Rams score 41 but fall short against No. 9 Williams Field

The Maricopa High School football team knew the challenge in front of them with a matchup against undefeated and ninth-ranked Williams Field Friday night.

The Rams were beaten badly by the Blackhawks the last five seasons, including a 42-6 loss in 2013 and 42-0 loss in 2011.

“Everybody was telling our players all week that we had no chance,” head coach Chris McDonald said. “I don’t think a lot of people had faith in us.”

Although Maricopa didn’t pull off the upset, they did put together a valiant performance in a 45-41 loss.

“Tonight, what can I say?” McDonald said. “Their first string had not been scored on, and we put 41 on them.”

Williams Field (3-0) outscored their first two opponents 66-14.

McDonald said there are still some things that need to be fixed on the defensive side of the ball for the Rams.

“The effort was definitely there tonight,” McDonald said. “We can clean up the pursuit and tackling issues. The kids played their butts off.”

On offense, McDonald said it was a group effort, and he was very pleased with the performances of Elisha Donaldson, Johnny Johnson, Geovanni Walker, Isaac Pickett and Kameron Jones.

”Kameron Jones started both ways for us,” McDonald said. “He’s one of those guys on our team that hasn’t played in a couple years, and he caught every pass thrown his way, blocked well and was solid on the defensive side of the ball.”

Still searching for their first win after three games is not what McDonald and the Rams expected, but the coach thinks the team is making strides.

“You’re never happy with moral victories,” McDonald said. “We’re 0-3, but I think we’re a pretty good team.”

After a disappointing performance last week against Seton Catholic last week, taking a top 10 team in the state down to the wire bodes well for the Rams.

“I think we are a better team after this game,” McDonald said. “Some kids are realizing that they can play and compete with anybody.”

To put the Rams 0-3 start in perspective, the combined record of the teams they’ve played this season is 9-0.

“We’re going to build off of tonight going into our game with another undefeated opponent in Arcadia next week,” McDonald said.

The Rams next game is Sept. 19 at Arcadia High School, 4703 E. Indian School Road in Phoenix. Kickoff is 7 p.m. 

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