The Wildcats suffered their second straight setback on Friday night, losing at home to Pima 48-8. Much like Joseph City the Roughriders are steeped in successful football tradition, and this year they look like another powerhouse team from the South region.
Pima scored at the 9:33 mark of the opening period on a 53-yard touchdown, the first of what would become seven unanswered Roughrider touchdowns. The visitors added two more scores in the opening frame, one a nine-yard scoring pass and the other a 21-yard run.
Leading 18-0 in the second, Pima extended that margin to 32-0 at the half with two more rushing scores. The first was from only eight yards out but the second was a more spectacular 97-yard run.
Pima scored on a pass and a run in the third period, building a 46-0 cushion.
Late in the third the Wildcats finally got on the board when Troy Poudrier turned a blocked punt into six points for the home team. Hayden Hendricks tacked on the final two points for the Cats on the conversion run, making the score 46-8.
Pima scored the final points of the night late in the fourth period, tackling Hendricks in the end zone for a safety.
“This was another tough one. I do think we are improving in the right places,” said Coach Eldon Larsen.
Pima dominated both on the scoreboard and statistically. The Roughriders outgained Joseph City 468 yards to 46. The visitors did most of their damage on the ground, piling up 414 rushing yards. Their defense was stellar, limiting the Cats to a minus 10 yards rushing.
Hendricks completed four of 17 passes for the Cats for 56 yards in the air. Koby Smith was on the receiving end of three of those aerials for 55 yards. Poudrier caught the other pass for a one-yard gain. On the ground the Cats were stymied all night. Poudrier rushed 11 times, gaining six yards. Cody Runyan and Hendricks both had negative net yards on 11 combined attempts.
Defensively, Koby Smith led the team with 11 tackles. Poudrier was credited with 8.5; Kaden Westover and Sam Johnstun, five each; and Forester Flake, 4.5.
The Wildcats, now 1-2, have a great opportunity to balance their record this week with a trip to Gilbert, where they will face the Chargers from Arete Prep. Last year Joseph City beat this team 56-16 and this year the Chargers are off to an 0-2 start.
