PIMA — On a Halloween night that finally felt like fall in southeastern Arizona, the Pima Roughriders delivered a complete performance to open the 2A State Playoffs, rolling past Holbrook 47–6 before a packed home crowd. It was the kind of night that reminds you why playoff football feels different — cooler air, louder stands, and a team peaking at the right time.
Quarterback Ryett McBiles set the tone early, connecting with Keegan Corona on a 29-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter. Moments later, Joe Palmer broke loose for a 37-yard run, and Pima was firmly in command. Holbrook managed a short-lived answer in the second quarter, but Pima’s ground game took control from there. Rooster Alder powered in touchdowns from five and nine yards before halftime to make it 26–6.
The Roughriders kept their foot on the gas in the second half. Garth Lunt muscled in a two-yard touchdown to open the third, Alder added his third score with an 18-yard dash, and Palmer capped the scoring early in the fourth with a one-yard plunge. Every drive seemed to feature the same themes — power blocking, patient running, and a defense that set the tone.
Alder led the charge with 117 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries, while Palmer added 85 yards and two scores on just seven attempts. McBiles was efficient and composed, going 13-of-19 for 146 yards, including the opening strike to Corona, who hauled in seven receptions for 68 yards.
Pima piled up 395 total yards — 249 on the ground and 146 through the air — while the defense turned in a smothering effort, holding Holbrook to 43 passing yards and minus-27 rushing on the night.
“It was a good win for the Roughriders last night,” said Pima Head Coach Josh Wilkins. “We had to sit some guys who were banged up and the others stepped up, on to the next round!”
With the win, Pima improves to 7–4 and advances to face #7 San Tan Charter in next Friday’s second round. If the Roughriders carry this same mix of balance and toughness into the 2nd round, their postseason run might be just getting started.
