Rams end football season with road win (video)

Maricopa High School’s football team wrapped up its season Friday night with a conference win at McClintock.

It was Homecoming and Senior Night for the Chargers, but the Rams’ seniors lingered longest on the field after the 17-14 victory.

“The season has been a season of adversity, a lot of adversity,” head coach Chris McDonald said. He credited the seniors with finishing strong and having a “bond of brotherhood” as an example for the underclassmen.

The win gave Maricopa a 5-5 record in a season that introduced the Rams to a tough new conference in a tough new division. McClintock had an even more difficult time with the re-alignment, winning just three games and getting swept in conference competition.

Friday night, Maricopa scored first on Zach Bachelder’s quarterback keeper from just outside the goal line midway through the first quarter. McClintock took advantage of a long punt return to set up a quick goal line series that tied the game 7-7 at the end of the period.

At the beginning of the second quarter, McClintock recovered a Ram fumble and ran the ball to the Rams’ 13 yard line. The Chargers soon went up 14-7.

Maricopa tied the score before halftime on a short-yardage run by sophomore running back Jacob Cowing.

The Rams’ defense locked down for the rest of the game. So when senior kicker Sam Aviles nailed a 24-yard field goal with 5:06 left in the third quarter, it was all Maricopa needed for the win.

Maricopa rushed for 115 yards, led by senior Daveon Harris’ 56 yards on 18 carries. Junior Kemo Akins carried the ball nine times for 44 yards.

Bachelder completed four of 10 pass attempts for 46 yards. His longest connection was a 13 yarder to senior Kenny Oliver.

Bachelder injured his shoulder in the first game of the season and missed four games. Despite not being completely healed, he returned to give the Rams a consistent presence behind center. McDonald said most young players would have quit after that first game.

“That just speaks to the level of toughness he has,” McDonald said. Bachelder has surgery scheduled.

Maricopa’s starting 11 this season included four sophomores. While that demanded a large learning curve, McDonald said it gives the Rams a lot of returning experience next year.

MHS football at McClintock

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