PIMA, Ariz. — Pima had chances Friday night, but one marathon drive from St. Johns proved too much to overcome. The Redskins held the ball for 14 minutes between the third and fourth quarters, capping it with a touchdown that sealed a 16-12 Roughrider loss in 2A East play.
The game started with miscues. Late in the first quarter, a punt snap got away from Pima and rolled through the end zone for a safety. On the ensuing possession, St. Johns running back Sam Winters broke loose for a 21-yard touchdown run to put the visitors up 9-0. Winters carried 17 times for 124 yards, powering a ground attack that churned out 221 yards.
Pima responded in the second quarter when quarterback Ryett McBiles hit Kaden Davis for a 40-yard touchdown strike. The extra point attempt smacked the right upright, leaving St. Johns ahead 9-6 at halftime. McBiles finished 12 of 19 for 109 yards, with Davis hauling in the lone touchdown catch and also adding an interception on defense.
The third quarter belonged entirely to St. Johns. The Redskins received the kickoff and simply refused to give the ball up, stringing together a 14-minute march that spanned the entire quarter. Early in the fourth, Jude Raban finished the punishing drive with an 8-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 16-6.
Pima fought back late. With 2:26 left, Rooster Alder plunged in from the 1-yard line to cut the deficit to 16-12. The two-point try failed, and St. Johns ran out the clock to close it out.
The Roughriders were limited to 32 rushing yards on the night, falling to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in the 2A East. St. Johns improved to 4-1, 1-0.
