Before taking the field against No. 9 Eastern Arizona College on Saturday, Pima College coach Jim Monaco warned his team about distractions.
Yes, Saturday marked the Aztecs’ last-ever home game because of the school’s decision to eliminate the football program. And yes, the on-field matchup — against the only team to beat 14th-ranked Pima this season — was a daunting one.
The coach instead focused on the stakes. With a win Saturday, Pima would finish an undefeated home slate, secure postseason eligibility and, most of all, leave a legacy.
“It was about those kids today,” he said, “and they did it.”
And how: The Aztecs prevailed 28-26 in a nail-biter that came down to the final seconds. Pima’s Jake Smith blocked a 33-yard field goal attempt with six seconds remaining. His heroics came 38 seconds after Diamante Burton caught a seven-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Marquise Cooper for the go-ahead score.
Pima defensive lineman Supliani Mailei said the win proved at least one thing.
“All the work paid off,” Mailei said. “Coming from last season, losing most of our games, this definitely feels like we deserve it. This win is that much sweeter knowing we rolled through the punches.”
It was the second time the Aztecs (6-1 overall, 4-0 ACCAC) played the Gila Monsters — the first being the season opener in Safford, when Pima lost 21-0. Saturday’s game served as the conference game.
The rematch win secured Pima the No. 1 spot in the ACCAC, and made the Aztecs bowl-eligible. The Aztecs haven’t played in a bowl since 2004, when coach Jeff Scurran led the program to a Pilgrim’s Pride Bowl Classic upset win.
“Doesn’t mean we’ll get one, but we’re bowl-eligible,” Monaco said.
The Aztecs got on the board first on a safety during the Gila Monsters’ second drive. On the next possession, Pima added to the score with an 18-yard field goal.
By the end of the first quarter, starting quarterback Brooks Ringer had connected with Cooper for a 32-yard touchdown pass to make it 11-0.
Eastern (7-2, 4-1) scored early in the second quarter but likewise missed its PAT, making the score 11-6.
The Aztecs led 21-12 at halftime. Then they nearly blew it.
Pima was penalized five times for unsportsmanlike conduct in the second half, losing out on valuable yardage. Ringer left the game with an injury, and Cooper took over.
Eastern intercepted Cooper in the fourth quarter, but he recovered quickly.
The freshman found Burton to recover the lead, 28-26, with 44 seconds left in the game.
The Gila Monsters moved the ball from their own 35-yard to Pima’s 16-yard line and, on a first down, opted for a field goal with six seconds left in the game.
But the 33-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Jake Smith to secure the Pima win.
At first, Smith couldn’t believe what he had just done.
“I’m going to give that credit to (teammate) Tony Fair, too,” Smith said. “He blew up that guy to allow me to go free and allowed me to get the block.”
The Aztecs will close out the regular season on a two-game road trip starting next week at No. 8 Snow College. They’ll wrap up their final regular season at No. 11 Arizona Western in two weeks.
