Pima College entered Saturday’s home opener hungry to prove themselves.
Then, they feasted on Artichokes.
Playing in the final home opener in program history, the Aztecs overcame a shaky first half to No. 4 Scottsdale 23-9 at Kino North Stadium. The emotional opener marked another final first; Pima’s program will fold following this season, the result of budget cuts and a reaction to Maricopa County’s decision to do the same.
“I was here on our first home opener and we beat the defending national champions,” Pima coach Jim Monaco said. “It was our last home opener and we beat the No. 4 team in the nation.”
The game was tied 6-6 at halftime. Then the Aztecs went to work — Jon Cole’s second touchdown reception of the night allowed Pima to regain the lead, 13-6.
The Artichokes made it a four-point game with a field goal late in the quarter, but the Aztecs hit back quickly. Pima’s Diamante Burton returned Scottsdale’s ensuing kickoff for more than 90 yards for a touchdowns. The Aztecs capped off the game with a field goal with less than two minutes remaining.
“For 60 minutes, these kids never stopped playing. For 60 minutes,” Monaco said. “They were amazing tonight. (I) couldn’t ask for more. I don’t think I could have gotten more out of them.”
Both teams started slowly. Scottsdale received the opening kickoff and was able to move the ball all the way to the Pima 18-yard line. The drive stalled, however, and the Artichokes were forced to settle for a field goal.
After eight failed drives ended by punts, fumbles or interceptions, Pima’s Leonard Lee made a crucial play. Scottsdale was facing first-and-10 at the Pima 22 yard-line in the second quarter when quarterback Kare Lyles threw into the end zone; Lee picked him off. The Aztecs then covered the field in four plays, with quarterback Brooks Ringer finding Cole for his first score.
“I just try to help the team out any way possible,” Lee said. “If I can get an interception, then I’m going to try my best to do that. It’s really our job to get the offense the ball, and we got them the ball and they did their thing. They drove it down the field and got the score. That was amazing.”
Pima sophomore Christian Maddox said the defense prepared all week for the game, and wasn’t surprised that the Aztecs pulled the upset.
“Scottsdale was sleeping on us — they weren’t ready for us,” Maddox said. “They didn’t know the defense we had.”
The Aztecs studied the Artichokes’ film during the week, and it showed.
“From film, I recognized the play I got the interception on,” said Maddox, who snagged one of the two Scottsdale interceptions in the first half. “It’s just the coverage that we’re in.”
The Artichokes tied the game with 24 seconds left in the first half, once again on a field goal.
Each team committed three first-half turnovers. Scottsdale had four more in the second half, while the Aztecs only had one.
The win extends Pima’s winning streak to three, after dropping its season opener. The Aztecs will continue their season next Saturday, when they host Glendale.
“We have to get real,” Monaco said. “We have to get back to work on Monday. We have Glendale coming in, but we just beat the No. 4 team in the country. I feel pretty damn good right now.”
