Photos: Pusch Ridge loses in a heart breaker to Blue Ridge, 20-17, State 3A high school football playoffs
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Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
- Updated
The Lions and Yellow Jackets exchange field goals in the dying minutes of a see-saw fourth quarter as Blue Ridge comes out on top 20-17 in the first round of the 3A playoffs at PRCA, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Teammates offer support to Pusch Ridge's Sam Avery (62) as the players gather shortly after the Lions fell to Blue Ridge 20-17 on a last minute field goal in their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Elliot Lovett (9) leaps in to intercept a pass intended for Blue Ridge's David Simmons (1), double-covered by Tyler Drescher (1) during their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Blue Ridge's David Simmons (1) gets to the long-bomb pass behind Pusch Ridge's Elliot Lovett (9) in the second quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023. Simmons was downed at the 11, setting up a Yellow Jacket field goal.
Pusch Ridge's Tyler Drescher (1) tries to shovel the ball off while in the arms of Blue Ridge's Matt Simington (23) as the Lions resort to several laterals trying to score on the game’s final play trailing 20-17 in the fourth quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Sawyer Allen (21) picks up a penalty trying to block Blue Ridge's Matt Simington (23) on Elliot Lovett’s (9) interception return in their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
The Pusch Ridge players enter the field to go against Blue Ridge for their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Noah Secrest (7) has a touchdown catch slip through his arms behind Blue Ridge's Matt Simington (23) late in the fourth quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's John Palmer (52), left, Tyler Drescher (1) and Sawyer Allen (21) gang tackle Blue Ridge's Karlo Harris (12) in the first quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Dominic Painter (12) gets hit from all sides by Blue Ridge's Matt Simington (23) and Karlo Harris (12) after his catch in the backfield in their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Elliot Lovett (9) can’t wrest the ball out of the hands of Blue Ridge's David Simmons (1) and giving up an interception in the second quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Blue Ridge's Karlo Harris (12) gets dumped on his head by Pusch Ridge's Sam Avery (62) on his second quarter run during the State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Bubba Mustain (2) tries to pick up some extra yards in the grip of Blue Ridge's Trenyn Trickey (8) in their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Blue Ridge's David Simmons (1) gets enough space to reel in a catch in front of Pusch Ridge's Tyler Drescher (1) and an eventual touchdown in the third quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Bubba Mustain (2) runs behind the block of Tyler Drescher (1) on Blue Ridge's David Simmons (1) in their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
During last year’s Class 3A playoffs, Pusch Ridge’s Jacob Newborn (4) tries to work his way past Blue Ridge’s David Simmons (1) during a game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy on Nov. 3, 2023.
Blue Ridge's David Simmons (1) cradles a catch and just enough yardage for a first down in front of Pusch Ridge's John Sunukjian (35) during their opening round game of the State 3A playoffs at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Sawyer Allen (21), left, and Charles Palmer (84) team up to bring down Blue Ridge's Jace Barton (41) on a carry in their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Blue Ridge's Noah Chee (16) rides down Pusch Ridge's Jacob Newborn (4) in the first quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Bubba Mustain (2) gets off a first quarter pass despite the pressure from Blue Ridge's Anthony Seitz (60) in the State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge head coach Kent Middleton has a pat on the head for Tyler Drescher (1) after a Lion defensive stand against Blue Ridge in the second quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy in Tucson on Nov. 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Sam Avery (62) holds on to get Blue Ridge's Jace Barton (41) on his run into the line in the first quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Blue Ridge's Jace Barton (41) savors his touchdown catch over Pusch Ridge's Jacob Newborn (4) in the fourth quarter of the State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Blue Ridge's Caleb Mink (13), left, and David Simmons (1) celebrate as the clock runs out on Pusch Ridge and a 20-17 Yellow Jacket win in the first round of the State 3A playoffs at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Linebacker coach Steven Hancock holds Pusch Ridge's Tyler Drescher (1) as the Lions gather in the aftermath of their 20-17 loss to Blue Ridge in the opening game of the State 3A playoffs at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
As featured on
High school football: 10 Tucson-area teams, paced by Canyon del Oro (10-0), reach state playoffsIncluding unbeaten Canyon del Oro, 10 high school football teams from Tucson and surrounding areas have earned AIA state tournament berths this year. Two of those — Sabino and Tanque Verde — won their 3A and 2A playoff openers last week.
High School football: Last year's state playoff heartbreak is what's fueling Pusch Ridge Christian Academy to strive further in 2024.
