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Aerial assault, tough defense downs Rams

Jan 1, 1970

The Rams could have seen it coming.

Coming off a loss last week to Arcadia, the two-time defending state champion Notre Dame Saints (6-2) were looking to take out some frustration. Unfortunately, it was Maricopa that ran into the buzzsaw.

The Rams were rocked by Notre Dame 41-7 at Scottsdale Community College Friday night. A high-flying aerial attack and tough-nosed defense made it a long night for Maricopa.

Maricopa head coach Eric Reed tried to look at the positive side of the defeat. “We were in there, against a good Notre Dame team, we just gave them the ball in some good situations and bad situations.” Reed said. “It’s execution; we’re good on either first or second down on offense, then either second down or third down we have a blown coverage or a blown play.”

Despite the loss, Maricopa had some early success. The Rams took an early lead, forcing one of their two turnovers on the night during Notre Dame’s first drive of the game. Safety Kendal Morris intercepted a pass and took it 60 yards for a Rams touchdown. Maricopa held tough against the Saints and score was knotted 7-7 at the end of the first quarter of play.

The tie was short-lived, however, as the Saints marched down the field and scored on their next two possessions. Both touchdowns were pass plays from Notre Dame quarterback Scott King to wide receiver Joe Verson and Skyler McCurdy, giving the Saints a 21-7 lead at half.

In the second half, things didn’t get much easier for Maricopa.

Notre Dame scored twice in the third quarter, highlighted by a their defense. Saints linebacker Luke Taffuri forced a fumble that was scooped up by defensive back Brian Poupore and returned 57 yards for the touchdown.

Notre Dame quarterback Scott King led the offense, throwing for 347 yards and three touchdown passes, while wide receiver Joseph Versen had 157 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Saints Luke Taffuri led all rushers, running for 67 yards and two touchdowns, both coming in the second half.

The Rams could only muster 53 total yards of total offense and gave up 428 yards of total defense. Maricopa running back Brian Nechhamkin had 31 yards rushing for the Rams. Quarterback Patrick Davis was held to 9 passing yards and was sacked twice. On defense, Robert Luna recorded 8 total tackles; three for a loss and Demitri Esparza had 7 total tackles and one sack.

Reed liked his team’s ability to force turnovers but pointed to a lack of intensity and blown plays by the Rams throughout the game as reasons for the defeat.

“We want to raise the level of intensity a little bit more.” Reed said. “You put together the execution and not having the blown plays and it all comes together at that point.”

Maricopa (2-6) will look to bring more intensity next week as they travel to Mesa to take on Seton Catholic Preparatory (2-6) at Mesa Community College.

Photo by Steve Sliker