‘Big-headed’ Rams give up 20 fourth-quarter points, lose in closing seconds

It was the tale of two halves for the Maricopa Rams Friday, who lost to Canyon del Oro 40-36.

The Rams (2-5) took a 21-7 lead into the locker room, but they gave up 20 fourth-quarter points, including a touchdown with 10 seconds left, and were outscored 33-15 by Canyon del Oro (5-2) in the second half.

“It’s a hard one to swallow,” coach Chris McDonald said. “We had ‘em.”

Senior Giovanni Walker said, “The first half we did great. We really did. We executed on offense; defense we did exceptional."

Walker said they lost their edge at halftime: “Last year, we came out, they blew us out. And then to see that we were 21-7 at half … we got big-headed. We came out here and then we missed tackles, we got beat, we just wasn’t doing what we were doing in the first half.”

Senior linebacker Colby Baca said the players need to take responsibility for the second-half collapse.

“People weren’t making plays we’re supposed to make,” he said. “That comes down to us; it’s not the coaches. We just got to continue to get better and know what we’re supposed to be doing.”

Senior Elisha Donaldson continued his great season with 201 yards on 11 receptions, including a 51-yard touchdown on a flea-flicker from Isaiah Pedro.

Isaac Pickett and Hezekiah Turner rushed for scores and quarterback Aaron Owens connected on touchdown passes to Walker and Johnny Johnson.

***ADVERTISEMENT***The Rams had 318 yards and three touchdowns through the air, but they could only muster 29 yards rushing on 28 carries.

“They’re 5-2, another good team,” McDonald said of Canyon del Oro. “We just got to find a way to regroup, get kids motivated to play after the CDO loss.”

The Rams next play Friday at Flowing Wells, but the last-seconds loss is still fresh for McDonald: “This one stung really bad.”

Click here to view more photos of the 2014 Rams football season.