Aztec Football Strikes First but Fall vs. No. 2 Arizona Western
The Pima Community College football team (2-4, 1-4 in WSFL) dropped its third straight game on Saturday as the Aztecs fell against No. 2 ranked Arizona Western College (8-0, 5-0) at Kino North Stadium.
The Aztecs scored first but the Matadors put 14 unanswered points on the board to put Pima in a hole they couldn't climb out of. The Aztecs lost 21-9.
The Aztecs converted on an Arizona Western fumble deep in their own territory. Freshman Trey Ruiz (Cienega HS) hit a 35-yard field goal to put Pima up 3-0.
The Matadors scored on their next possession when Trevaughn Rodriguez scored on a 19-yard rushing touchdown. The Aztecs had a three-and-out on their next possession and the Matadors put together an eight-play drive capped off by Greg Bell's 31-yard rushing score with 3:07 left in the second quarter. The Aztecs were down 14-3 at that point.
In the second quarter, the Aztecs controlled the time of possession as they put together a 23-play drive that ate up 10 minutes and 14 seconds. Freshman quarterback Justin Martin (Pueblo HS) scored on a one-yard keeper. Sophomore Sirgeo Hoffman had a 24-yard run and Martin connected with Caymen Metcalf for a 23-yard reception and Jalen Edwards for a 17-yard catch to help set up the score.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Aztecs recovered an onside kick on the Arizona Western 40-yardline. Four plays later Martin threw interception to end the threat. Pima trailed 14-9 at halftime.
The Aztecs' offense struggled in the second half as two turnovers in the red zone costed them. After a blocked punt by sophomore Thane Wadems, the Aztecs took over at the Arizona Western 20-yardline. Martin fumbled on the second play of the drive and the Matadors took over and eventually scored with 4:25 left in the third quarter.
Freshman Jon Cole put the Aztecs in great field position after his kickoff return which put Pima on the Western 48-yardline. Martin connected with sophomore Jeff Cotton (Mountain View HS) on a 33-yard pass and with the help of a couple of penalties, the Aztecs found themselves at the 3-yardline. Martin and Hoffman bobbled a handoff and the Matadors recovered at their own 2-yardline.
The Aztecs had three turnovers, a turnover on downs, a missed field goal and two punts for the second half.
The Aztecs will be back at Kino North Stadium on Saturday when they host Phoenix College at 7:00 p.m. for "Halloween Costume Night." Fans who wear a costume will have free entry and a costume contest will be held at halftime.
AWC 14 0 7 0 21
PCC 3 6 0 0 9
Caymen Metcalf/Photo by Ben Carbajal