Rams wreak havoc in season opener

ALBUQUERQUE — RRHS Rams football opened the season Aug. 22 with a decisive 54-15 victory over out-of-district, westside rivals Atrisco Heritage at Nusenda Community Stadium.

The Atrisco Heritage Jaguars may have returned 10 of 11 starters from their defense, but it still proved too little for the high-flying offense of the Rams. Senior quarterback JJ Arellano aired it out for six touchdowns before sophomore quarterback Micah Takahashi relieved him at the start of the fourth quarter.

“The guys competed well. It was an opener for sure," said head coach Nate Pino after the game. "We made some mistakes. But at the end of the day, they steadied the ship, and I think they did a good job.”

Arellano was sure to spread the love, though, completing touchdowns to four different receivers, including tight end, senior David Butler.

“[Arellano] did a great job. He’s a leader out there,” Pino said.

After a particularly demoralizing interception at the goal line, Arellano took the field with no sign of slowing down or losing confidence. The Rams' stout defense quickly regained possession, and Arellano got a chance to try again at that touchdown pass. This time he completed it, delivering a perfect ball to receiver Bode Victor.

“[Arellano's] seen a lot of football. He’s good about taking the peaks and valleys, and he’s a pretty steady guy and a leader," said Pino.

Arellano expressed the same sentiment after the game, saying moments like that are just part of the game and mental toughness means moving past it and not letting mistakes drag the team down.

“I had to flush it right away. I couldn’t let it get to me," said Arellano. "I knew if I let it get to me, it would just be a snowball effect, and I didn’t want that to happen. I knew the pick was my fault ... but once I got those first-game jitters out ... I was rolling.”

Of special note for making himself known on the field was Hector Estrada, a junior ironman who haunts both sides of the ball, providing a receiver outlet for Arellano and a brick wall at strong-safety on defense.

“I think this year he’s figured out that he’s a big kid,” said Pino. “He’s pretty good for us in coverage the last few years, but we noticed in practice and in the scrimmage he got in there and made some plays and he’s definitely bringing a physical presence for us.”

By the time the fourth quarter started, the game had ground to a snail's pace, with both teams getting chippy, receiving numerous unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

Takahashi was the opposite of Arellano in terms of style but no less devastating, using his speed to upset a Jaguars defense that had been primed to defend the pass for three quarters. Ducking and moving, Takahashi quickly moved the ball down the field and into the Redzone to put the score at 47-7.

“[Takahashi] a player, man. We are excited about him," said Pino. "He is a heck of an athlete.”

There was a late touchdown from Atrisco, but the game was over at that point, and the Rams left Nusenda Community Stadium with the 54-15 victory and a 1-0 record to start the season.

For the Rams and Arellano, there is work to be done, but a solid foundation is a good place to start building a winning season.

“We showed what we can do, but we can go up from here," said the winning quarterback. "We have talent and speed and a lot of grit, that’s for sure ... But we got some tough games coming ... and we just got to get better every day, and we are going to be a tough team to beat.”

Up next: RRHS heads to southern New Mexico to take on Clovis at 7 p.m. Aug. 30.

BOX

RIO RANCHO 54, ATRISCO 15

Rio Rancho 13 13 14 14 -- 54

Atrisco Hrtg. 7 0 0 8 -- 15

Recs: RR 1-0, AH 01