By HANK ROBICHAUD
Pima Community College football team had its home opener on Sept. 29, defeating the No. 4 Scottsdale Artichokes.
The Artichokes came into the game with a 4-0 record, while Pima came in 2-1.
The Aztecs’ defense played great all night, however, and caused four turnovers.
Sophomore Macarius Blount brought in two interceptions, while sophomore Christian Maddoux had one.
Leonard Lee had the biggest of them all to change the momentum of the game for the Aztecs.
“I try and put in hours of film study a week also what we did was we try to disguise our coverages a lot,” defensive back Lee said. “I ended up dropping to the deep third, saw the seam route coming, and I jumped it.”
Pima’s offense couldn’t get it going early in the first half, only scoring the one touchdown by the hands of Jon Cole on a 26-yard pass.
Cole had a total of two touchdowns receiving, his second to take back the lead in the third making the score 13-6.
From that point, the Aztecs never looked back. The team added another 10 points to Scottsdale’s 3, leaving the final score at 23-9.
“These kids never stopped playing for 60 minutes,” Coach Jim Monaco said. “They were amazing tonight. I couldn’t ask for more and I don’t know that I could get more out of them.
“We have to get back at it on Monday because Glendale is a tough team, but we just beat the No. 4 team in the country. Feels great.”
On Sept. 22, the Aztecs went on the road for the third straight time to face off with the Phoenix College Bears. The Aztecs mauled the Bears 64-41.
However, both teams moved the ball with relative ease. The offense was able to throw the ball all over the field with the attack being led by freshman quarterback Brooks Ringer, who threw five touchdown passes. He also had an 8-yard rushing touchdown. Because of his performance, Ringer won the NJCAA Offensive Player of the Week.
Ringer’s leading receiver during the game was sophomore wideout Larry Rembert, who caught a total of seven balls for 218 yards and a touchdown.
Two more of Ringer’s touchdown passes were thrown to Cole, who also had 97 yards receiving.
The two other touchdowns were hauled in by sophomores Dylan Holt and Ransom Young.
The defense and special teams also played a big part in the win with two scores, one from each.
The defense scored a touchdown by the hands of sophomore Leonard Lee with a 50- yard interception return.
Blount ran back a kickoff 101 yards in the third quarter to stretch the lead to 56-27.
Ringer was named the NJCAA Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.
“I really owe it to the whole offense for my performance,” Ringer said. “Without the linemen blocking like they did and the receivers and backs making the plays that they did, none of that would have been possible.”