PIMA — There will not be much need for Pima to dig through old film this week. The Roughriders have already seen Chandler Prep up close, very close.
Just two weeks after a 54-13 loss to the Titans in Chandler, No. 13 Pima makes the same trip Friday night for a second-round Class 2A state playoff game against No. 4 Chandler Prep. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Chandler Preparatory Academy.
Pima earned the rematch by beating No. 20 Heritage Academy Mesa 30-6 in the opening round. The Roughriders took control early, building a 27-0 halftime lead and improving to 6-5, while Chandler Prep had a first-round bye after finishing the regular season 8-1.
Pima did most of its damage against Heritage Academy on the ground, rushing for 238 yards. Adam Bryce carried five times for 96 yards and a touchdown, while Joe Palmer added 57 yards and two scores. It was Pima’s strongest rushing performance since the Roughriders ran for 277 yards against Tombstone in August.
That may be particularly important against Chandler Prep, because the first meeting showed just how quickly the Titans can take control of a game.
Pima actually led 13-12 after the first quarter on Oct. 23 before Chandler Prep scored the final 42 points. Titans quarterback Kody Dodson finished 16-of-21 passing for 360 yards and six touchdowns while adding 63 rushing yards and two more scores.
Containing Dodson is the obvious starting point for Pima in the rematch. Chandler Prep enters Friday averaging more than 423 yards of offense and 50 points per game. The Titans have been especially dangerous through the air, averaging nearly 257 passing yards per contest.
Dodson has thrown for more than 2,300 yards this season, but Chandler Prep has plenty of help around him. Senior Aaron Crawford has been one of the Titans’ primary receiving threats, while junior Marshawn Britt gives Chandler Prep another option in the running game.
Pima has been built differently. The Roughriders have relied more heavily on their running game, and the opening-round win offered a reminder of what that offense can look like when it stays ahead of the chains and creates explosive plays.
Bryce also gave Chandler Prep problems in the first meeting, breaking an 80-yard run and finishing with 83 yards and a touchdown on only four carries. His production in the playoff opener gives Pima another reason to believe the running game could be an important part of Friday’s rematch.
The challenge will be sustaining that success.
Pima was able to make big plays early two weeks ago, but Chandler Prep eventually took control on both sides of the ball and finished with 484 yards of offense. The Roughriders will need to avoid the stretches that allowed the Titans to turn a one-point Pima lead after the opening quarter into a 41-point victory.
Friday will be the fifth meeting between the programs, with Pima holding a 3-1 advantage in the series. The Roughriders beat Chandler Prep 52-7 in 2011 and 44-12 in 2012, then won 35-7 in Pima last season. Chandler Prep’s victory two weeks ago was the Titans’ first in the series.
It will also be the first postseason meeting between the two programs.
The winner advances to the Nov. 13 state quarterfinals against the winner of No. 12 Parker and No. 5 Santa Cruz Valley.
Pima and Chandler Prep kick off Friday at 7 p.m. at Chandler Preparatory Academy.
