Photos: Marana edges visiting Salpointe in the last seconds 27-24 to open their seasons, high school football
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Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
- Updated
The Tigers get at TD and two-point conversion with 17 seconds left for only their second lead of the night in a 27-24 win over the Lancers in the season opener for both squads, Marana High School, August 30, 2024.
Marana quarterback Colten Meyer’s (16) second-effort gets into the end zone on a two point conversion in the final seconds for the final points during the Tigers’ 27-24 win over Salpointe Catholic on Aug. 30 in Marana.
Marana's Jeffrey Smith III (33) takes a poke in the eye turning the corner on Salpointe's Thomas Regina (22) in the first quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana quarterback Colten Meyer (16) throws the game-winning pass over the rush from Salpointe Catholic’s Dinos Drossos (15) in the waning seconds of the the Tigers victory over the Lancers on Aug. 30 in Marana.
Marana's Dominic Cillitto (6) cradles the game-winning touchdown throw alone in the end zone in the fourth quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's quarterback Matthew Avelar (2) beats Marana's Wyatt Berry (10) to the pylon and score in the third quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's Cade Paglinawan (9) celebrates after the Lancers made a goal line stand against Marana in the fourth quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana's Dezmen Roebuck (1) drags down Salpointe's quarterback Matthew Avelar (2) for a sack in the third quarter at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana's Jeffrey Smith III (33) pushes his way past Salpointe's Richard Archuleta (5) on a first quarter sweep, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's Axel Martinez (26) trots in untouched after scooping up a Lancer fumble against Marana in the first quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's quarterback Matthew Avelar (2) goes down for a sack in the arms of Marana's Christian Berrios (8), left, Justin Elder (56) and Javi Muro (44) in the first quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's RJ Gory (87) slips the grip of Marana's Wyatt Berry (10) and eventually ends up in the end zone after a catch and run TD in the quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana's Jaxsun Sharp (12) gains ground while being pursued by Salpointe's Thomas Regina (22), left, and Salpointe's Dinos Drossos (15) at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana's Dermain Linen Jr (2) does just enough to spoil the reception for Salpointe's Morgan Quiri (14) on a deep throw in the second quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana's Dezmen Roebuck (1) batters Salpointe's Matthew Avelar (2) out of bounds in the second quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's Axel Martinez (26) lunges for a final yard in the arms of Marana's Dezmen Roebuck (1), top and Dominic Olivas (9) during the second quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana's Dezmen Roebuck (1) wraps up Salpointe's RJ Gory (87) after a catch at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's Nathan Spivey (8) loses his grip on the ball trying to get up the middle against Marana in the second quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's Cade Paglinawan (9) and Salpointe's Noah Banhie (99) sack Marana's quarterback Colten Meyer (16) in the early going of the third quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's quarterback Matthew Avelar (2) swings a pass to Salpointe's Axel Martinez (26) against Marana in the third quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana's Dezmen Roebuck (1) takes advantage of a slip by Salpointe's Alon Deon (17) in the third quarter in Marana on Aug. 30, 2024.
Salpointe's Richard Archuleta (5), left, and Alon Deon (17) drag down Marana's Jaxsun Sharp (12) after his catch in the third quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana’s Greg Webb (11) puts the hit on a Salpointe running back for what was eventually ruled a fourth-quarter safety — the second Tiger safety on the night in a win over the Lancers on Aug. 30 in Marana.
Marana's Greg Webb (11) asks the official for a safety call after his tackle late in the fourth quarter in their high school football game against Salpointe, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's Morgan Quiri (14) brings down a catch despite being the arms of Marana's Dermain Linen Jr (2) in the fourth quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe’s Magnus Goodman gets enough fingers on the ball to keep Marana’s Dezmen Roebuck from hauling in a catch in the fourth quarter on Aug. 30.
Salpointe’s Dinos Drossos stretches the jersey of Marana’s Sean Roebuck, stopping him after a catch in the fourth quarter of their Aug. 30, 2024, game.
Marana receiver Dezmen Roebuck (1), left, and quarterback Colten Meyer (16) celebrate Meyer’s two-point conversion run in the final seconds of the fourth quarter of the Tigers’ win over Salpointe Catholic on Aug. 30, 2024, in Marana.
Marana's Dezmen Roebuck (1) jumps for joy after making the game icing interception in the last seconds of the fourth quarter against Salpointe in Marana on Aug. 30, 2024.
The Tigers run onto the field in the last of the day’s light to take on Salpointe at Marana High School, the opener for both teams, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
London Sharp tries to get a high pressure drink from the Marana team water tank just before the Tigers kick off against Salpointe, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana's Andres Taylor (7) gets a hug in the aftermath of the Tigers 27-24 upset of visiting Salpointe, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's head coach Pat Ryder and the bench call in an offensive play in the third quarter at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's head coach Pat Ryder/ waits to give an interview as the his Lancers prepare to take on Marana, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana head coach Phillip Steward waits to give a pre-game interview as the Tigers get ready to face Salpointe in Marana on Aug. 30. The Tigers won that game, and every one since, jumping out to a 6-0 record and the state’s No. 1 spot in both the Class 5A and ‘Open’ rankings.
Marana's head coach Phillip Steward calls in the offensive set in a goal line situation during the first quarter against Salpointe, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's head coach Pat Ryder and the Lancers make their way to the bench to get ready for the third quarter at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's head coach Pat Ryder awaits the damage on a penalty call against his Lancers late in the fourth quarter at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
The Salpointe bench and staff reacts after the Lancers picked up a penalty on fourth down, pushing them back on a field goal attempt against Marana in the fourth quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
As featured on
High school football: Marana wins big, Desert Christian wins for 1st timeHigh school football across Tucson and surrounding communities: A look back at the first full week of action, including big early-season wins by Marana High School, Sahuaro, and newcomer Desert Christian, and big college moments by former Salpointe, Canyon del Oro prep stars.
Marana High School star quarterback Colten Meyer helped the Tigers take down Salpointe Catholic in Week 1.
Marana was named the top team in the first Open Division rankings after starting the season 6-0. The Tigers are the only Southern Arizona team on track to make the Open Division. Plus, Marana High School is honoring its 1964 state championship team.
