Rams top Wolverines in weather-abbreviated tilt

Picking up where they left off before lightning delayed them a day, the Portales Rams shut out the Texico Wolverines 24-0 Saturday in a second abbreviated debut at the new Greyhound Stadium.

For the second straight day the contest was called early due to weather concerns, but this time the two teams had completed a full half and the score would be the final. Niether team was concerned that the weather played a role in what happened on the field.

“Always something, man, but you have to deal with adversity and do what you can do,” said Texico (0-1) head coach Ryan Autrey. “That didn’t affect us because it was only a couple of plays. It was almost like starting over.”

Staff photo: Dave Norton

Portales High quarterback Junior Ramirez escapes Texico’s Mason Golden on a quarterback keeper.

Rams (1-0) head coach Jaime Ramirez said, “I think it was a disruption for both teams. We both had to play through it and we ended up coming out witht he victory, but Texico played tough throughout the whole ball came and kept fighting.”

The Rams’ Darian Ontiveros led all players with over 100 yards rushing and had all three of Portales touchdowns. The highlight for the senior came in the second quarter where he broke free for an 89-yard touchdown run, outpacing several Texico defenders.

“We just practiced hard, routine stuff,” said Ontiveros, who scored on 1-yard run Friday before the second weather delay pushed the game to Saturday. “We wanted to come out and give these fans a good game for the first game in the new stadium. I feel like we did everything pretty well. We could have done a little better in some areas, but overall we played well.”

For the Wolverines, senior Mason Golden had a standout performance, playing both ways and even a little special teams too.

“He (Golden) is an athletic young man and we use him wherever we can and he does a good job for us. Hes the type where if you need him to carry it, he’ll carry it. If you need him to block, he’ll block. He is growing every week as a football player,” said Autrey.

Another player that was seemingly involved in every play was Portales’ Emilio Lovato. Playing both defense and offense, Golden didn't have too many stretches where his number wasn't heard over the public announcement system.

Ramirez said of Ontiveros and Lovato, “Great, great kids. They have been in my program since i started, so they’ve been starters since they were sophomores.They are both good leaders, both good kids who come from good families and just love the game of football. You can really tell that by the way they play.”

Next up for the Rams will be a trip to Lovington, where they will match up with the 0-1 Wildcats. Meanwhile, the Wolverines will head to Dexter High School to take on the 1-0 Demons. Both games kick off 7 p.m. Friday.