The Thatcher Eagles have had Pusch Ridge Christian Academy’s number over the last few years until last week.
Last Friday, the Lions beat Thatcher 22-7 — the closest margin of victory all season — for PRCA’s first win over its Class 3A South rival since 2021.
Pusch Ridge Christian quarterback Jacob Newborn completed 20 of 28 passes (71.4%) for 315 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Lions’ triumph over Thatcher (7-2); he also had four tackles and a stop for loss at defensive back.
“The biggest difference this year is we went in there in attack-mode,” said Newborn. “There was no feeling it out, so that was big a difference. The guys came together and we believed we were capable of it. ... Thatcher is a great team, so all the respect in the world goes to those guys.”
Pusch Ridge (8-1) has won seven straight games and hosts Safford (4-5) on Friday night for its home finale before the 3A playoffs. Pusch Ridge Christian is currently fourth in the latest Class 3A state rankings.
Newborn is our high school football player of the week. Here’s what he discussed on ESPN Tucson’s “Spears and Ali” earlier this week, as the Lions hope to end the regular season with nine wins.
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.
Your top target last week was Elliott Lovett, the son of former Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Lamar Lovett. What kind of player is Elliott Lovett, who had nine receptions for 174 yards and a touchdown against Thatcher?
A: “Elliott is a hard worker, man. He’s a great athlete. He has two older brothers who were great athletes and great running backs at Pusch. It’s awesome to have a receiver like Elliott. I know I can trust him in one-on-ones; he’s going to go up there and get it. Great trust in him.”
Since losing to Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin, what’s been the recipe to the seven-game winning streak?
A: “We learned the importance of practice. Benjamin Franklin is a great team and they kicked our butts that game. We had a horrible week of practice. Just not focused and didn’t have good practices, and we thought we were going to go in there and do just fine. I think we learned the importance of how we practice is going to reflect in the game. That’s been key. We’ve come into practice every day and get locked in and do the things we need to do well. There’s a sense of humility now. We’re 8-1. That’s not a perfect record and there’s some improvements to make. There’s a sense of humility, hunger and knowledge, and we need to get better.”
What’s the focus this week with playoffs on the horizon?
A: “Our coaches have been preaching it since Saturday and all Monday. Our focus is Safford. We’re not talking about playoff seeds or this and that. Our whole focus is Safford. We’re not going to prepare for the playoffs or think about our seeding.”
How was it being the understudy to quarterback Bubba Mustain over the last few years? What did you learn?
A: “I got to be Bubba’s backup for two years. ... I learned about what type of competitor he is. He’s a tough dude. Nothing would ever pull him out of the game. That’s a huge thing I learned from. That competitiveness in him, he wouldn’t lose. You weren’t going to beat him. It was a mentality. That’s what I took for him.”
Are you from Tucson?
A: “Tucson has always been home. My dad was in the military growing up, so I was born in Georgia, moved to Virginia, Colorado, Nevada, but Tucson has been home for most of my life.”
What branch of military?
A: “First, he was in the Navy, then went to Air Force.”
Last season, Pusch Ridge’s Jacob Newborn (4) breaks up the middle between Catalina Foothills’s Rey Vasquez (9), top, and Boden Crane (2) in the fourth quarter of their game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy on Sept. 14, 2023
What inspired you to play football?
A: “My dad. Me and my dad used to throw football around in Colorado. When he went on deployment to Afghanistan, one of the last things he told me was that he can’t wait to throw a football with me when he got home in six months. That was something I pushed through and couldn’t wait to do. He continued to teach me the game my whole life, and I owe my ability to play this game because of him.”
What life principles have you learned being in a military family?
A: “To be OK with change. Sometimes change is hard, but there is good in change. If you’re able to see that, it’ll be less difficult along the way. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love being a military kid. I had it relatively easy compared to other kids. My dad only went on deployment once during his time in the Air Force, and I was too young to remember the times he went out to sea in the Navy. Compared to other kids, I had it relatively easy, and I was very blessed to have my dad come home from Afghanistan.”
What do you like to do outside of football?
A: “Very involved with my youth group at (Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene). ... I love hanging out with my family and my friends. I’m kind of a boring person. Just football and church for me. Football, family and church.”
What’s your favorite postgame meal?
A: “In-N-Out. ... Two four-by-fours — one with the onion and with the spread, then one with just lettuce and tomatoes, and then fries and a vanilla milkshake.”
What’s your favorite Halloween candy?
A: “Skittles, for sure.”
