Maricopa secures first win in a ‘street fight’

Winning is a habit.

In a post-game interview, Maricopa High School football coach Cory Nenaber echoed the words of Vince Lombardi, the late football coach whose teachings have been spouted in one form or another on playing fields across the nation. In the wake of the Rams’ (1-3) first win of the season against Arcadia High School on Friday, the quote was a perfect fit.

 “This team needs to learn how to win,” Nenaber said. “Hopefully we’re taking a step in that direction.”

The Rams barely escaped a potential loss in their 12-7 victory over the Titans (3-1) during their first home field appearance this season. Penalties plagued the team and almost cost them the W when yellow flags invited the Titans’ offense to the edge of the red zone with seconds left on the clock.

Unable to secure a first down in their own territory, Maricopa was forced to punt the ball with 1:16 left in the fourth quarter. Arcadia took over on their own 32-yard line and marched to mid-field. A pass interference penalty and then an illegal hit one play later placed the ball on the Rams’ 21-yard line. The Titans went airborne on their last two plays but were unable to a hit a target in the end zone.

Nenaber didn’t have to borrow a quote from Lombardi to give his assessment of the team’s first victory. His own description painted an accurate picture.

“That’s a street fight, that win right there,” he said. “It was down to the wire.”

Ten penalties for 95 yards were assessed against the Rams. For Nenaber, that was way too many.

“We did not play Maricopa football, which is disciplined football,” he said.

***ADVERTISEMENT***The team did show some great strengths throughout the night. The Rams came out swinging, striking early with their first possession of the game.

Maricopa started on their own 37-yard line and began a 10-play march down the field, scoring on a 16-yard pass to Tim Byrd. The extra point attempt by Christian Ramirez was no good.  

The Titans’ first possession of the game didn’t go as well. With the ball spotted at the Rams’ 47, defensive back  Giovanni Walker snagged an interception and carried the ball to the Titans’ 30-yard line. Unable to pick up a first down, the Rams settled with a kick. This time, Ramirez found his target – a 37-yard field goal that put three points on the board, setting the score at 9-0.

Arcadia got a breath of life in the third quarter with an 8-yard touchdown run by A.J. Bates, but the Rams’ defense was able to hold off the Titans for the rest of the night.  

Another field goal by Ramirez in the fourth placed the score at 12-7.

Nenaber said the focus prior to the team's next contest will be discipline.

“We’re going to do a much better job with that next week,” he said.

Maricopa faces off against Vista Grande High School (2-2) next Friday at home. The game starts at 7 p.m.