The Portales coaching staff has been in Las Vegas, N.M. since Monday, getting the South ready for the ninth annual Class 3A North South All-Star Game, set for 6 p.m. Saturday at New Mexico Highlands University.

The North won last year’s contest 27-7 and looks to repeat. The South holds the advantage with 5-3 record against the North.

Portales coach Andy Correll said this is the last hooray for five members of the Class 3A champion Rams. Portales players participating are Adrian Gutierrez, Michael Trujillo, Ethan Grubbs and Brandon McAfee. Brandon Adkins was also named to the team, but had prior commitments.

Correll is calling the game for the South.

“We’ve got a great group of players from all over the south,” Correll said. “We’ve got some great athletes who have great character and work hard. I think if we’ll execute what we’ve seen all week, we have a good a chance of beating them.”

In Friday night action, the North defeated the South 74-73 in the girls’ basketball game, with Tara Johnson and Dallas Russell representing Portales. The boys game started late Friday night.

South whips North in 1A-2A football clash

RIO RANCHO — Tim Regalado of Dexter rushed for 39 yards and four touchdowns, leading the South to a 34-7 victory in the Class 1A/2A North-South All-Star Game Friday at Rio Rancho High School.

Regalado scored on runs of 14, 8, 2 and 8 yards, threw for 76 yards and connected on 4-of-5 extra points for the South, who never trailed and held the North to two first downs in the second half and 20 rushing yards on the night.

Sonny Duran, Regalado’s teammate at Dexter, scored on a 13-yard-run in the fourth for the South’s other score.

The South leads the series 11-6. This was the first year Fort Sumner, the four-time defending Class 1A champ, played for the South.

For Fort Sumner, Aaron Griffin rushed for nine yards and Berry Stinnett caught two passes for 37 yards. Chris Archuleta had a 1-yard carry for the South.

Brett Anderson of defending Class 2A champion Texico threw for 146 yards and the North’s lone touchdown, a 20-yard strike to Aric Trujillo of Clayton. Texico’s Mario Posada caught a pair of passes for 70 yards and kicke the extra point on Trujillo’s touchdown.