Fierros runs for 204 yards in season-opening win

Maricopa Rams beat Estrella Foothills Wolves – and a mid-game monsoon – 20-13 to claim a victory in their season opener. Running back Matt Fierros ran for 204 yards and the Rams defense came up big late to preserve the home victory.

To open up the game senior kickoff return man Tony Jones caught the ball at the Ram 10 yard line and returned it to the Wolves 45 yard line, giving the Ram offense great field position. On first and 10 Ram senior quarterback Will Clemans found junior running back Blake Schwanbeck on a screen pass for a 9-yard gain, but later in the series the Rams were forced to punt it away.

Wolves Quarterback Corey Martin fired a pass to the outside and junior outside linebacker Blake Schwanbeck picked off the pass, giving the Ram offense the ball at the Wolves 45-yard line. Ram quarterback Clemans handed the ball to Fierros, who gained 20 yards up the right side. Clemans went back to Fierros for a five-yard gain up the middle and on the next play Fierros ran it up the gut, giving the Rams a first down on the three yard line. On first and goal Clemans ran a quarterback sneak up the middle for the touchdown. Carlos Leon’s extra point gave the Rams a 7-0 lead with 5:36 remaining the first quarter.

The Ram defense continued to shutdown the Wolves offense. As Schwanbeck sacked the Wolves quarterback forcing the Wolves to punt it away. The Ram offense went back to the running game as Fierros picked up 37 yards landing him at the Wolves 19-yard line. Fierros delivered again as he carried the ball up right side to the Wolves two-yard line. With 1:08 remaining in the first quarter Clemans faked the hand-off and found sophomore tight end Davon Snell in the back of the end zone for the touchdown. The Leon extra point was successful, giving the Rams a 14-0 lead.

In second quarter the Ram defense continued to dominate as defensive end Tony Jones sacked Wolves quarterback Martin for an eight-yard loss. The Wolves went for it on fourth and 18, but came up empty.

Rams quarterback Clemans fumbled as he was hit and the Wolves recovered the ball. Playing outside linebacker, Schwanbeck intercepted an Estrella Foothills pass on the ensuing possession and ran 48 yards, giving the Rams offense the ball inside the 10-yard line.

Clemans ran a bootleg to the left side for the touchdown. Leon’s extra point missed, leaving the Rams with a 20-0 lead at the half.

Wolves return man David Ford ran the half’s opening kick off back for a touchdown cutting the deficit to 20-7.

Later in the third quarter, Wolves quarterback Martin found wide out Dalton Miller for the completion. Miller shook off the defender and scored from 13 yards out. The Wolves attempted a two-point conversion that was foiled by Kendell Morris who made the tackle in backfield.

The Rams offense went back to the running game as Fierros carried the ball up the middle for a 14-yard gain. Fierros was called on again and ran up the left side for an additional 12 yards. Clemans found Schwanbeck on a screen pass for a first down ending the third quarter with the Rams still ahead 20-13.

Fierros, who ran for 204 yards on 31 carries in the game, dominated the next possession for the Rams. He carried the ball five times for 33 yards before fumbling on the Wolves 7-yard line.

With time winding down in the fourth quarter the Wolves needed a touchdown to tie the game. The Maricopa defense, however, thwarted the late rally. Sophomore cornerback Vince Bailey knocked down a Martin pass on the Rams five-yard line with 16 seconds remaining in the game and the Rams made a stop at the goal line to preserve the 20-13 victory.

Maricopa head coach Tyler Brandt applauded his players after the game saying, “The kids played with a lot of heart tonight and they never gave up.”

Maricopa Rams 2007 Football Schedule:
8/24/2007 Estrella Foothills W 20-13
8/31/2007 @ Wickenburg
9/7/2007 Bourgade
9/14/2007 @ Coolidge
9/21/2007 Empire
9/28/2007 Fountain Hills
10/5/2007 @ Safford
10/12/2007 Santa Cruz
10/19/2007 Florence
10/26/2007 @ Globe

Photos by Mandy Hank