Rams blitz Panthers with 34 first-half points, secure back-to-back wins

FARMINGTON — Don’t look now, but here come the Rams.

After a pivotal win last week versus Cibola got Rio Rancho back on the winning track, head coach Nate Pino and his crew went into Hutchison Stadium and dominated with a 34-13 win over the Panthers.

Fans may have been worried when Piedra Vista opened the game with a fast touchdown drive, but quarterback Micah Takahashi said not too fast. A rushing touchdown for the junior on RR’s first possession made it 8-7 Rio Rancho.

From there on out, it was all Rams. A defensive stop and short Panther punt put Rio Rancho in a prime position to add to their lead, as running back Ethan Rolon punched in his sixth rushing touchdown of the year to make it 14-7.

A few plays after the score, cornerback Jordan Gould jumped a pass by PV’s Reuban Marquez for a big-time interception. Rio Rancho looked to make the most of the free redzone opportunity off the turnover, but how?

Throwing it up to #3.

We haven’t said his name yet, but it was only a matter of time until Parker Miller found the endzone. The senior receiver took in a 20-plus-yard pass for a touchdown, following his multi-score night last week, to make it 20-7.

A healthy dose of Takahashi, Rolon and Miller was enough to put the Panthers away early as the Rams put up 34 first-half points, numbers they have not seen since late August.

Takahashi and Miller would both record touchdowns in the second quarter, with Micah finding Parker on a 40-plus-yard catch and run touchdown in the 34-point unanswered tear.

The offense would go quiet in the second half, but the cushion provided in the first would be enough for a Rams defense that has been on quite the run.

After allowing 40-plus points to each of their opponents during Rio Rancho’s three-game losing streak in September, the Rams have now allowed just 28 points combined in their last two games.

Rio would only allow six more points following the brief 7-0 lead for Piedra, including a few stops in the red zone and in key moments.

Now with back-to-back wins and a 2-0 start in district, the Rams may be finding their stride in the final month of the season.

Before returning home to face Farmington on the Oct. 24, Rio Rancho will gear up for one more road game next week as they face Volcano Vista. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 17