Junior running back Maverick Agram led an explosive offense rushing for 146 yards and four touchdowns in Maricopa High School’s 60-34 win over Apache Junction High School on the road Friday.
The Rams (4-0, 1-0) played without injured starting running back Cameron Sanders and defensive back Jalen Lee. Like they have all year, the Rams turned to their bench and relied on their depth to overcome the injuries.
The defense got off to a slow start and gave up some big plays in the first half, but halftime adjustments helped Maricopa slow down Apache Junction’s (0-4, 0-1) powerful running game enough to take control.
The standout performance of the night came from Agram, whose nickname is “Mighty Mouse,” who took full advantage of his opportunity.
“Maverick is a kid that has been a scout (junior varsity) guy,” MHS head coach Chris McDonald said. “He just kept running so hard that we [wanted to give him a chance]. We told Cameron [Sanders] the last thing he wanted to do as a player was open the door for another player, and that’s what happened.”
The offense was firing on all cylinders from the start. After the defense forced a punt in Apache Junction’s opening drive, the Rams offense struck quickly when senior quarterback Aaron Owens connected with senior wide receiver and team captain Johnny Johnson Jr. for a 57-yard touchdown. Maricopa settled for a 6-0 lead after the extra point hit the cross bar.
The defense stifled the Prospectors’ offense and put the ball back in Owens’ hands. Much like the Rams first drive, the offense struck quickly and Owens connected with senior all-purpose player Isaiah Pedro for a 33-yard touchdown pass and 13-0 lead.
Apache Junction showed they wouldn’t go down easy as senior wide receiver Tanner Garcia took the kickoff nearly the entire length of the field for a touchdown. The Prospectors converted a two-point conversion and cut the lead to five points.
Maricopa’s next drive foreshadowed the rest of the game. The Rams countered Apache Junction’s score and halted the Prospectors’ momentum. Agram powered through the Apache Junction defense for his first touchdown of the season, and the Rams led 20-8.
The game’s physicality increased, and after a short shoving match, Maricopa sophomore wide receiver Longman Pyne was called for a personal foul and removed from the game. In an odd moment on the next drive, Pyne re-entered the game, but the referees quickly sent him off the field.
Due to the penalty, Pyne will be suspended for the Rams’ next game against Tempe High School.
The Rams defense forced three turnovers in the first half, but they also gave Apache Junction the opportunity for big plays. The Prospectors missed a few chances, and the teams traded two more touchdowns as the Rams took a 34-22 halftime lead.
“We had to step it up in the first half, but we didn’t,” Pedro said. “In the second half, coach had to nip it in the bud that we had to play better. The game was going to rely on the defensive backs and the defensive line making tackles, and fortunately we were able to do that.”
A fumble by the Rams on their second play of the third quarter led to an Apache Junction touchdown, cutting the deficit to six points.
Maricopa responded with a touchdown of their own before Apache Junction scored for the final time.
The Rams defense stepped up in the second half and held Apache Junction to just 12 points, and Maricopa’s high-powered offense scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
“I knew we were going to get their best shot,” McDonald said. “I was disappointed we let them back in the game after the kick return. I think offensively we came out and got up on them real early, which is what we wanted to do. Then we had a special teams breakdown that let them back in the game and gave them momentum.”
The offense exploded for nearly 500 yards of total offense. Owens completed 12 of 24 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.
Pedro excelled on both sides of the ball. He hauled in five catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns and made six tackles and two interceptions.
Fellow two-way player Johnson Jr. complemented two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, and seven tackles with six receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown.
The return of senior center and team captain Nikolai White brought stability back to the offensive line. The undersized Rams dominated the Prospectors front line, leading to 260 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 36 carries.
“We’re doing what we’re doing, and we’re beating who’s on our schedule,” McDonald said.
The Rams will try to avenge a 49-41 loss at home to Tempe High Friday when they host the Buffaloes at 7 p.m. Friday.
“This week we just need to stay focused at practice,” Pedro said. “This one is going to be an emotional game. You take it to heart, but we’re just going to go out there and do our job, and hopefully we’ll get the win.”
