Miller, Takahashi create magic in win over Cibola 25-15

ALBUQUERQUE — While hot air balloons weren’t filling the sky quite yet, Parker Miller and Micah Takahashi put on a fiesta of their own on Friday night.

In a 25-15 win over Cibola, the Rams' offense sparked to life late in the game with 23 second-half points.

“It felt good. I feel like we needed the bye week to just reset, reflect and improve on the week. So it was a pretty good game,” Miller, the senior wide receiver, said. “We came out a little slow, but we got everything going in at halftime, and I feel like we came out and executed very well in the second.”

Miller tallied two touchdowns on the night, his fifth multi-score game of the season. He opened up the second half with a 25-plus-yard over-the-shoulder catch via a beautiful ball from Micah.

It would be wrong to talk about this game without mentioning the Rams' defense as well. Rio Rancho’s defensive unit did not allow a touchdown until there was less than four minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Rio Rancho had multiple stops in the red zone, including great pressure to stop the Cougars’ two-QB system. In the secondary, junior Julian Marquez provided great coverage as senior Quintenn McKinley recorded his fourth interception of the year to halt a driving Cibola offense.

While the stat sheet pops in multiple areas for the Rams, it was not the prettiest game by any means. Heading into halftime at 3-3, both teams committed a plethora of penalties and self-inflicted wounds that stunted any offensive momentum, a problem that has haunted Rio Rancho in several games this year.

A sea of yellow flags aside, the Rams' biggest error would come following the Miller score. Sitting at 11-3, Takahashi would toss one up right to Cibola linebacker Mack Cash as he would take it all the way for a score. Now 11-9, the Rams had given the Cougars new life.

Luckily for Rio Rancho, Takahashi and Miller would save their best for when they needed it most. A driving Rams offense would find itself amid a big third down from the 5-yard line.

Who did Micah look to on the pivotal play?

Parker. Toe tap. Six on the board.

In arguably his most impressive score of the year, Takahashi found Miller right before the sideline on a perfect strike. Throwing a punch back at the Cougs, the Rams extended the lead back to 18-9.

"We always have a theme of the week, so this week was to endure,” Miller said. ”I feel like that was just perfect for this week. The coaches preached that all week, and we had to endure what was happening. Know what our assignments are, and we came out and executed."

Momentum was back on the Rams’ side, but they weren’t out of the woods quite yet. A great punt from Cibola set up Rio Rancho at their own 1-yard line.

So naturally, Micah Takahashi took it 95 yards on the ground for a score.

TOUCHDOWN: Rio RanchoMicah Takahashi. Wheels.He takes a designed run 90+ yards for a score, delivering a dagger to the Cougars chances.PAT is good, 25-9 RR. 5:40 Q4 @RRObserver

— Dan Allison (@danlallison) October 4, 2025

Just when the Cougars thought they had taken Takahashi out of the equation, the junior quarterback delivered the dagger with his signature speed.

“He’s amazing. He's so versatile,” Miller said. “We have a great offensive line, so it gives him time in the pocket to work, so it opens a lot of the plays in the playbook. So it's really nice.”

With Micah and Parker accounting for all three touchdowns, this QB-WR duo may create problems going forward for the rest of the 6A district.

Now back in the win column, the Rams will hit the road once again next week for a Thursday matchup against Piedra Vista. Kickoff from Farmington is set for 6 p.m.

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