Rams looking to build on solid '22 season

PORTALES – While the Rams are coming off a strong season, senior wide receiver Andru Ontiveros is hoping Portales High's football team can go a little farther this fall.

The Rams began workouts on Monday in preparation for their 2023 opener against Highland in Albuquerque on August 19. This week, they have a 5:30 p.m. scrimmage on tap Friday against Las Vegas Robertson at the PHS practice facility.

"I feel like we have a lot of talent on our team," Ontiveros said. "We've been working hard. We have 20 or so seniors out, so that's a good sign."

The Rams were 9-3 last season, winning their first six games before losing to Valley 48-47 at Albuquerque. They lost to Lovington 20-14 at Greyhound Stadium in the battle for the District 4-4A title in the regular-season finale, then polished off St. Pius before falling to the rival Wildcats again in the 4A quarterfinals.

At 5-foot, 8 ½ inches, Ontiveros has added a little height and about 14 pounds to his frame. He says he expects to have more of a leadership role this season, but other than that things are about the same.

"All our receivers play a pretty big role," he said. "I've gotten a lot stronger, so that should help me with blocking. And I've gotten a lot faster."

Jaime Ramirez, beginning his 12th season at the helm, noted that Ontiveros is one of several senior third-year starters for the program. The main challenge right now is finding new players for several positions in the offensive line.

"We have most of our skill guys back," said Ramirez, who guided PHS to 4A state crowns in 2016 and 2019. "The O-line is what we have to shore up. We have to get that chemistry working where everybody is playing fast."

Ramirez said the Rams are hoping to have as few players as possible going both ways. That's a work in progress.

"I want to two-platoon as much as possible," he said. "I'd love to have 11 different starters on offense and defense. That's the goal."

Except for changing sites, the Rams' schedule is the same as a year ago, except they've replaced a visit to Pojoaque with a trip to Eunice in September.

The Rams routed Pojoaque 54-0 last year. Even though Eunice is two classes down from the Rams in Class 2A, the Cardinals should provide more of a challenge than the Elks, who backed out of this year's rematch at home.

"Eunice will be a better ballgame, for sure," Ramirez said. "I don't like playing down two classes. I'd rather play up. But we had to find a game."

As for what to expect this season, Ramirez Is staying with his usual game-by-game philosophy.

"Our goal is to get better each and every day, to give great effort every day and to love each other like family."