After three straight trips to the 2A state championship game, the Pima Roughriders enter 2025 with one goal—to finish what they started. Under the leadership of Head Coach Josh Wilkins, now in his fourth year, the program has become one of Arizona’s most consistent winners. Wilkins holds a jaw-dropping 38–4 record since taking over, including a 2022 state title and two runner-up finishes the past two seasons. This year’s seniors were freshmen when they won it all, and they’ve been in the big game every year since. Now they want to end their high school careers the same way they began—on top.
Wilkins isn’t one for hype, but he believes in this team’s makeup. “We know what it takes and are ready to embrace the challenge,” he said. “This team has great unity, and we expect great things.” That quiet confidence is reflected in their team motto: “No doubts, just DO.”
At the heart of the offense is junior quarterback Cedric Grimes, who threw for 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns last fall. He’ll be working behind a battle-tested offensive line anchored by seniors Dante McRay and Hollen Hoopes, both of whom bring size, grit, and plenty of championship game experience. The Roughriders’ backfield is led by senior Rooster Alder, who rushed for 405 yards and five touchdowns, and junior Joe Palmer, who added 236 yards and three scores while also leading the team in tackles on defense.
Few players in the state are more versatile than senior Wade Peterson, who tallied 247 rushing yards, 231 receiving yards, and three total touchdowns last year—on top of 49 tackles, three interceptions, and steady work on special teams. Charles Richardson brings toughness in the trenches and versatility, with 63 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, and 3.5 sacks last season. Emmitt McBiles adds depth on both sides of the ball and has shown steady improvement.
Defensively, Pima brings back a physical, experienced group that thrives on fundamentals and fast pursuit. Palmer was the anchor with 124 tackles and 11 TFLs, while Alder added 87 tackles and 10 for loss. Peterson is a menace in the secondary, and McBiles brings versatility and grit. The defensive front rotates in names like Gilbert Bryce, Colt Lunt, Adam Bryce, and Brayden Flowers, offering both size and fresh legs alongside Richardson.
If there’s any concern heading into Week 1, it’s depth in the secondary—talented, yes, but they’ll need to stay healthy. Still, Wilkins isn’t changing much. “It’s business as usual,” he said. “We want to smack you in the mouth on defense, fly to the ball, and stay well-rounded on offense.”
There’s also a new kind of excitement this fall—a new home field. On September 5, when Pima hosts Round Valley, they’ll do so in a brand-new stadium. It will mark the first home regular season football game in school history not played at historic Edd Hubbard Field—a landmark moment for a program already steeped in tradition.
The rest of the schedule doesn’t cut them any favors either. They open with back-to-back road games at Scottsdale Christian (Aug. 21) and Tombstone (Aug. 29). After the Round Valley home opener, they’ll host Willcox and St. Johns, then hit the road for Miami, Globe, and later Madison Highland Prep. And of course, there’s the annual slugfest with Morenci on October 10, a rivalry that never disappoints.
There’s plenty of motivation in this group, and a rich tradition as well. Pima has claimed 10 state championships in its football history and made 21 appearances in the title game—second-most in Arizona history at any level. That’s not just a proud past—it’s a legacy this year’s seniors are determined to carry forward.
With experience, unity, championship DNA, and a brand-new home to defend, the 2025 Roughriders aren’t chasing hype. They’re chasing one more ring.
