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The road hasn't exactly been easy for the Soroco football team in its first season of eight-man football. The team took a tough loss against Longmont Christian earlier this month.

But the Rams also have had plenty of success, routing their opponents in their other three games.

Soroco was at its best last week in a 57-20 drubbing of Nucla. The first-team defense gave up just one touchdown, and the offense scored every way imaginable, with plays long and short, on the ground and through the air.

It's far from the time to let success go to their head, however, Rams coach David Bruner said. Soroco's schedule figures to grow tougher with every game, a process that starts at 1 p.m. today at home against Plateau Valley.

"Test-wise, these guys will be one of the toughest teams we've faced yet," Bruner said. "Our kids have progressed each week, and we're looking good. We're looking forward to the better competition."

The Cowboys (2-2) enter the game fresh off a tough loss to Dove Creek but with several nice wins under their belt.

The 43-20 loss to Dove Creek doesn't even look that bad, considering those 20 points are all that Dove Creek has given up this season.

Bruner said he's expecting to see plenty of speed and aggression from Plateau Valley. To prepare, he said the Rams worked all week to nail down their containment on defense and their blitz-busting ability on offense.

"They have a real fast running back, and all the coaches I talked to emphasized how fast they are," Bruner said. "We worked all week in practice on making sure their kids don't get outside."

As to what the Cowboys hope to do to the Rams, Plateau Valley coach Matt Guedes kept to himself. He said Soroco has an advantage playing eight-man for the first year, in that no one knows what to expect.

Guedes hopes to maintain a similar edge in this, his first year as a head coach.

Plateau Valley returns a strong senior class and will play with much more depth than some of the teams which Soroco's been able to run up the score on.

"We have about 29 kids out," Guedes said. "What I've found about eight-man football is when you're healthy, you can be really good. When you're not, it's a tough thing."

- To reach Joel Reichenberger, call 871-4253 or e-mail jreichenberger@steamboatpilot.com