Rams kick off 2007 season opener at home

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This Friday night the Maricopa Rams will get initiated into class 3A football when they take on the Wolves of Estrella Foothills.

The Wolves, coming off a 2-8 season, have 58 players on their varsity roster, twice as many as last season, according to Head Coach Mike Welch. Last season the Wolves lost six games by eight points or less.

Quarterback Corey Martin will lead the Wolves’ pass-happy offense. Martin will look to newcomer Tony Klopfenstein. Klopfenstein relocated from Nebraska and, according to Welch, could be the best receiver in 3A.

The Wolves’ running game will feature junior Crocket Colbert, who started as a JV quarterback last season but saw little playing time at the varsity level. David Ford and Mike Mackl will also see time at the running back spot.

An experienced offensive line returns, starting with center seniors Amin Sadek and Devon Caufman. Senior Eric Brettner is the team’s best offensive lineman, according to Welch.

Last season the Wolves started out in a 3-5 defensive scheme, but abandoned it. “There were too many adjustments with the inexperienced group we had,” Welch said. This season the Wolves are going to a four-man front.

Miguel Miller, last season’s best lineman, moves to linebacker this season. Joining Miller will be Mackl, Nico Contreras and Dalton Miller.

Ford, Klopfenstein, Brett Hickman and Nick Garcia will patrol the Wolves’ secondary.

Last season Head Coach Tyler Brandt took over an undisciplined and uncommitted Rams football program that went on to finish the season 5-5, 0-1.

Brandt is building a program from the ground up. He implemented spring football practice, joined summer passing leagues and held evening practices during the summer to help the team get in shape and become better, more committed football players. Brandt knows this season is going to be a challenging one, as the Rams move from 2A to 3A.

After they competed in various 7-on-7 Phoenix passing league tournaments over the summer, Brandt is very confident in his skilled position players.

Brandt will look to senior signal caller Will Clemans to lead the offensive attack against the Wolves. Clemans has newfound confidence in his throwing accuracy and velocity. He will look for senior wideout Cody Seymore, senior Tony Jones and sophomore tight end Davon Snell to spread the field. Seymore has great hands and is a great route runner. Jones is a deep threat, and Snell is a big kid with soft hands.

Clemans, a former punt returner and defensive back, will also have a lot of opportunities to move the chains with his feet. When Clemans isn’t throwing or running, he will be handing the ball off to senior Matt “mini bus” Fierros. Fierros is a gamer. He led the team in touchdowns and tackles last season.

Junior Blake Schwanbeck will also get some carries at the running back position. Schwanbeck is a hard-nosed kid who gives a 110 percent on every play. Kendall Morris will get see some time in the backfield. The offensive line will be anchored by senior center Chris Wilson.

On the defensive side of the ball the Rams are going to run 3-4 and 4-3 schemes led by senior run stopper Fierros. The linebacker core, led by senior Fierros, junior Schwanbeck, senior David Flores and senior Heath Bookman, is the strength of the defense. Fierros and Flores are big hitters and will deliver jaw- breaking hits.

Nose tackle Wilson will anchor the defensive line. Senior Josh Cruz will line up next to Wilson at defensive tackle, and senior Tony Jones will get the nod at left defensive end. Jones is quick on his feet and has the ability to get into backfield quickly. Bookman will float between right end and outside linebacker.

The defensive backfield will consist of senior cornerback Seymore, senior Dewy Tran, sophomore Morris and sophomore Vince Bailey,

Kicking duties will be handled by junior Carlos Leon. Leon is a soccer-style kicker, and this will be his first year of football. He has a strong leg, and, with practice and time, he could be a productive kicker.

Come out and cheer on the Rams this Friday at 7 p.m.

Photo by Eddie Garcia

Maricopa Rams 2007 Football Schedule: (all games at 7 p.m.)

8/24/2007 Estrella Foothills–Home (First three games non-region)

8/31/2007 Wickenburg–Away

9/7/2007 Bourgade–Home

9/14/2007 Coolidge–Away

9/21/2007 Empire–Home

9/28/2007 Fountain Hills–Home

10/5/2007 Safford–Away

10/12/2007 Santa Cruz–Home (Parents Night)

10/19/2007 Florence–Home (Homecoming)

10/26/2007 Globe–Away