s team stacks up with those in the past, Ontiveros said, “It is a lot different now, a very different game. People spread people out now. When I played it was more smash-mouth, line up and hit each other. We would get two or three yards a play, maybe throw it three times a game. Now, they will throw it three or four times a series. It’s much more diverse now.”

The elder Ontiveros also pointed out the Rams haven’t met many teams that play like Robertson.

“It’s going to be a physical game, Robertson is a very physical team,” Ontiveros said. “It is going to be a game where (the Rams) are going to have to overcome adversity.”