Texico takes on Portales

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Texico has played two former district rivals so far, and is showing signs of being a good football team.

Portales has faced two quality foes so far, including longtime district rival Lovington, and the Rams are looking to get on track.

The teams meet in a 7 p.m. contest today at Greyhound Stadium.

Texico, playing its first road game, bounced back from a tough opening loss to trounce Tucumcari 47-6 last week. They dropped their opener to Santa Rosa 25-12 when the Lions’ Isaac Velasquez opened the game with an 88-yard touchdown return of the opening kickoff and finished it off late with a 30-yard interception return for a score.

“Besides two big plays against Santa Rosa, they could’ve easily won that game,” Rams coach Jaime Ramirez said. “And they handled Tucumcari pretty well.”

The Rams have had moments so far in road losses to Las Vegas Robertson and Lovington, but haven’t made enough plays to get in the win column.

Texico coach Ryan Autrey said his squad will have to contend with Portales’ depth.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” Wolverines coach Ryan Autrey said. “They’ve got some good athletes and some good speed. They’ve got a lot of guys they can roll in there, and we don’t have that.

“As long as we don’t get fatigued, I think we’ll be all right.”

Sophomore running back Mason Golden and senior quarterback Justin Rucker had big games for Texico last week. Each had two touchdowns, including one of more than 90 yards — a 95-yard run for Golden, a 92-yard interception return for Rucker.

Junior running back Bronte Staugaard had touchdown runs of 50 and 40 yards for the Rams at Lovington, but PHS missed out on two early scoring chances inside the Wildcats’ 10.

Paying attention to detail is a key for the Rams, Ramirez said.

“I think we’re close to being a good ballclub,” he said. “We just have to take care of the small things.”

Meantime, Autrey hopes the Wolverines can build off last week’s decisive win.

“We’ve got to contain their running game,” he said. “Offensively, we have to sustain drives and hold on to the football.

“From our perspective, we’ve just got to see how the kids respond (after the win). Hopefully, we’ll build off it and keep things going.”

GAMEDAY

Texico (1-1) at Portales (0-2)

When: 7 p.m. today

On the air: 105.9 KSEL-FM

Coaches: Texico, Ryan Autrey, 5th season, 39-19. Portales, Jaime Ramirez, 3rd season, 8-15.

Last week: The Wolverines pounded Tucumcari 47-6 at Texico. The Rams dropped a 28-12 decision at rival Lovington.

Last meeting: 2013, Portales posted a 14-7 victory at Texico. The teams have played in each of the last five seasons, with Texico leading the all-time series 3-2.

— Compiled by Dave Wagner