Rams seek fourth win

PORTALES — Losing a game by three touchdowns is never fun, even if it’s understandable.

The Portales Rams experienced just that, falling to Class 5A power Goddard 44-12 on Friday night. The polls indicate the loss was understandable, as the Rams (3-1) retained their first-place ranking in the New Mexico Overtime Sports Class 4A poll on Tuesday.

“I think that we were a little shell-shocked,” Portales coach Jaime Ramirez said of the loss. “We didn’t ever win the battle on the line of scrimmage. That is key, and they were physically much stronger.”

Friday’s opponent can certainly relate. St. Pius X comes into town, fresh off a bye week and coming off of last year’s 21-20 victory that put Portales at 2-3 before its turnaround last season.

Like Portales, the Sartans fell to Goddard by three scores. While Portales did become the first offense to score against the Rocket defense, the Sartans fell in a simple 21-0 season opener.

“We’re facing a team that’s very similar to us,” Ramirez said. “They’ve got good speed and the quarterback (Derek Rivera) is extremely shifty. He gets rid of the ball well.”

Defensively, Ramirez said the Sartans remind him of the Rams, as both units have good size and strength. The biggest key, he said, is to keep focus on Rivera.

“They make big plays on offense because he can buy time with his feet,” Ramirez said.

Following their bye next week, the Rams will go into what can be described as their most difficult stretch of the season with three of the next four games on the road. They’ll visit Capital Oct. 4, Dexter Oct. 11, host Ruidoso to open district play Oct. 18 and visit Moriarty Oct. 25.