2024 Look Ahead: Portales Rams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When they weren't playing Lovington last season, the Portales Rams were a perfect 11-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But the Wildcats, who have since moved up to Class 5A, beat them twice, first in a hard-fought winner-take-all district championship game and then in the Class 4A state championship game four weeks later when Lovington cruised to a lopsided victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The memory of that latter loss is painfully etched in the minds of the Portales players and coaches and had provided plenty of motivation during the off-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Losing the way we did in that state championship game didn't set way with anybody,” Portales head coach Jaime Ramirez told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “The mission has been to get better as a team, especially when you get beat the way we did. We've gone back and looked at ways to improve and set new goals as a team. It's back to the basics, working hard in the weight room and working hard generally.” &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many of the Portales players who appeared in that game are back, starting with rising senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615523' first='Paxton' last='Culpepper']</strong>, one of the top dual threat signal callers in the state for the past two years. Few have been better. In two years as the Rams QB, Culpepper has thrown for nearly 5,000 yards, completed 59 percent of his passes and accounted for 77 TD. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Paxton and I spend a lot of time together watching film and talking through situations,” Ramirez said. “Paxton definitely loves the game and is willing to do whatever it takes to get better. He's a good leader on the offensive side of the ball.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top two running backs for the Rames last season graduate – [player_tooltip player_id='1103853' first='Zach' last='Radloff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='275478' first='Devin' last='Diaz']. Rising seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613751' first='Kaidyn' last='Cordova']</strong> and <strong>Dallas Lozano</strong> take over at RB. Lozano played primarily WILL linebacker last season after suffering an early season injury and missed several games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Portales must also replace the top three receivers from last season, including ENMU signee [player_tooltip player_id='591958' first='Zane' last='Mayberry']. Rising senior slot WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594674' first='Tommy' last='Lopez']</strong> (25 receptions for 329 yards and 5 TD) should be one of Culpepper's favorite target. After that, Portales will rely on a group of young receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Lopez has been starting since&nbsp; he was a freshman,” Ramirez said. “He has made a pretty big impact for our team on both sides of the ball. We're eying some guys to fill the other spots. We'll see how the summer shakes out with the workouts and 7-on-7. We'll be working some guys in those spots. We think at least one of them will step up. There's going to be a lot of competition.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four of the Rams' five starting offensive linemen from last season return. Rising senior <strong>Xavier Lujan</strong> and rising junior <strong>Tony Rodriguez</strong> both saw action at guard in 2023. Reliable center Edel Legarda graduates. Rising seniors <strong>Reuben Evans </strong>and <strong>Angel Contreras</strong> are battling to succeed him. Left tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594433' first='Gideon' last='Smith']</strong> and right tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118905' first='Rigoberto' last='Holguin']</strong> are back. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594603' first='Jaylon' last='Newburn']</strong> will be in the mix at offensive tackle as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Lujan started at nose tackle last year, while Holguin and Newburn rotated in at the two DE spots. All three should again play both ways in 2024. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big name to know on the Rams defense is MIKE LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613053' first='Manny' last='Chavez']</strong>, who enters his senior season with 385 career tackles, presenting him the opportunity to reach the rarified air of 500 career tackles. How rare is that feat? According &nbsp;to the NMAA record book, just ONE player (Darren Chavez, Santa Rosa) has amassed 500+ career tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lozano is expected to return at WILL linebacker. SAM LB Layton Faust graduates and should be replaced by Smith and possibly others. Both outside linebacker spots will also have newcomers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising seniors<strong> Jacob Valencia</strong>, who missed about half the 2023 season with an injury, and <strong>Xavier Tarpeh</strong> are expected to be the cornerbacks. Lopez will be the free safety. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Portales Football Schedule</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 23 at Goddard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30 LOVINGTON</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 6 at Bernalillo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 13 WEST LAS VEGAS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 21 at Manzano (Sat.)*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 27 VALENCIA*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 4 at Silver*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 11 ST. PIUS X*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 18 Bye</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 26 at Albuquerque Academy (Sat.)*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nov. 1 CHAPARRAL*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->