GLENDALE — With 20 seconds left in the game, the Tempe Buffaloes football team needed a play from one of their stars to seal a victory over the Independence Patriots Friday night.

It was junior wide receiver and defensive back Jaiden Hart-Rodriguez that stepped up and sealed the winning envelope, after missing the previous two games due to an incident in Tempe’s loss against Desert Sunrise September 26.

“It fired me up, because I knew I missed those opportunities to make plays for my team,” Hart-Rodriguez said. “It gives me all the confidence in the world. I always want to come down with the ball.”

Hart-Rodriguez’s return to the field in Tempe’s 22-20 win at Independence (1-7, 1-2 4A Black Canyon) was also pivotal for the Buffaloes’ (5-3, 2-1) playoff push. 

His impact was not just on the defensive side, as his two-way presence sent aftershocks on both sides. While only finishing with four catches for 36 yards, it was his nine-yard touchdown late in the first quarter that ignited the Buffaloes’ offense.

 “That’s what we want: resilience,” coach Sean Freeman said. “Something might happen, but learn a lesson. Get back out there and ball out and help us win.”

The offense was also powered by a strong running attack that totaled 157 yards, led by the duo of junior athlete Jaleel West and freshman running back John Walter Ramos. 

In only his second game of the season, West saw action on both sides of the ball and in a variety of positions. His speed and agility provided another layer to Tempe, per Freeman.

“He can line up anywhere – receiver, running back, quarterback,” Freeman said. “He’s that Swiss Army knife that we needed.”

The Patriots’ offense also brought a unique challenge to the Buffaloes’ defense through a variety of different run-pass-option plays. Tempe’s defense was thrown off by the trickery, as senior running back Thomas Kparka ran for a total of 116 yards and a touchdown.

“It comes down to just sticking a foot in the ground and going at it for four quarters,” Freeman said. “We can adjust and all that, but at the end of the day the defense played ball.”

Senior defensive end Zihyon Walters earned Freeman’s praise through a pair of big plays. In the second quarter, Walters sacked junior quarterback Aaron Navarro for a 12-yard loss.

With the game on the line in the fourth quarter, Walters came up big again with a tackle for loss to stall Independence’s drive, before the game-losing interception.

“After a big play like that, I turn up with my teammates,” Walters said. “It boosts my defense. It makes them feel confidence in themselves.”

While the path to the playoffs isn’t certain, Tempe’s win Friday night certainly puts it one step closer to clinching a spot. 

The Buffaloes’ final pair of games sees pivotal matchups against Glendale and Marcos de Niza, with Tempe realistically needing wins in both to have a chance

“I don’t think about no other game on the schedule, but the next one every week,” Walters said. “We have this goal, where it’s 1-0 every week. Don’t focus on the other team until the team you play is done.”