​NEW HOME — Waiting until Week 2 to take the field felt like forever to Ropes senior Jaivyth Cruz. It was also an agonizing delay for those wanting to see just how good the state’s fourth-ranked team could be.For at least one game, the answer is pretty dang good.The Eagles looked the part of a region-title contender in knocking off New Home 42-14 Friday at Leopard Field. The complete performance could’ve made spectators forget it was Ropes’ season opener.Such is the type of effort that comes from teams in the upper echelon. Although the Eagles have the attention of statewide pollsters, coach Beau Riker didn’t put stock into it.”As far as rankings, we don’t look at that stuff,” Riker said. “It’s (about) what you earn. Rankings are what they did last year. We’re just gonna set our weekly goals, and we’re gonna try to get better each and every day and each and every week.”If the Eagles do so, they’ll be playing nonstop until Christmastime. Because of scheduling constraints, Ropes took its open date Week 1 to fill a 10-game regular season. Fear not, Eagles fans, if the team plays like it did Friday, there will be ample opportunity to rest starters throughout the campaign.Cruz ran for 136 yards and four touchdowns, his third putting Ropes up 35-0 just before halftime. He was also part of a smothering defense that kept the Leopards off the scoreboard until the final play of the third quarter.The Eagles made eight tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including a pair of sacks. Ropes also had an interception and held the Leopards to less than 200 yards of offense.”I really thought that the strength of our team tonight was our offensive and defensive lines,” Riker said. “They really performed really well. They owned the line of scrimmage, and I think we had some success up front today.”The offense showed its depth, too. Three different players scored in the first 10 minutes of the game. Chase Lantelme capped the 21-0 spurt for his first TD in green and white. The quarterback transferred from Stratford, where he led the Elks to the regional final last year.Lantelme split time behind center with Zayden Pittman, the Swiss army knife who earned district MVP in 2025. Pittman was also among the Eagles to reach the end zone. Pittman, who also played at running back and receiver, shared QB duties with Kade Franklin last season, so he’s used to the arrangement.”Man, it’s tough having two quarterbacks that are very talented,” Riker said. “But if they’re not at quarterback, they’re at receiver, they’re at running back. We get to keep them on the field because they’re good athletes. And they’re good quarterbacks. They make good decisions with the ball in their hand. We’re gonna continue to utilize both of them.”We really don’t have a starter because they’re both our quarterback.”Ropes certainly geared up like a contender. The Eagles face three-time reigning state champion Texico (N.M.) this week, followed by Panhandle, which just beat top-ranked Stratford. Ropes al