Rams host community event inside RRHS stadium

RIO RANCHO — The Rio Rancho High School football team’s boosters put on a tailgate-style event inside the RRHS stadium Aug. 8.

“We had a great night of fun and community support for our Rio Rancho Rams,” said Vanessa Skrehot, president of the RRHS Football Booster program. The funds made during the event will go toward supporting the RRHS football program.

Festivities included bouncy houses, inflatable obstacle courses, a dunk tank, a tailgate cookout, a scavenger hunt, a food truck, tug-of-war, a watermelon-eating contest, rounds of "Spikeball" and much more.

"It's really just about building that community support and having some fun before football season gets going," RRHS head coach Nate Pino said.

Pino was seen playing Spikeball with various people. Also joining in on playing Spikball was offensive tackle Brayden Davidson and linebacker/quarterback Ryder Sibley.

On the other side of the turf, many RRHS students were playing pickup soccer and football.

Rams All-State kicker Jonah Lorimer was playing soccer with the younger kids, showing them some juke moves. Before joining the football team, Lorimer played soccer at RRHS.

During one of the pickup football games, Rams starting quarterback Micah Takahashi was playing receiver.

“This was a ton of fun for everybody. As for the dunk tank, a lot of people wanted Coach Jack to get dunked; he was talking a lot, and I actually got to dunk him," Takahashi said.

Takahashi was the Rams' leading rusher last season (765 yards) and the starting quarterback for a handful of games. Takahashi is known for his athleticism and was responsible for 17 touchdowns last season; he also had four catches as a receiver.

"We're looking really good, really sharp. The entire offense is looking explosive," Takahashi said.

Other notable players for the Rams this season include receiver Parker Miller, edge Jacari Smith, offensive tackle Brayden Davidson, receiver Jace Lee, linebacker Ryder Sibley and defensive end Noah Lovato.

The Rams will have a scrimmage Aug. 13 at Sandia High School, and then the following week, they will open their season Aug. 22 against Atrisco Heritage Academy at home.

"We're playing Atrisco here, and it's business as usual," Takahashi said of their week one matchup.