Rams roll big over Page, 55-9

If Hollywood were writing the story, it would have been: “Win one for Gary.”

The Rams, playing without first-year Head Coach Gary Mattes, rolled over Page High School to the tune of 55-9 Friday night, handing the Sand Devils their first loss of the season.

Davon Snell ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Rams in the victory. Six other players combined for scores in the game as Maricopa executed in every facet of the game, most importantly on defense and special teams.

Mattes was hospitalized earlier in the week for undisclosed medical reasons. No further word was given on his status.

“All week it was touch and go with Coach Mattes,” said Jarrod Goss, the team’s defensive coordinator. “So we planned in case he wasn’t going to be here. Coach Reed did a fantastic job calling plays.”

Winning the coin toss for opening kickoff, the Rams opted to defer their offensive possession to the second half. Page, starting at their own 20-yard line after the touch back, swiftly moved the ball down field, primarily on the strength of a 66-yard pass play. But the Maricopa defense stiffened and held Page to only a field goal.

It was the last time the Rams would trail all night.

Following the score, junior Travis Brown received the kickoff at the 17-yard line and proceeded to run it back for a touchdown. After converting the extra point, the Sand Devils were again unable to return the kickoff on the strength of a second touchback. But this time, the Ram defense was able to turn the tables when freshman linebacker Lorenzo Melvin scooped up a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. Converting both extra points brought the score to 14-3.

Although Page was able to drive the ball deep into Ram territory on the ensuing drive, they were unable to convert on a field-goal attempt, turning the ball back over at the 20-yard line. Highlighted by a 41-yard run by Snell, Maricopa mounted an 8-play drive that moved the length of the field. The final score came on the legs of Patrick Duffy, who ran it in from the 1-yard line. The extra point made the score 21-3.

After each team traded possessions, the Rams were able to get a leg up on field position, thanks to an interception by senior cornerback DeAunte Leath. With only 38 yards to cover, Maricopa was able to put together a 6-play drive that consisted entirely of runs. The final score came on a 3-yard run by Snell.

Page began mounting another serious drive that was again broken up by Leath, with his second interception of the night. Returning the ball 19 yards, the Rams took over possession at the Sand Devil’s 44-yard line. It would take only four plays to cover that distance, with Snell breaking open for a 33-yard touchdown run to end the drive and the half.

Following the intermission, Maricopa junior KJ Diehl received the opening kickoff and returned it 85 yards for an immediate touchdown. The extra point made the score 42-3. Although Page was able to move down the field on their next drive, pushing the ball into Maricopa territory, again the Ram defense held tough, forcing the Sand Devils to turn the ball over on downs at the 19-yard line.

It would take Maricopa only four plays to cover 81 yards. An initial incomplete pass was followed by runs by junior running back Brian Nechamkin and senior fullback Marky Suazo. Junior quarterback Patrick Davis then hit senior wide receiver Demitri Esparza for a 63-yard touchdown pass. The extra point brought the score to 49-3.

The Sand Devils would eat up clock on their next possession. A drive that took 15 plays and culminated by a 21-yard quarterback keeper got Page back on the scoreboard, but they were unable to convert on the extra point attempt, making the score 49-9.

Although the Rams looked to be content to simply run out the clock and walk away with a victory, the following drive quickly resulted in another touchdown. After the kickoff return, the Rams took over at their own 36-yard line. A 5-yard offside penalty moved the ball back to the 31-yard line. But a 69-yard run up the middle by junior fullback Luis Ochoa quickly made all of that academic. The play marked the final score of the evening, as the Rams missed the extra-point attempt.

Although Page continued test the defense of the Rams, the game was finally put away on an interception by Julio Allen, who returned the pick 37-yards.

“Page actually showed us a bunch of things that we need to work on,” Goss said. “We’re going to have to go back and look at some of our coverages and make sure we’re getting everything done that we need to on defense.”

The team dedicated the game to Coach Mattes during pre-game warm ups.

The win lifts Maricopa to 2-1 on the season, while Page drops to 3-1. Next up for the Rams is an away game against Higley High School next Friday. The game will mark the first 4A-II, East Sky Division contest for the Rams.

Photo by Dan Miller