Rams hold off Panthers, take tough win

RIO RANCHO 36, PIEDRA VISTA 33

RIO RANCHO — It wasn’t pretty, but the Rio Rancho Rams (5-2, 2-0 in 6A-1) managed to hold off Piedra Vista (1-6, 0-2 in 6A-1) in a 36-33 win at Rams Stadium on Friday night despite a second-half comeback attempt from the Panthers.

It was a clash of sophomore quarterbacks as Rio’s Micah Takahashi faced off against Piedra Vista’s Reuben Marquez, who is just returning from a leg injury.

Takahashi got the start for the third game in a row. He threw for one touchdown and ran for two more. Running back James Barreras was the receiver on Takahashi’s touchdown. Barreras had two total touchdowns on the night.

The Rams saw a new face in the endzone. Junior Ethan Rolon scored a touchdown on a 5-yard run up the right side with time expiring in the second quarter.

At halftime, the Rams were in control, leading 23-3.

The Panthers received the ball at the start of the second half.

Marquez showed no signs of lingering effects from his broken leg and managed to drive down the field on several QB runs, finishing with a 10-yard touchdown pass to senior running back Brig Keiser.

Rams QB JJ Arrellano came into the game, but a costly fumble gave the ball right back to the Panthers. Marquez used Keiser to move his offense, and the drive ended with another touchdown, this one to AJ Cockrell, bringing the score to 23-18.

The Rams pushed back, and the defense managed to get stops when it counted.

“[The Panthers] are tough,” said Rams head coach Nate Pino. “Prepping for the Wing-T (offensive formation) is a tough scout.”

With the game seemingly over at 36-33 and 1:56 left, Takahashi fumbled the ball back to the Panthers, who now had a chance for a field goal and overtime.

The Rams defense allowed zero yards of gain on the possession, and Piedra Vista turned the ball over on downs.

RRHS knelt out the clock, and the Rams walked away 36-33 winners, stopping the Panthers’ comeback train in its tracks.

“We got a win; we have to play better, though,” Pino said. “We didn’t tackle worth a lick in the second half. I’ll say our kids are resilient. I’m proud of them for that. When it mattered, the defense got what we needed. We have to do better, though.”

Next up, the Rams face the Volcano Vista Hawks (6-1, 2-0 in 6A-1) on Oct. 18 at home. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.