Rams fall to Buckeye in season opener

In the week leading up to his team’s season opener, Cory Nenaber stressed the importance of winning the takeaway-giveaway battle.

The Maricopa football coach’s assessment proved to be prophetic at Buckeye on Friday night, when the Rams paid the price for six turnovers in a 27-7 loss to the host Hawks.

“When that happens, you’re not going to win,” Nenaber said about the three lost fumbles and three interceptions that hampered the Maricopa offense. “It’s that simple.”

Of particular concern was the flurry of early giveaways that contributed to a 20-0 halftime deficit for the Rams. “We had five turnovers in the first half,” Nenaber lamented.

Despite the obstacles, Maricopa (0-1) hung in resolutely against a Buckeye team (1-1) that qualified for the Class 4A-II state playoffs in 2009 and is projected to contend for a postseason berth again this year.

“The defense actually played really well, especially early on,” Nenaber said. “We had three turnovers in the first five plays and only gave up seven points. Buckeye had short fields on all three drives. To hold them to seven points, they (the defense) really kept us in the game.”

The Rams pulled within 20-7 in the third quarter on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Davis to K.J. Diehl. Maricopa cornerback Randel Barber intercepted a pass on Buckeye’s ensuing possession, but the Hawks’ defense responded with an interception of its own to thwart the Rams’ comeback attempt.

“If we score there and make it 20-14, we definitely have a chance there in the middle of the third quarter,” Nenaber said. “It could have been a totally different ballgame.”

Nenaber said the turnovers are correctable mistakes that the team will continue to work toward eliminating, or at least reducing significantly.

“We talk about ball-control a lot, ball-security a lot,” Nenaber said. “It is something we definitely practice and will continue to practice. When you give a good team six extra chances, you put yourself in a really tough position to be successful.”

The Rams rushed for 101 yards on 29 attempts, as Patrick Duffy led the way with 36 yards on eight carries, and Brian Nechamkin finished with 29 yards on 10 carries.

“Brian Nechamkin played a phenomenal game, especially on defense,” Nenaber said about the senior running back and linebacker. “He was all over the place. Patrick Duffy played really well on both sides of the ball. K.J. Diehl had a good game receiving.”

Diehl finished with three catches for 53 yards and a touchdown, while Nechamkin had three receptions for 45 yards and Justin Warren caught two passes for 36 yards.

Davis, the Rams’ senior quarterback, completed 11 of 22 passes for 146 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.

Defensively, Nechamkin finished with nine solo tackles, five assisted tackles and five tackles for losses. Duffy had three solo tackles and six assisted tackles from his linebacker position, while safety Armando Cano added four solo tackles and four assisted tackles.

The game represented the varsity head-coaching debut for Nenaber, who previously served as an assistant at Tempe Corona del Sol.

“Once the game got started, it was just another football game,” Nenaber said about the anticipation. “The only (tough) part is we did exactly what we were trying not to do, which was give them chances early. But it (the first-game experience) was good, other than the outcome. The kids played really hard, and they didn’t give up. That’s what I’m most proud of.”

The Rams’ next game is at Buckeye Youngker (0-1) on Friday, with another road contest to follow on Sept. 17 at Page. Maricopa will open its home schedule – as well as begin 4A-II East Sky Region competition – on Sept. 24 against Gilbert Higley.

Photo by Tom Kessler