Goddard pummels Portales, 28-0

ROSWELL — Friday’s night game at Goddard can be chalked up as a learning experience for Portales football. However, that learning experience meant getting schooled by the 5A Rockets, in a 28-0 defeat.

“I thought our defense played well all night long, but we kept giving up field position the entire time,” Rams coach Jaime Ramirez said. “We just couldn’t get anything going on offense. We would have a really nice play, and then we’d commit a holding penalty.

“The defense stepped up, but now we need to get all areas to do the same. It’s the same kids (that play on both sides of the ball), but now it’s just a matter of getting it done.”

Portales (2-2) and Goddard (3-0-1) were scoreless after the first quarter, but then some Ram mistakes opened the door for the Rockets to take control of the ballgame.

The Rams’ offensive woes gave Goddard plenty of short field, including on the Rockets’ first score. That drive resulted in a 9-yard touchdown run with 6:18 left to play in the half. Fumbling has been a little bit of an issue for the Rams offense through the first four weeks, and it bit them again on Goddard’s second score of the night.

The Rams fumbled inside of the Rockets’ 30, which led to a long Goddard drive — which included a pair of fourth down conversions. Goddard finally found the end zone with just two seconds left in the half, after a short touchdown pass.

From there, the Rockets would score twice more in the third quarter, to put Portales away for good.

“In the second half, (Goddard) wore us down quite a bit,” Ramirez said. “They were strong and physical, and we just couldn’t get anything going on offense. It didn’t matter what we called. Our quarterback didn’t have much time to throw, even when he had a three-step drop.”

Needless to say, Ramirez sees this upcoming week as an open competition. This is especially true in one key area.

“I saw some guys step up for us, and they now have a chance to get more playing time and maybe even get the starting job next week,” Ramirez explained. “Especially on the offensive line. We have to get a lot better there.”

Portales will face St. Pius in Albuquerque next Saturday evening, before it embarks on a bye week.