After defeating their 2nd round playoff team, Silver High School, the Portales Rams moved on to the state semi-finals for Class 4A. Their game was against Lovington on Saturday, November 23. Kickoff in Lovington was at 1 pm with the Rams receiving the ball first.
The Rams were forced to punt the ball to Lovington after their first possession, but the Portales defense caused the Wildcats to do the same. On the next possession, the Rams drove down field and scored a rushing touchdown, adding 6 to the scoreboard!
Lovington was stopped again on their possession, after a failed onside kick from Portales, and the Wildcats turned over the ball. The Rams capitalized on the turnover and #27 scored a rushing touchdown, making the score 12-0 after an extra-point and a 2-point conversion failed.
Portales’ Kellan Hightower (#3) pulled in a big interception that he ran back for a touchdown on Lovington’s next possession, adding another 6 to the score. The Rams were able to score the extra-point after, and the score moved to 19-0.
That was the score at the half.
Lovington received the ball first in the 3rd quarter, but only to turn it over on downs. Then with a 70-yard rushing play, Portales added yet another touchdown, moving the score to 26-0. At the end of the 4th though, Lovington added 6 to their score, moving the score to 26-7, but Portales defense held them to no more scoring plays the rest of the game.
The final score of the game was 26-7, moving the Portales Rams forward in state playoffs. They will now face #1 seed Bloomfield in the state championship at Bloomfield high school at 1 pm on November 30. Winner of that game will claim the NMAA Class 4A state championship title!
