Sights and Sounds: Rio Rancho Scrimmage Jamboree

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RIO RANCHO</strong> – The Rio Rancho Rams hosted La Cueva and Sandia in a three-team scrimmage Wednesday night in front of several hundred fans at Rams Stadium.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first half of the scrimmage saw each team's offense continually rotate onto the field, running &nbsp;six ‘official' plays (penalties excluded) against one of the other teams' defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore (2027) QB <strong>Jahleel Harris</strong> led the Sandia offense as he begins his first season as the Matadors' starting signal caller. Harris showed flashes of his potential. He has a very good group of receivers at his disposal led by senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119683' first='Joey' last='Harris']</strong>. Sandia opens the 2024 season next Thursday night by hosting Piedra Vista at Wilson Stadium in Albuquerque. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As expected, Arizona State commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611098' first='Cameron' last='Dyer']</strong> was dynamic throwing the football as La Cueva's second-year starting QB. Dyer has a powerful and accurate arm and a very talented receiving corps catching his passes. Junior speedster <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853013' first='Tanner' last='Montano']</strong> should have a huge season for the Bears. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second half of the scrimmage featured a 45-minute skirmish between Rio Rancho and Sandia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We started the night out a little slow,” Pino told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “There was a lot of officiating going on. That kind of bogged things down. We need to be more physical up front on defense. We were quick. Offensively, when we played with a little tempo, we played the way we want to.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At times, the Rio Rancho offense looked in mid-season form behind senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613752' first='JJ' last='Arellano']</strong>, who missed the beginning of last season before taking over the Rams offense in the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Once we got rolling and we got to playing football the way we want and moving around, he did a great job,” Pino said. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wide receivers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259000' first='Jace' last='Pitt']</strong> (senior) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266408' first='Parker' last='Miller']</strong> (junior) both made sensational catches during the scrimmage against Sandia. Miller's reception was a one-handed grab off a deflection by a Sandia defender in the middle of the end zone. Pitt has been offered by Western New Mexico.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We have some playmakers on the outside,” Pino said. “We definitely have more speed and athleticism than we've had the last couple of years. Jace is going to open some eyes. He's a heckuva player. Parker is dynamic. He is very fast. He's our speedster. We're excited about what we have with him.” &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The scrimmage also marked the latest chapter in the ongoing running back battle between junior <strong>Ethan Rolon</strong> and sophomore <strong>James ‘Juice' Barreras</strong>. Both are vying to replace the tough and physical Rayce Ramirez as the Rams' top ball carrier. However, both could play as most teams typically require two RBs to make it through a season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We have 1A and 1B at running back,” Pino said. “Right now, they're competing. Both will contribute. It's a long season. We're going to rely on both those guys. They know what they're doing. They both bring different things to the table. James get a little more downhill and Ethan is a more of scatback, speed guy. The box was a little heavy tonight, but we did okay.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rio Rancho has a very experienced offensive line and they showed it Wednesday night, particularly in pass protection. Pino wants to see them get more “nasty” in the run game, though.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We have to fight for every blade of grass,” Pino said. “Our offensive line sets the tone for our football team. We have good leadership there.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rio Rancho opens the 2024 season next Thursday night against former district rival Atrisco Heritage at Community Stadium. The Jaguars are extremely athletic and are led by senior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1021201' first='Landon' last='Griego']</strong> and two-sport standout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611116' first='Latavious' last='Morris']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Atrisco is always very athletic,” Pino said. “We'll see if we can get to the quarterback. We're excited for the challenge.”  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 1: Scrimmage - Rio Rancho vs. Sandia (Part 1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/92hjYD2oLAQ?si=OrCPHWoLQ9walVRc","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/92hjYD2oLAQ?si=OrCPHWoLQ9walVRc </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 2: Scrimmage - Rio Rancho vs. Sandia (Part 2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/0op8w6iBIrs?si=l3Jq1lsNw122_Eqc","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/0op8w6iBIrs?si=l3Jq1lsNw122_Eqc </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 3: Varsity Segment 1 (Rotate Every 6 Plays)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/R87KDYdgy9M?si=ZYhkBFSxkzX35HGt","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/R87KDYdgy9M?si=ZYhkBFSxkzX35HGt </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 4: Varsity Segment 2 (Rotate Every 6 Plays)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/7UfLDm3bbqQ?si=ytdIcSYuMw3q54nW","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/7UfLDm3bbqQ?si=ytdIcSYuMw3q54nW </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 5: Junior Varsity </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/SvjdfuSKCJ0?si=h-wN7E96KU7ZdfwM","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/SvjdfuSKCJ0?si=h-wN7E96KU7ZdfwM </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->