No Elk tag this year
By Jon Johnson
jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com
PIMA – The Pima Roughriders’ highly anticipated debut on their new high school field turned into a night to forget as the 3A Round Valley Elks delivered a commanding 36-0 victory over the 2A Roughriders. The game, marked by a ceremonial game ball delivery via PHI Air Medical Helicopter at midfield, saw Round Valley dominate by capitalizing on Pima’s miscues and stifling their offense.
The evening began with fanfare as the helicopter’s landing set an electric atmosphere. Pima won the coin toss and deferred, giving Round Valley the first possession. Early on, the game showed promise of a defensive battle. On Round Valley’s opening drive, quarterback Kage Finch scrambled for a first down on 3rd-and-8, but the very next play saw Pima’s Emmet McBiles intercept a pass and return it eight yards to the Pima 48. The Roughriders’ offense, led by sophomore quarterback Ryett McBiles, responded with a 10-yard run by Joe Palmer to cross into the Elks’ territory. However, a low snap led to a fumbled handoff by Rooster Alder, and Round Valley recovered, halting Pima’s momentum.
The first quarter ended scoreless, with both teams trading defensive stands. Pima’s offense showed flashes, with McBiles connecting with Kaiden Davis for a 34-yard gain and Rooster Alder for a 27-yard pickup along the sideline. But miscues plagued the Roughriders, including another fumbled snap between McBiles and Palmer, recovered by Round Valley’s Brody Kelepolo at the Elks’ 34. The Elks’ defense, led by Kamaurie Erhart’s sack on McBiles, kept Pima’s offense in check.
Round Valley broke the deadlock in the second quarter. After a first-down pass to Erhart and a run by Brody Crick to the Pima 17, Crick punched in a 17-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful extra point to give the Elks a 7-0 lead with 10:42 left in the half. Pima’s woes continued as Davis muffed the ensuing kickoff, pinning the Roughriders at their own 14. After a punt, Round Valley took over at Pima’s 45 and struck quickly, with Finch finding Erhart for a 33-yard gain. Though Pima’s Mason Skinner recovered a fumble to stop one Elks drive, Round Valley’s defense held firm. With just 44 seconds left in the half, Finch connected with Crick on a 7-yard touchdown pass on 4th-and-4, pushing the lead to 14-0 at halftime. Pima’s three second-quarter possessions ended in three straight punts, underscoring their struggles.
The third quarter saw Round Valley continue to dominate. Pima’s offense, despite a 32-yard pass from McBiles to Keegan Corona, couldn’t sustain drives. A highlight for the Roughriders came when Rooster Alder intercepted a pass that bounced off two Elks players, but Pima failed to capitalize, turning the ball over on downs after an incomplete pass by McBiles on 4th-and-4. Round Valley’s Brody Crick broke free for a 30-yard touchdown run, followed by a two-point conversion by Brenton Walker after a mishandled snap, making it 22-0.
The fourth quarter opened with another Crick 30-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 29-0 with 11:46 remaining. Pima’s offense showed brief signs of life, with McBiles connecting with Corona and Davis for first downs and scrambling for another, but the drive ended with an interception by Round Valley’s Titan Myers. A desperate fake punt attempt by Pima’s Gilbert Bryce resulted in another fumble, recovered by Jaxson Crick. With the game out of reach and only 45 seconds left, Round Valley opted to run a play instead of taking a knee, allowing Myers to score a 27-yard touchdown. The extra point sealed the 36-0 final score, and the referees ran out the clock without a kickoff.
For Pima, Ryett McBiles completed 9 of 16 passes for 166 yards but threw one interception and lost a fumble. Joe Palmer led the rushing attack with 12 carries for 25 yards (2.1 yards per carry), while Rooster Alder had 8 carries for 17 yards (2.1 yards per carry) and lost a fumble. Receiving, Kaiden Davis caught 3 passes for 41 yards (13.7 yards per catch), Keegan Corona had 3 catches for 46 yards (15.3 yards per catch), and Alder added 2 catches for 27 yards (13.5 yards per catch). Defensively, Alder and Charles Richardson each recorded a sack, while Alder and Emmett McBiles both had interceptions, and Mason Skinner contributed with a fumble recovery.
For Round Valley, Brody Crick was the standout, scoring three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) and making big plays throughout. Kage Finch orchestrated the offense effectively, scrambling for key first downs and throwing a touchdown pass. The Elks’ defense, led by Erhart and Jaxson Crick’s sacks, stifled Pima’s offense, forcing turnovers and punts.
Pima’s new field opener was marred by self-inflicted wounds, with three fumbles, an interception, and a failed fake punt. Despite flashes of potential from McBiles’ passing and the receiving trio of Davis, Corona, and Alder, the Roughriders couldn’t overcome their turnovers and Round Valley’s relentless defense. The Elks capitalized on short fields and Pima’s mistakes, with Crick’s versatility and Finch’s poise proving too much for the Roughriders to handle.
The Roughriders (1-1 conference, 1-2 overall) will look to regroup and make their next game on the new field a memorable one as they next host the Willcox Cowboys on Friday, Sept. 12, starting at 7 p.m. The Cowboys (2-1 conference, 2-1 overall) are coming off a 23-14 victory over the Morenci Wildcats on Friday.
In other local Prep Action:
Willcox 23 Morenci 14
Willcox defeated Morenci 23-14. The Wildcats (0-2 conference, 1-2 overall) will next host the Bisbee Pumas on Friday, Sept. 12, starting at 7 p.m., while the Cowboys will visit Pima on the same date.
Benjamin Franklin 27 Thatcher 12
The Benjamin Franklin Chargers made their case to be ranked No. 1 in 3A with a 27-12 victory over Thatcher. The Eagles (2-1 conference, 2-1 overall) will next travel to Florence to take on the Gophers on Friday, Sept. 12, starting at 7 p.m.
Seton Catholic Prep 36 Safford 8
The Safford Bulldogs (0-2 conference, 0-3 overall) fell to Seton Catholic at home, 8-36. The Bulldogs will next visit Winslow for the battle of the Bulldogs on Friday, Sept. 12, starting at 7 p.m.
Valley Union 52 Duncan 6
Duncan fell 6-52 to Valley Union on the road. The Wildkats (1-1 conference, 1-2 overall) will next visit the St. David Tigers on Friday, Sept. 12, starting at 7 p.m.
Salome 66 Fort Thomas 24
The Fort (1-2 conference, 1-2 overall) had no answer to the Frogs and fell 24-66. The Apaches will next visit the Joseph City Wildcats on Thursday, Sept. 11, starting at 7 p.m.
