Portales coach Andy Correll talks to his players Thursday about today’s game with Las Vegas Robertson at Greyhound Stadium.

Senior Shawn Carrasco, left, holds the football for junior kicker Cody Small during practice on Thursday at the Rams practice field.

The Portales Rams set their sights on defending the Class 3A championship tonight, with Las Vegas Robertson providing the squad’s first test.

Portales coach Andy Correll said the coaching staff got to see Robertson scrimmage against Tucumcari and the Clovis junior varsity last week.

“They are going to be pretty physical,” Correll said of the Cardinals, who defeated Portales in the 2007 Class 3A title game. “They are big, they have two big running backs and a real good tight end.”

Robertson is in the second year of rebuilding after Clovis native Chad Roanhaus left for to take over at New Mexico Highlands University.

Last season, the Rams had little problem facing a Robertson team still reeling from player and coaching suspensions from a hazing incident that captured headlines across the state. Portales never trailed en route to a 51-7 road victory.

This time, Correll said he figures Robertson will try to make it a possession game to keep the potent Ram passing attack on the sidelines.

Correll said Robertson has a pair of running backs who could give Portales’ defensive line trouble during the game.

“They have improved a lot from last since we last saw them,” Correll said. “I know the big one is one of their linebackers. He’s just a big ol’ hard runner. The other one is quick and runs hard.”

Correll said the Rams will have to do a good job of tackling and making sure the guys are taking care of their assignments.

Portales is 1-3 against Robertson since Correll took over. Correll is hopeful last year’s win will be the start of a winning streak in the Rams’ direction.

Game day

Robertson at Portales

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Greyhound Stadium

Radio: KSEL 105.9 AM

TV: 6 p.m. Saturday, KFCL Comcast Channel 98, UHF channel 41; 6 p.m. Tuesday replay.

Coaches: Richard Martinez (2nd season). Portales, Andy Correll (4th)

Players to watch: Robertson, Estevan Vigil, Sr., RB; Portales, Shawn Carrasco, Sr., QB; Jesus Davalos, Sr., RB.

Notes: Friday's game starts a low-mileage first four weeks for the Rams. Portales has three of its first four games at home, and its road game is Texico, a 30-minute drive from Portales High.