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Rams bitten by Bulldogs, 42-13 (video)

Oct 10, 2008

The Maricopa High School Rams lost to the Bulldogs of Safford High School, 42-13, on Friday evening. The loss drops the Rams’ overall record to 1-6 (0-3 region), while the Bulldogs improved to an overall 4-3 record (3-1 region).

After a touchback on the opening kickoff, the Rams took possession of the ball on their own 20-yard line. A false start penalty found the Rams backed up again when the ball was fumbled over to the Bulldogs on the second play from scrimmage. The opening drive would prove to be the first taste of how the evening would progress for the Rams.

The Bulldogs also committed a number of opening penalties, eventually finding themselves in a first and goal play from the 19-yard line. They were able to convert the play on a 19-yard touchdown reception. A successful extra point attempt pushed Safford up 7-0.

Every time Maricopa possessed the ball in the first half, they were stopped cold by the Bulldog defense. Several times the Rams were able to get the ball moving, but more often than not big plays were called back due to penalties. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs were able to put together three successive drives in the first quarter that resulted in touchdowns. By the end of the first quarter, the Rams found themselves at a 21-0 deficit.

The second quarter opened with the Rams successfully converting a first down. Again, however, their drive was ended due to a penalty when a run of 28 yards by Kendall Deihl was called back. Although the Rams again found themselves on defense, they were able to hold the line and forced the Bulldogs to attempt a fourth down conversion. The pass attempt was broken up by safety Vince Bailey, and the Rams again took over on downs.

Once again, the Rams ran three plays and punted, and the Bulldogs turned the ball back over to the Rams on a forced fumble. This time, however, the Rams turned over the ball deep in their own territory after a tipped ball was intercepted by the Bulldogs, who were able to capitalize on the turnover, scoring a touchdown with only 33.1 seconds to go in the half. It looked certain that the Rams would go into halftime down 28-0.

The Rams, however, were not willing to settle for that score. With time expiring at the end of the half, Deihl, substituting for starting quarterback Albert Bandin, lofted a high arcing pass into the end zone, which was caught by a teammate. After converting the extra point, the Rams went into the locker down 28-7 at halftime.

The third quarter found the Bulldogs starting strong, bringing the opening kickoff back to the 34-yard line. They were able to spring a 66-yard run off the left tackle for a quick score, and the extra point made it 35-7.

Undeterred, the Rams took possession of the ball at their own 20-yard line after another touchback on the kickoff. They were once again able to quickly move the ball down field on a 32-yard run play by Vince Bailey and a 24-yard pass from Bandin to Diehl. Aided by two personal fouls committed by the Bulldogs, the Rams found themselves on the 2-yard line, where Bandin was able to score on a quarterback keeper. Unfortunately, the extra point attempt was blocked, leaving the score 35-13.

Safford’s next drive was stopped short of midfield, as Kendall Diehl was able to intercept the ball. But the Rams were unable to push the ball downfield as the Bulldog defense began to stiffen in the face of two successive Ram drives. By the start of the fourth quarter, the Rams defense began to look strained after being on the field for the majority of the game.

The Bulldogs were able to score one additional time with 11:08 remaining in the game. The Rams were unable to convert any more as they continued to commit untimely mistakes and penalties.

On Friday, Oct. 17, the Rams return to action against Santa Cruz High School in Eloy. The Dust Devils come into the game with a record of 3-4.

Post-game comments from Coach Tyler Brandt: