2025 Team Preview: Rio Rancho Rams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 RIO RANCHO PREVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since reaching the Clas 6A state championship game in 2021, Rio Rancho has advanced to the quarterfinals twice (2022, 24) and the semifinals once (2023). So, it shouldn't be a surprise to know the Rams are eager to get back to playing on Thanksgiving weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Our biggest message to our players is paying attention to details, having great work ethic and being accountable,” Rio Rancho head coach Nate Pino told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We're trying to build leaders and not settling for less than our best. We have talent. We always do. We have the ability to compete. In every game, four or five plays usually make the difference. We need to win in those key moments.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3 Players To Watch:</strong> QB [player_tooltip player_id='1604705' first='Micah' last='Takahashi'], RB Ethan Rolon, WR [player_tooltip player_id='1266408' first='Parker' last='Miller'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising junior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604705' first='Micah' last='Takahashi']</strong> was one of 2024's breakout players of the year in Class 6A. Takahashi began the year as a reserve running back but by midseason he was starting at QB. He ended up throwing for 765 yards and 8 TD and rushing for 735 yards and 9 TD, including 4 games with 100+ yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Micah got an opportunity and played very well,” Pino said. “Micah is definitely our guy to start the season. He's a dynamic player. We're excited about him. He's an athlete. He's been throwing the ball well. He's a dynamic runner, for sure.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising senior <strong>Ethan Rolon</strong> will be the top running back for the Rams,. He is expected to get a majority of the carries at the outset of the season with younger, less experienced running backs behind him on the roster. But it's difficult to go through a full season with just one running back, so rising sophomore <strong>Eli Vigil</strong> (younger brother of former Rio Rancho standout RB Zach Vigil) and rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604701' first='Marcus' last='Briggs']</strong> should get opportunities as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266408' first='Parker' last='Miller']</strong> was Rio Ranchos' No. 2 WR in 2024 when he caught 43 passes for 683 yards but he'll ascend to the No. 1 spot as a senior. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1748631' first='Damian' last='Martinez']</strong>, who saw action last season as a defensive back, will play some slot receiver, while rising junior <strong>Gilbert Terrazas</strong> is a promising outside receiver. Pino said four or five other receivers could find themselves in the mix as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Parker is explosive and a great athlete,” Pino said. “He's been looking good in our offseason workouts. He's be our primary guy.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rio Rancho will rely on some new starters along the offensive line. Six-foot-2, 250-pound <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1126211' first='Brayden' last='Davidson']</strong>, entering his third season as a starter, is a next level talent and will be the leader of the unit. He will move to left tackle. Rising senior <strong>Traevon Sewell</strong> played guard last season while 6-foot-3 rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248666' first='Daniel' last='Cardenas']</strong> moves from the defensive line to perhaps playing both ways in 2025. He has the size to play tackle. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3 Players To Watch</strong>: DE [player_tooltip player_id='1604734' first='Jacari' last='Smith'], LB [player_tooltip player_id='1679938' first='Wyatt' last='Nyholm'], DB Quinteen McKinley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If rising junior defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604734' first='Jacari' last='Smith']</strong> builds on his highly productive 2024 season when he had 61 tackles, 9 TFL, 8 sacks and 13 QB hurries, he'll become a superstar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Jacari is definitely going to be an All-State caliber guy for us this year,” Pino said. “He's extremely explosive. He's bulked up a little bit since last season.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six-foot-4 basketball standout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1606137' first='Noah' last='Lovato']</strong> had 50 tackles last season as a defensive end and outside linebacker in his first season playing football. He's another Ram who could emerge as an All-State player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679938' first='Wyatt' last='Nyholm']</strong> takes over at inside linebacker. Rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1684446' first='Juaquin' last='Nunez']</strong> will be one of the outside linebackers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1684490' first='Remington' last='Smith']</strong> will also play some OLB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Juaquin has had a heckuva offseason in the weight room,” Pino said. “He'll make some plays.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The secondary is probably Rio Rancho's most experienced defensive position. Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137902' first='Quintenn' last='McKinley']</strong> returns at cornerback. Another rising senior, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851863' first='Jordan' last='Gould']</strong> is one of the best athletes on the Rams. He's attracting next level interest. In fact, the 6-foot-1 Gould could play some wide receiver as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1748631' first='Damian' last='Martinez']</strong> (see above) should go both ways and play safety along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604701' first='Marcus' last='Briggs']</strong> (see above). Rising junior Speedster <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1269698' first='Julian' last='Marquez']</strong> is a name to know.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Rio Rancho Football Schedule:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 22 ATRISCO HERITAGE, 7 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 29 CLOVIS, 7 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 4 at Las Cruces (Thur., 7 p.m.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 12 CENTENNIAL, 7 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 19 at El Paso (TX) Eastlake, TBA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 26 Bye</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 3 at Cibola, 7 p.m.*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 9 at Piedra Vista (Thur., 6 p.m.)*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 17 at Volcano Vista, 7 p.m.*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 24 FARMINGTON, 7 p.m.*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 31 CLEVELAND, 6 p.m.*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* District 6A-1 Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2nd Team - All Metro WR (Greater Albuquerque which includes both teams that played in the State Championship) <a href="https://t.co/fxsVElYbQ9">pic.twitter.com/fxsVElYbQ9</a></p>&mdash; Arthur F Miller (@Arthur_F_Miller) <a href="https://twitter.com/Arthur_F_Miller/status/1863792798610452535?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Check out my junior season highlights! <a href="https://t.co/Msng7Q2LT3">https://t.co/Msng7Q2LT3</a><a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RR_Rams_Athlete?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RR_Rams_Athlete</a></p>&mdash; Ethan_6 (@ethan_rolon) <a href="https://twitter.com/ethan_rolon/status/1893839043953111120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='1126211' first='Brayden' last='Davidson'] Junior Year Highlights<br>All 12 Varsity Games played!<br>6'3 240<br>Both way player!<br>RT/LT/DT<br>Good hands and Fast Feet<a href="https://t.co/LwtV9VlFew">https://t.co/LwtV9VlFew</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/natemp83?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@natemp83</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_SRamirez?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_SRamirez</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/The_Coach_Boyle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@The_Coach_Boyle</a> @coachbuttsUNM <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJohnstonOL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachJohnstonOL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachKelleyLee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachKelleyLee</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1126211' first='Brayden' last='Davidson'] (@brayden_boat) <a href="https://twitter.com/brayden_boat/status/1859312876793770280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/IQSq22pksS">https://t.co/IQSq22pksS</a><br><br>First 5 Varsity Games Sophomore Year. CO27 #24</p>&mdash; Julian “Jewls” Marquez (@JewlsJulian) <a href="https://twitter.com/JewlsJulian/status/1838755858039136368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->