Rams’ season comes to an end with loss to Tempe

It was Senior Night at Maricopa High School, as football players, band and cheer squad members from the class of 2010 were honored for their contributions to the school over the last four years. But it is was a junior, Patrick Davis, returning to his role as quarterback for the Rams, who would go 6 for 25 passing for 126 yards and run the ball 10 times for 46 yards and two touchdowns to lead Maricopa in a 23-13 loss to Tempe High School Friday night.

Maricopa was flagged for 11 penalties totaling 118 yards throughout the course of the game, most of which came on unsportsmanlike penalties in the first half of play. “There was a huge flood of emotion before this game started,” said head coach Eric Reed. “It was almost too much in the first half, but we were able to clean up some of the senseless penalties and play better.”

Unfortunately for the Rams, a first half of mistakes would allow the Buffaloes to jump out to an insurmountable lead. The opening series found Tempe marching downfield in quick succession, finally scoring on a 27-yard field goal. But the Ram defense did not allow a touchdown when the Buffaloes entered the red zone.

After taking over on their own 20-yard line after a touchback, things looked bleak as sophomore Randel Barber would fumble the ball on the first play from scrimmage, giving Tempe the ball on the 16-yard line. However, the Rams were able to intercept a pass near the end zone line.

Without much going on offensively, the Rams again were forced to punt. Three plays later, however; senior Demitri Esparza was able to pick up a Buffalo fumble and return it all the way to Tempe’s 11-yard line. From there, it would only take one play for Davis to find the end zone with his feet. A blocked extra point would keep the score 6-3.

On their next possession, Tempe was able to string together a series of 13 plays to score a touchdown. Throughout that scoring drive, Maricopa kept Tempe’s drive alive offside penalties.

The ensuing kickoff found the Rams operating on their own 8-yard line. The Rams were able to move the ball, aided by Buffalo penalties this time, to Tempe’s 39-yard line before their own drive died out. It was then that junior Armando Cano was attempted a 46-yard field goal, which was blocked and returned by Tempe for a touchdown. They missed the extra point, but led 6-16.

After a drive of only 4 plays, the Rams defense was again called upon to try and hold the line against the Buffaloes. After three plays, Tempe found themselves in a hole, facing fourth down and 4 yards to go from their own 35 yard line. But a fresh set of downs was given to them when senior Kendal Morris was flagged for taunting the opposing bench. Eight plays later, Tempe would find their way back into the end zone to take a 6-23 lead going into half time.

The second half of play was dominated defensively by both teams. The Rams opened the half with a 10-play drive that resulted in 2 first downs, but only 28 total yards. Likewise, the Buffaloes were only able to move the ball 15 yards on their next drive. But things began to look up for the Rams on their next drive, as they took over possession at the opponents 42-yard line.

Moving the ball swiftly, the Rams were able to put together a 7-play drive that began with a 29-yard run by junior quarterback Travis Brown, and ended with a 7-yard touchdown run by Davis. The extra point made the score 13-23, but it would be the last scoring either team would have for the rest of the evening

The loss ends the season for the Rams with a 2-8 record, while the win improves Tempe to 3-7 overall.

“For the seniors, this is a hard way to end things,” said Reed after the game. “We didn’t have the time with them this season that we wanted, especially with all the stuff they had to deal with. But we told them that we’re here to help them do whatever they want to at the next level. We want to make sure we’re taking care of them and getting them placed where they need to go.”

Reed has instituted requirements for each returning player to participate in at least one other sport during the school year and has already started looking to next year’s season. His plans include camps over breaks, as well as a more structured practice schedule starting in the spring. “We’re already starting planning for next year,” he said.

Photo by Dan Miller