Rams hitting road

PORTALES — Despite the No. 1 ranking in Class 4A and a 7-1 record, coach Jaime Ramirez maintains the Portales Rams aren’t about to overlook anyone.

Not even with longtime rival Lovington looming in the regular-season finale on Nov. 1 at Greyhound Stadium.

Instead, Ramirez said, the Rams are completely focused on this week’s District 3/4-4A matchup at Moriarty, which has struggled most of the season with a young squad.

“We’re one game at a time,” he said. “All we are concerned about this week is Moriarty.”

The Pintos (2-6, 0-1 district) have 10 freshmen and nine sophomores on their 34-man roster. Still, they had a 14-6 first-quarter lead in their matchup against Lovington on Friday before the Wildcats stormed back to post a 56-14 victory.

“They’re definitely young,” Ramirez said of the Pintos. “They have some young guys who are playing quite a bit. They’re a team that’s trying to get better every week.”

Operating mostly out of a wing-T offense, Moriarty keeps the ball on the ground the majority of the time.

Meantime, in Friday’s district-opening 26-14 win over Ruidoso at Greyhound Stadium, the Rams were outgained 343-330. They also had two extra points and a punt blocked in the contest.

Still, the defense forced six turnovers, including five interceptions, and kept the Warriors at bay most of the way. Several of the takeaways ended promising Ruidoso drives.

“We did give up some yards, but our defense played great, forcing those turnovers,” Ramirez said. “The boys definitely stepped up in key situations and made plays.

“We want to be clicking on all three phases of the game.”

Moriarty’s wins have been over Valencia (40-12) and Hot Springs (20-13), both at home. The Pintos are coming in on a two-game losing streak, while the Rams have won four in a row since their only loss of the season on Sept. 13 to Roswell Goddard.