Rams look to ground Golden Eagles

Having split its first two games, the Maricopa High football team will look to get back on the winning track Friday evening when it hosts Bourgade Catholic. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Bourgade Catholic comes into the contest with a 1-1 record. The Golden Eagles defeated South Pointe 10-8 in their opener, and then dropped a 27-0 decision to Northwest Christian.

Bourgade Catholic has only eight seniors on its roster and has been outscored 35-10 in its first two games. The Golden Eagles, who compete in 2A West, are led by senior quarterback Michael Vyles.

Maricopa suffered its first loss of the season last week with a 24-6 defeat at second-ranked Wickenburg.

Rams’ running back Matt Fierros, who rushed for more than 200 yards in the season-opening win over Estrella Foothills, was limited to 84 yards rushing on the evening in the loss at Wickenburg. On defense, Maricopa forced a pair of turnovers against the Wranglers.

Maricopa High head football coach Tyler Brandt said the team has learned from its first defeat of the season.

“After the team was able to watch the film of the Wickenburg game, they saw the areas that we needed to improve and the areas that are working well for us,” Brandt said. “They have been working real hard on reducing the number of mistakes on both sides of the ball that hurt us against Wickenburg. The most important thing is that we need to start playing four quarters of disciplined football with a real serious commitment to execution.”

The Rams will have to go without Chris Wilson (center/defensive tackle), who separated his shoulder and will be out for three weeks. “He (Wilson) has really been a staple for us on the offensive and defensive line,” Brandt said.

Brandt also expects a tough fight from Bourgade Catholic when it visits Friday.

“Bourgade has always put together very big, strong and fast teams that execute very well,” Brandt noted. “I don’t expect anything less this year.”

Photo by Mandy Hank