Rams move to 5-0 behind dominant defense (video)

The Maricopa High School Rams defense tormented the Tempe High School Buffaloes offense in route to a 33-7 victory Friday night.

The Rams ended the game with an offensive flurry, but it was the defense that set the tone for the game. During the first half, Maricopa’s offense was nearly non-existent. The team struggled to move the ball on the ground, and senior quarterback Aaron Owens was out of sync with his receivers.

However, the defense came into this with memories of Tempe “dancing” on Maricopa’s midfield M, and they took out a year’s worth of frustration on the Buffaloes.

In the first half, the Rams defense caused two turnovers and forced three punts on Tempe’s five offensive possessions. The Rams defensive line was able to penetrate the oversized Buffaloes and wreak havoc in the backfield. The defensive pressure was enough to shut down the Buffaloes running game completely and cause junior quarterback Damian Triana to fumble the ball in his own end zone. The Rams recovered the fumble for a touchdown, and the six points would be the only points scored from either team in the first half.

“[Tempe] had a lot of problems offensively tonight,” MHS football Head Coach Chris McDonald said. “We really got them out of rhythm and caused a lot of silly penalties. I think that really had to do with our defense playing really well. They tried to find an identity tonight, and we didn’t let them do that.”

The third quarter remained a defensive battle, but senior wide receiver Johnny Johnson Jr. returned a Tempe punt for a touchdown and give the Rams a 13-0 lead.

Tempe climbed back into the game after an ill-advised play from Aaron Owens led to a fumble and a Buffaloes touchdown. However, that would be the last time Maricopa would show weakness.

In the fourth quarter, Owens exploded for three touchdowns. He broke away for a 45-yard run at the beginning of the fourth quarter, and he added two touchdown passes as the game winded down. He finished the game completing 15 passes on 24 attempts for 155 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. He also had 6 rushes for 27 yards and a touchdown. The Rams also totaled 155 yards rushing.

Despite giving up a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter, Maricopa’s defense stayed resilient and shut down the Buffaloes’ balanced attack. By the end of the game, the defense had three interceptions, one fumble recovery and two forced turnovers on downs.

“We’ve got a really good defensive line coach,” McDonald said. “On top of that, we feel really comfortable with a six- or seven-man rotation. So as the game goes on, we’re rotating bodies in and out on the defensive line and they’re staying fresh. I think down the stretch, teams have guys going both ways and we’re subbing guys out, we have a platoon on the line.”

After last year’s close defeat and postgame antics, this victory meant a lot the team and to the coaching staff.

“This win is very satisfying,” McDonald said. “We’re halfway through the season now and we’re starting really good. Our offense didn’t show up for the first half and we’re still winning games… Our kids have confidence. We came out and we out-hit them. Our kids have a swag to them, and they’re starting to feel the momentum.”

For the players, the game was a chance to get revenge on a team they felt heavily disrespected them on their home field.

“It was very important (to beat Tempe),” Aaron Owens said. “After last year what they did with the last play call of the game and what they did after the game on our ‘M’; it was a revenge game for us, and we came out here and dominated. It felt really good. It’s our house and we have to defend it.”

With the win Friday night, the Rams move to 5-0 on the season and 2-0 in section play.

The Rams will be back on the road next week as they travel to Tempe to take on the McClintock High School Chargers. The team will return to Maricopa the following week to host the Arcadia High School Titans in a game that could have serious playoff implications.

MHS Rams vs. Tempe High Buffaloes

1 of 57