MHS football celebrates seniors, falls to Kellis (video)

The Maricopa High School football team has fully felt the impact of redistricting in the last half of the season as it faced off with new conference rivals in 5A Metro.

The result, as the Rams head into their final game, is a 4-5 record overall and a 1-3 record in the conference. Maricopa’s 55-28 loss Friday to 5A Metro leader Raymond S. Kellis High School may have been foretold but still stung on Senior Night.

Yet, celebration played a major role in the proceedings as the crowd honored senior football players, cheerleaders and marching band and corps members in the final home game.

Kellis scored four consecutive touchdowns in the first half, including a 39-yard punt return. Maricopa committed turnovers that had the Rams’ defense on the field frequently.

Maricopa got on the board before halftime as senior Kenny Oliver grabbed a 52-yard pass from sophomore Jathan Washington. The Rams trailed 27-7 after senior Sam Aviles’ point-after kick.

The Rams came back out of the locker room rejuvenated. Junior Cameron Sanders scored in the first minute. With a boot from Aviles, Maricopa was down just 27-14.

But Kellis got back those points almost immediately to go up 34-14. The Rams came right back, with Sanders scoring on a 19-yard run.

The Cougars scored twice in the fourth quarter to build the lead to 48-21. A spectacular 40-yard-rush by Daveon Harris took the Rams to the 3-yard line. He ran the ball in from there for Maricopa’s final touchdown. Kellis wasn’t done and scored once more before time ran out.

Cougar senior Damien Campbell rushed for 213 yards and scored six of Kellis’s seven touchdowns.

To end the season, the Rams hit the road to play McClintock (3-6, 0-4) Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.

MHS Football Senior Night

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