The Pima Roughriders (9-1), seeded third, are set to host the 14th-seeded St. Johns Redskins (6-4) tonight at 7 p.m. in the first round of the 2A state playoffs. This marks their second matchup this season; Pima narrowly defeated St. Johns 7-2 on September 20, with running back Jeremiah Martinez rushing for 156 yards.
Pima enters the playoffs on an eight-game winning streak, most recently securing a 29-22 victory over Santa Cruz Valley. Their defense has been formidable, allowing an average of just 8.8 points per game. Offensively, Martinez has been a key contributor, averaging 144.4 rushing yards per game.
St. Johns has built momentum with three consecutive victories, including a dominant 55-0 win over Alchesay. Their defense has been particularly stingy, conceding an average of 11.8 points per game. Running back Mark Cox has been instrumental, averaging 89.7 rushing yards per game.
Historically, the teams have been evenly matched, splitting their last six meetings since October 2016. With both squads showcasing strong defenses and potent rushing attacks, tonight’s game promises to be a closely contested battle. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals to face the winner of the Camp Verde vs. Bisbee matchup, bringing them one step closer to the coveted 2A state championship.
For fans unable to attend, the game will be broadcast live on KATO 1230 AM and streamed online at GilaValleyCentral.net.
