PIMA, Ariz. — The Safford Bulldogs secured a hard-fought 14-7 victory over the Pima Roughriders on Thursday night in a non-conference game at Pima High School, rebounding from a season-opening loss with a standout performance from wide receiver Cole Goodman and a dominant defensive effort led by Xavier Owens.
Coming off a dominant 41-0 win against Globe, Pima entered the game with momentum, particularly behind senior running back Jeremiah Martinez, who once again delivered with over 150 yards on the ground. However, Safford, determined to bounce back from a 20-6 loss to Payson, rose to the challenge, stifling the Roughriders’ attack at key moments.
After a scoreless first quarter, Safford struck first early in the second. Junior quarterback Jevyn Elliott connected with Goodman on an 85-yard touchdown pass, showcasing the big-play capability that Safford had been searching for. Goodman, who had three catches for 148 yards, added another touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 45-yard pass from Elliott, sealing the victory for the Bulldogs.
Pima’s offense struggled to find consistency despite Martinez’s efforts. The Roughriders tied the game at 7 early in the fourth quarter when quarterback Cedrick Grimes hit Martinez on an 11-yard touchdown pass. Yet, Safford’s defense, anchored by senior defensive end Xavier Owens, who finished with four sacks, proved too much for Pima to overcome. Owens, who had recorded 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks in the opener, continued his dominant form, frequently disrupting Pima’s backfield and keeping their offense in check.
Safford’s defense also came through in the clutch, with senior David Cruz intercepting a pass in the final minutes to thwart Pima’s comeback hopes. Despite a late drive, Pima was unable to advance past their own 30-yard line as time expired, ending the game with Safford on top.
The victory marks Safford’s first win of the season, improving their record to 1-1, while Pima drops to 1-1. The Roughriders will have will head into their bye week, while the Bulldogs look to build on this momentum for a home game with Florence.
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