Marana's late defensive stand helps Tigers hold off Ironwood Ridge

For the first time in Marana football history, the Tigers beat Ironwood Ridge — and they did it in a close game on the road, 20-13 on Friday night.

The Nighthawks had 38.7 seconds left in the game when they took over their last possession, thanks to a turnover on downs, but were unable to string together a drive that could have tied the score — or possibly give I-Ridge the win.

The victory gives the Tigers their first region win and breaks a two-game losing streak.

“I said before we came out, ‘We’re not leaving without a W,’” Marana coach Louie Ramirez said. “And our guys did that. They came out, they fought their tails off and executed the game plan.”

Marana (5-2, 1-1) started freshman quarterback Treyson Bourguet, who turned a trick play on the fifth play of the game into a score and an early 7-0 lead. The youngest Bourguet pitched to senior Trenton Bourguet — the Tigers’ usual quarterback — who looked to run to the right side, but instead threw to Diego Miranda.

The freshman quarterback bowed out of the game after the opening drive and handed the reigns over to big brother Trenton.

I-Ridge coach Matt Johnson said the Nighthawks weren’t surprised to see Trenton take over shortly after the start of the game.

“We were expecting to see No. 5 and my hat’s off to him, coming back from his injury like that this quickly,” Johnson said.

I-Ridge responded less than a minute later on its first possession, thanks to a 51-yard rushing touchdown by Nathan Grijalva, to tie the game.

Although each team came out with strong opening punches, the action slowed down entering the second quarter.

A Marana touchdown pass to Xoeius Ratliffe and a missed 35-yard field goal attempt by I-Ridge made the score 14-7 in the Tigers’ favor at halftime.

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The Nighthawks (3-4, 1-1) closed out the third quarter with a 70-plus yard punt return by Kyle Nicolai, but a missed extra point kept I-Ridge behind 14-13.

Trenton Bourguet scored on a keeper in the fourth to make it 20-13.

“Both teams, I think, were playing their hearts out,” Johnson said. “I thought our kids’ effort was great. It’s one of those where you look back at a couple plays and you just wish they’d gone differently. My hat’s off to them.”

Grijalva led the I-Ridge offense with 128 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries.

For the Tigers, Ratliffe ran for 60 yards on 15 carries and scored once. Instead of throwing as much as usual, Bourguet — who bounced back from a concussion last week — worked the running game.

That included using Ratliffe more.

“Xo is one of the best tailbacks in the state — I don’t care what anyone says,” Ramirez said. “Anyway we can get this kid the ball and get him in space, he’s a hard-nosed runner that a lot of people don’t know about.”

I-Ridge will continue its season Friday at Sunnyside, while Marana will travel to Cienega.

Bourguet said he’s had the I-Ridge and Cienega games in the back of his mind all season as the most important games for him. He’s especially ready for Cienega, considering the last time they played, the Bobcats won by three points in the second round of the state playoffs last year.

“I’m glad we got this one out of the way,” Bourguet said. “I’m ready for Cienega and see what we can do against them.”