Rams rally past Page for second consecutive victory

Ryan Sarver recovered a fumble in the end zone, and Travis Brown returned a punt for the game-winning score to lead the Maricopa Rams to a 17-13 victory Friday night over Page.

The pair of special-teams touchdowns helped the Rams (2-1) rally from a 13-0 halftime deficit to defeat the host Sand Devils (2-1).

“Our defense and our special teams played huge,” Maricopa coach Cory Nenaber said.

Sarver made his game-changing fumble recovery on the kickoff following a third-quarter field goal by Maricopa senior Armando Cano. The Rams forced the Page kickoff returner to fumble the ball inside the 5-yard line, and Sarver was there to pounce on it for the touchdown.

“The biggest momentum-turner was Sarver recovering the fumble in the end zone,” Nenaber said. “That turned around the game.”

After Sarver’s play pulled the Rams within 3 points of the opposition, Brown struck for his 36-yard punt return for the decisive touchdown with 6:44 remaining in the game.

The Maricopa defense was able to contain Page quarterback Ryan Keisling, who had passed for 417 yards and nine touchdowns and had rushed for 204 yards and a TD in the Sand Devils’ first two games.

“We got pressure on him, especially in the second half,” Nenaber said.

After Keisling directed a game-opening, 80-yard drive that culminated with his 11-yard touchdown pass to Landon Wright, the Rams prevented the Page offense from scoring for the remainder of the night. The Sand Devils tallied their other touchdown on an interception return in the second quarter.

The Rams forced five Page turnovers, which included interceptions by Sarver and Justin Warren along with three fumble recoveries.

“We got pressure on their quarterback and kept him in the pocket,” Nenaber said. “We didn’t allow him to scramble and make plays with his feet. When we got to him, we tackled him and didn’t allow him to keep the play alive.”

The Maricopa offense again struggled to put the ball in the end zone, losing a fumble at the Page 2-yard line in the final minute of the first half.

“We have to figure out how to score when we are in the red zone,” Nenaber said. “We have to start pulling our weight offensively. Our defense is keeping us in the game, along with the special teams.”

After starting the season with a 27-7 loss at Buckeye, the Rams have won two straight, defeating Buckeye Youngker 16-7 on Sept. 10 and following up with Friday’s victory over Page.

The Rams will begin competition in the Class 4A-II East Sky Region next week, when they will play their home opener against Gilbert Higley.

“Our region is arguably one of the toughest in the state in 4A-II,” Nenaber said. “We are going to have to be ready every week. We are going to have to play as close to error-free football as we can.”

Photo by Tom Kessler