The Pima Roughriders opened the 2025 season with a long night in Scottsdale, falling 33-6 to Scottsdale Christian in a game that stretched close to five hours and didn’t wrap up until nearly 11:30 p.m. A lightning delay that lasted more than two and a half hours interrupted the first quarter, but by then the Eagles had already seized control.
Scottsdale Christian struck early with a 32-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Sean Helgeson to Kyle Olafson less than five minutes into the game. Running back Everett Salazar added a 2-yard run on the next possession to make it 14-0. When play finally resumed after the storm delay, Helgeson wasted no time, hitting Dom Dickerson on a 52-yard scoring strike for a 20-0 lead. Salazar added two more touchdown runs before the third quarter was over, finishing with three scores and 51 yards on 11 carries. Helgeson went 7-of-14 passing for 156 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, while also rushing for 30 yards. Dickerson contributed 82 total yards and a touchdown, and the Eagles closed with 302 yards of offense, evenly balanced between the run and pass.
Pima entered the night shorthanded at quarterback after losing senior starter Cedrick Grimes to an injury in last week’s scrimmage against St. Johns. Sophomore Ryett McBiles made his first varsity start and showed flashes of promise, completing 11 of 24 passes for 116 yards while also throwing two interceptions against a quick SCA defense. His top target was Keegan Corona, who caught six passes for 59 yards. Joe Palmer provided Pima’s only points with a 2-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter and also had a 21-yard catch. Rooster Alder added 54 yards on 10 carries, while Gilbert Bryce chipped in 33 rushing yards and a 20-yard reception. The Roughriders totaled 202 yards of offense, with 116 through the air and 86 on the ground.
Pima, now 0-1, will look to regroup next week when it travels to Tombstone for another road test.
