Martin Throws Three TDs but Aztec Football Comeback Falls Short at Glendale CC

The Pima Community College football team (3-5, 2-4 in WSFL) attempted to dig out of a 20-point deficit but fell short in the end on Saturday at Glendale Community College (3-6, 1-5).

The Aztecs surrendered 14 unanswered points in the third quarter but came back to score 14 points of their own in the fourth. They turned the ball over on downs with 1:45 left in their 30-24 loss to the Gauchos.

Down 30-10 entering the fourth quarter, the Aztecs started a drive on their own 28-yardline and scored when freshman quarterback Justin Martin (Pueblo HS) connected with sophomore wide receiver Caymen Metcalf for a 19-yard touchdown reception. The drive lasted 3:07 and cut Glendale's lead to 30-17 with 11:45 left.

The Aztecs forced the Gauchos to punt on next possession but Martin threw an interception as Glendale took over with 9:34 left in the game. The Aztecs' defense came through again forcing the Gauchos to punt the ball away. The Aztecs drove into Glendale's territory but a fumble knocked the Aztecs back 13-yards. On the next play, Martin found sophomore Jeff Cotton (Mountain View HS) downfield for the 48-yard touchdown reception as the Aztecs made it 30-24 with 5:24 left.

Sophomore Brandon Yamamoto (Basha HS) made a great tackle on third-down to force Glendale to punt with 3:02 left.

Martin found Cotton for a 35-yard completion to put them on their own 45-yardline. Freshman Christian Wilridge (Tombstone HS) gained four yards on the ground but Martin threw two incomplete passes. Martin ran it on fourth down but fell three yards short as time ran out on the Aztecs.

Martin threw three touchdowns in the game and Metcalf had two touchdown receptions as he caught an 18-yard pass from Martin with 26 seconds left in the half. Pima trailed 16-10 at halftime. Sophomore Cody Oswalt put the Aztecs on the board with a 24-yard field goal early in the second quarter as the Aztecs trailed 9-3 at that point.

Sophomore Paul Davis (Desert Edge HS) had an interception in the second quarter.

The Aztecs will close out the regular season next Saturday against Mesa Community College at Kino North Grandstand. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.

PCC      0      10      0      14      24
GCC     6      10      14      0      30 

Justin Martin (#19) and Jeff Cotton (#1)/Photo by Ben Carbajal