Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Pima’s Tuddy Smart has been named the 2A Conference Defensive Player of the Year for 2023.
By Jon Johnson
PIMA – The Pima Roughriders had an incredible season in which they held their region opponents scoreless for the entire season while putting up 345 points themselves during the same period.
One of the main reasons for that incredible difference was senior linebacker Tuddy Smart, who had a nose for the ball and a nose for getting tackles for losses. One needs to look no further than the 2A State Championship game to see Smart in action, nailing the running backs in the backfield time after time.
Smart finished the season with 122 total tackles (56 solo), with 27 tackles for loss and 8 interceptions to win the 2A Conference Defensive Player of the Year and help lead Pima to a 13-1 record and state runner-up finish.
The rest of the major awards went to the 2A State Champion Scottsdale Christian Academy Eagles who took home Conference Coach of the Year (Mike Sheahan), Conference Offensive Player of the Year (QB Jack Atkinson), and Conference Player of the Year (Andrew Trapp).
2A All-Conference 1st Team – local members
Pima: Pepper Hughes (defensive lineman), Brock Haws (defensive lineman), Sam Ray (defensive utility/flex), Tuddy Smart (linebacker), Jaxon John (offensive utility/flex), Jaxon John (punt returner), Jeremiah Martinez (running back)
Willcox: Ed Tingle (offensive lineman)
Benson: Dalton Crockett (punter)
2A All-Conference 2nd Team – local members
Pima: Ryker Shupe (defensive back), Tuddy Smart (kickoff returner)
Willcox: Kash Macumber (defensive back), Landon Ward (punt returner)
Bisbee: Sebastian Lopez (linebacker)
