Rams score 50, earn 2nd win
By Eric Maddy
The SCORE
It was just what the doctor ordered, especially since no doctors were needed.
Rio Rancho High scored early and often, reaching what is believed to be a school record for points in a half in rolling to a 50-14 victory over visiting Roswell in a high school football game Friday night.
Neither team scored in the second half, which was played under the New Mexico Activities Association’s “mercy rule” that employs a running clock. The Rams utilized mostly backup players in the final two quarters on both offense and defense and still made enough key plays to prevent the Coyotes from dipping below the 35-point margin that triggers the special rules where the clock is only stopped for scoring plays, injuries and change of possession.
The Rams jumped out to a 22-0 lead in the first eight minutes of the game and continued to add to the margin despite making mistakes of its own. After Roswell running back Andrew Aho put the Coyotes on the board with an 11-yard TD run, starting RRHS back Troy Harris broke free on a 59-yard run on the next play from scrimmage. A Roswell fumble led to the Rams’ next score, a five-yard score from Harris.
The Rams followed up with a two-play, 54-yard drive capped by a 31-yard touchdown pass from starting quarterback Tyler Baker to Jeric Magnant that gave RRHS with 8:42 left in the half. The Rams defense held but a fumbled punt gave Roswell the ball back at the Rams’ 30, and Roswell quarterback Andrew Jolliff with Fabian Acosta on a middle screen to narrow the margin to 43-14.
The Rams’ last score came on a 46-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Cohen Mangin to receiver Cody Moya. Backup kicker Zach Rogers connected on the second of his extra points for the final score of the half.
The Rams have a week off to recover before going on the road for back-to-back games at Roswell Goddard and Clovis. Though no Rio Rancho players sustained new injuries on Friday, the time off will help in the recovery time from the season opener.
MORE TO COME