The Pima Roughriders finished last year’s campaign with a 6-3 record and a loss in the 2nd round of the 2A playoffs to eventual State Champion, Arizona Lutheran. The ‘Riders return 10 players with varsity experience this season but will be under the direction of a new head coach. Josh Wilkins will take over after Jim Hughes stepped down at the end of last season.
This will be Wilkins first varsity head coaching job but he isn’t a stranger to this Pima group. He coached the JV for the last 2 years and was this year’s seniors first youth football head coach when they started playing football in 6th grade.
“I’ve coached this senior class for the last 6 years. They know me and I know them,” said Wilkins. “I’m excited to get to work with them at the varsity level.”
Wilkins will be joined on the sidelines by Lee Haws, Brent Wiltbank, Jake McBiles, Mike Peterson, Conner Piippo and Gerald Fleming.
As has been a theme in these season preview, Wilkins is concerned with depth. “We have most of our team back from last year and we have great team speed,” he said. “And the key is to stay healthy.”
There were no individual stats available for last year for the Roughriders but the list of players returning is lengthy. Including Seth Russell who will play QB this year at 6’7″ and 230 pounds. Early research says he is easily the biggest QB in 2A and maybe the biggest state of Arizona this year.
Sr Seth Russell QB/TE/DE
Sr Wyatt Wiltbank RB/LB
Sr Leland Thompson WR/DB
Sr Chris Serna OL/DL
Sr Tucker Wilkins OL/LB
Jr Pepper Hughes OL/DL
Jr Tuddy Smart RB/LB
Jr Hayden Blair RB/DB
Jr Jaxon Jon Flex
Jr Sam Ray TE/DE
Pima was moved from the 2A San Pedro and will now play in the 2A Salt that includes Globe, Miami, Morenci, San Carlos and San Tan Foothills.
The Roughriders will open up their season on August 26th at home against the Safford Bulldogs before heading to take on the Thatcher Eagles on September 2nd. They will end with home games against Tanque Verde, San Carlos, San Tan Charter and Miami. Road games include Scottsdale Christian, Willcox, Globe and the season finale at Morenci.
“If we are going to prove we aren’t the little brother in the Gila Valley we are going to have to be ready week 1 and 2,” said Wilkins. “The game with Morenci could be for the 2A Salt championship and we are looking forward to playing Willcox after last year’s cancellation.”
If the Roughriders can get through the first two weeks of the season healthy, they will be a team to watch for a deep run in the 2A and their season finale at Morenci could be for the 2A Salt championship.
