Blessing Fraser is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Maricopa High School for AZPreps365.com.  

Defense, sportsmanship and dedication were the key ingredients for the Maricopa Rams as they defeated the Tucson Badgers 7-0 Thursday in a 5A non-conference flag football game.

Both teams were looking for their first win of the season. It was just a matter of who would it be at the final whistle. The Rams used their motivation from their loss on Tuesday to fuel them to victory.

“I kind of have this philosophy that Ls in the book aren't losses - they're learning opportunities,” said Maricopa coach Ty Miller. 

Miller started coaching girls football around nine years ago. Annually, Miller coaches a powderpuff team to raise money for breast cancer awareness. He brought his talents to Maricopa two years ago. In this short amount of time, this flag football team has progressed each year. 

“I love being supported by my team and I love just giving back that energy. It’s like a ‘Thank you,’ " said safety Valeria Coronado Rivas. 

Rivas held down the team’s defense with a sack just before the Badgers reached a first down near the 50-yard line. Nevaeh Yanez was just shy of a first down for Tucson, when Megan Pedro secured another sack. Rivas finished off the game with two interceptions to keep the shutout in tact. 

Tucson could not respond, even with the stellar performance from the Badgers' Amaya Trujilo. She had two interceptions in the game while also acting as the quarterback for the Badgers. The game was truly a test of defense as neither team had scored in the first half.  

“Defense can make or break the game. If defense is not where it's supposed to be energy wise, offense is going to be off their game,” Rivas said.

Miller expressed how defense was a strong suit for the team last season. The Rams are showing that it is still a major skill of theirs.

The scoreboard still needed numbers to fill the screen however. 

It was the spirit from the sidelines that propelled the Rams to be the only team to find the end zone.

“When you lose your motivation, you lose the game,” said team captain Jade Hernandez. 

With that same motivation, Hernandez was able to complete the touchdown with the help of her teammates from 35-yards out. Senior Amirra Green,was able to finish off the play with a PAT for the 7-0 lead with 1:43 left in the third quarter.

“I didn’t think I could do that," said Hernandez, a senior, on her first touchdown of the season. "I hope it gives hope to other people because when I see other people make the touchdown, it’s like I’m on the same team and I can do that, too.” 

The one component that stayed the same from the beginning of the game to the last second, was the team’s support of each other.

Sportsmanship and constant support is something that this team takes pride in. The players finished the game clapping and giving thanks to everyone in the stands that came and supported them.

“I don’t like to look at football as just a season, it's a program that we’re building,” said Miller.

Maricopa (1-1) will face Vista Grande on Tuesday, September 24.