SANTA FE — The Portales Rams are having a hard time getting over the hump this season.

The defending Class 3A state champions found themselves down 13-0 at the quarter Saturday, but played competitively until the final period before St. Michael’s pulled away for a 41-20 victory.

The Rams (1-5) have dropped five in a row since a season-opening 42-41 win over Las Vegas Robertson.

PHS coach Andy Correll said both teams made mistakes, but the Horsemen (5-1) did a better job of capitalizing on opportunities.

“We just didn’t take advantage of the mistakes they made,” Correll said. “They’re good; they’re big and physical. They do what they do really well.”

The Rams got on the board in the second quarter on touchdown passes of 40 and 62 yards from junior quarterback Jeffrey Collins to senior wide receiver Shawn Carrasco. Still, the Horsemen held a 27-13 lead at the intermission.

“Shawn made two great runs (after the catch),” Correll said. “They had him bottled up, but he was able to break through.”

Portales pulled to 27-20 in the third period when senior running back Jesus Davalos scored on a 25-yard run, but the Rams were unable to get closer.

“We had a couple of unfortunate turnovers that hurt us,” Correll said.

Junior Cody Small went 2-for-3 on PAT kicks for Portales. Senior linebacker Saul Ontiveros had a first-quarter pass interception which stopped a St. Mike’s threat.

The Rams play their final non-district game on Friday against Roswell High in a 7 p.m. start at Greyhound Stadium. They begin District 4-3A play at Ruidoso on Oct. 23.

Correll said he thinks his squad can still turn its season around.

“We’ve just got to figure some things out and decide we want it,” he said. “If that happens, I think we can compete.”