PIMA — The wind had a bite to it, the stands were packed for homecoming, and the Pima Roughriders made sure everyone went home warm. In the first-ever 2A region crossover game, Pima — the No. 2 team from the 2A East — ran past Metro 1 runner-up Chandler Prep 35–7 in the first 11-man meeting between the schools since their last matchup back in 2011 as 8-man programs.
The Roughriders struck early and never looked back. Joe Palmer powered in from two yards out late in the first quarter, and Rooster Alder added an 11-yard touchdown run in the second to give Pima a 13–0 lead. Chandler Prep cut it to 13–7 on the final play of the first half — a 6-yard touchdown pass from Kody Dodson to Aaron Crawford — but that was the Titans’ last gasp.
From there, it was all Pima. The Roughriders’ defense was downright rude, sacking Dodson and Aaron Crawford seven times and holding Chandler Prep — a team averaging over 220 passing yards per game — to just 67 yards through the air and minus-20 rushing yards.
Pima’s offense was as balanced as it was bruising, racking up 297 total yards (176 passing, 121 rushing). Palmer had a night to remember, with six carries for 53 yards and two touchdowns plus four catches for 105 yards and another score. Alder added 93 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. Quarterbacks Cedric Grimes (7-of-13, 71 yards) and Ryett McBiles (4-of-4, 105 yards, two touchdowns) shared the load and never missed a beat.
After the game, head coach Josh Wilkins summed it up simply:
“Boys were great tonight. Things are really starting to click — defense was lights out, offensively we moved the ball really well. We’re gonna be a tough team to play in the playoffs.”
The win wrapped up a picture-perfect homecoming and propelled Pima into the postseason as the #10 seed in the 2A state tournament. The Roughriders will host #23 Holbrook on October 31st in Pima.
