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No place like home Maricopa High School’s Homecoming brought excitement both on and off the field, as the Rams rolled to a 35-7 win Sept. 5 over Empire of Tucson. The crowd erupted early when senior quarterback Jose Cardona Jr. launched an 84-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Matt Barnett, setting the tone for the night. Senior running back Khaleb Johnson (bottom left) added a rushing touchdown and an 81-yard kickoff return, keeping fans on their feet, while the defense, led by senior linebacker Clayton Neal, stifled Empire’s offense. Head coach Tevin Rutherford praised his team’s focus and resilience: “It’s about communicating where we’re headed and staying positive. Our guys fixed mistakes as they came up, and that made all the difference.” The evening’s celebrations extended beyond the game, as Annie Chavez and Clayton Neal (bottom right) were crowned Homecoming Queen and King, giving the Rams and their fans plenty to cheer about on a memorable night.
Get out, join the fun and support local students — check out MUSD’s full fall sports calendar and make a game or event part of your plans.
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InMaricopa.com | October 2025
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