Ramirez impressed by Ruidoso

PORTALES - Never mind that Ruidoso has dropped its first two games of the season ... and by a combined score of 91-32, no less.

Portales High football coach Jaime Ramirez expects the Warriors to be the best team the Rams have played to date.

"We believe they're a good football team," Ramirez said. "Ruidoso is much better than the previous two teams we've played."

PHS, the defending Class 4A state champion, is off to a solid start after whipping New Mexico Military 21-0 and, last Friday, Dexter 34-6. Both tilts were played at Greyhound Stadium, and now the Rams face the first of two road trips to end the abbreviated regular season.

Ruidoso, a regular district foe for Portales, lost at Lovington 54-20 in its opener and then was trounced 37-12 at home on Friday by Class 5A Alamogordo.

"Lovington jumped on them early; they created some quick scores on special teams," Ramirez said. "Alamogordo is just a pretty good football team."

The Tigers opened a 24-6 halftime lead at Ruidoso and were never seriously threatened.

Junior Griffin Hooker, listed as a tight end/defensive tackle on the Warriors' roster, stepped in at quarterback against Alamo and played fairly well.

"I think with Hooker, they throw the ball a lot better," he said.

Top running backs are junior Braxton Fox and senior Gerardo Nunez. Ramirez said the Warriors rotate players at the receiver positions.

Asked if there was a chance the Rams could be peaking ahead to next week's matchup at rival Lovington, Ramirez emphatically nixed the thought.

"We play them one at a time," he said. "This is the one game this week that's most important to us.

"We don't overlook anybody; that's not the way we play. All we care about is being 1-0 on Saturday."

He said while the Rams have played relatively well so far, notably on defense, they want to keep going.

"I'm pleased with the way we've played," he said. "But we still have some improvements to make in all three phases."