Maricopa Rallies Past Flowing Wells for 39-32 Victory

Maricopa overcame an early deficit and held off Flowing Wells for a 39-32 victory Wednesday night in boys FR/SO football at Maricopa High School.

Flowing Wells struck first in the opening quarter with a receiving touchdown to take a 6-0 lead. The Caballeros added another receiving touchdown in the second quarter, with No. 13 finding the end zone to extend the advantage to 12-0.

Maricopa's offense responded with a big second quarter.

No. 1 became the focal point of the Rams' comeback, recording multiple receiving touchdowns as Maricopa erased the 12-point deficit. The Rams moved in front 13-12 before another touchdown reception by No. 1 helped push Maricopa to a 20-12 advantage heading into halftime.

No. 1 continued making an impact immediately after the break, returning a kickoff for a touchdown to extend Maricopa's lead to 26-12.

Flowing Wells answered with a touchdown reception by No. 21, cutting the Rams' advantage to 26-18. Maricopa responded again, with No. 1 adding another receiving touchdown to give the Rams a 33-18 lead entering the fourth quarter.

The Caballeros refused to go away.

No. 13 recorded another receiving touchdown in the fourth to bring Flowing Wells within nine at 33-24. Maricopa answered with a touchdown reception by No. 0, extending its lead to 39-24.

Flowing Wells made one final push behind a touchdown run from No. 31, bringing the score to 39-32, but Maricopa maintained its advantage to secure the seven-point victory.

After the game, Maricopa head coach Chris Leon praised the effort he saw from his players throughout the contest.

“I'm so proud. They played hard,” Leon said. “Our word of the week this week was effort. We kept coming back to that, and I saw them increase the effort as time went on through the game.”

Leon also pointed to finishing strong and building endurance as areas of emphasis during the week, especially with the heat creating another challenge for his players.

The Rams ultimately responded to an early 12-0 deficit with 39 points, using a strong second quarter and another 13 points in the third to take control before holding off Flowing Wells' fourth-quarter comeback attempt.