For the first time since 2017, Maricopa High School football closed the fall with a winning record — and a sense the program has turned a corner. The Rams ran into a very good Notre Dame Prep team in the AIA Open Division playoffs to end the year, but head coach Tevin Rutherford couldn’t say enough about his seniors. 

“They’re the ones who got us here,” he said. “I’m so proud of what they did on and off the field.” 

Rutherford credited a culture reset, and a community rally. 

Pinal County Player of the Week nods became routine, and something else shifted. 

“We’re seeing kids come back into Maricopa,” he said. “Other districts had been pulling our athletes; now some of those same kids are returning.”  

He’s equally energized by a freshman class already producing on offense Friday nights. Louie Placencio worked out of the slot, Jesse Barnett lined up at tight end at 6-foot-3, and 240-pound 14-year-old Ruben Alvarez contributed on the interior at tackle and guard. 

“There’s real growth there,” Rutherford said. “Regional nominations are reflecting that.” 

A big shakeup for the team: Coach Rutherford announced he is stepping away from football Nov. 13. He won’t be far, though. He’ll remain a part of Maricopa Unified School District’s administration.  

“I’m still an administrator. I’ll be at the games, yelling for our guys. They can’t get rid of us that easily,” he joked. “It’s a huge wave of emotions. I’m incredibly grateful to our team, our families and our admin at the school and district level. We always talk about culture and winning. It’s every bit an accomplishment shared by all our stakeholders.” 

Seniors by the numbers vs. Notre Dame Prep 

• QB Jose Cardona: 193 passing yards (13–32), 1 TD; 33 rushing yards & a rushing TD; 226 total yards. 

• Receiving leaders: Julian Lopez 4–69; Ruben White TD catch (47 yards); Micah Winters 30-yard grab plus 67-yard INT return TD. 

• Defense: Derek Day 13 tackles; Azarious James 12; Clayton Neal 11 tackles and a sack. 

• Team: 193 pass yds, 65 rush yds; 2 interceptions 

Source: MaxPreps 

Record book note 

Rutherford says QB Jose Cardona “set every QB record” in both passing and rushing yardage for a Maricopa High School quarterback. He threw 60 career passing TDs.