2025 High School Football

Balanced game propels Pusch Ridge over Sabino in 3A East matchup

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Pusch Ridge receiver Dominic Painter with his first of two touchdowns in the Lions’ 27-8 win over Sabino (Lexie Fegan/AllSportsTucson)

In a battle of the last two 3A state champions, Pusch Ridge used a balanced game plan, executing in all phases to secure a 27-8 win over host Sabino on Friday night.

Sabino beat Paradise Honors in 2023 for the Sabercats’ fourth state championship. Pusch Ridge beat ALA-West Foothills last year keeping the 3A championship trophy in Southern Arizona.

After his team’s tough 28-14 loss at Thatcher last week that snapped the Lions’ school-record 17-game winning streak, Pusch Ridge coach Kent Middleton used the week leading up to the game against Sabino to refocus his team.

“They (Thatcher) took it too us pretty good, so we talk this week about being a little more physical, being a lot more physical ‘cuz that’s what we need to do. We need to get more physical and I think we were tonight,” said Middleton. “The key thing is toughness. We made a point all week of being more aggressive on defense not playing catch so much.

“Last week, we were playing catch and when they came at us, coming down hill at us. We didn’t respond real well, so we worked all week long on going after people and I think we did. I think we were better at that.”

Pusch Ridge’s defense held a Sabino team that is averaging 29 points a game to eight points, the Sabercats’ second-lowest offensive output of the year. Sabino scored six points in its loss at rival Sahuaro last week (in a 44-6 decision).

“We were really focusing on our inside linebackers trying to get their reads done and all that stuff but I mean coach (Jeff) Drescher has been harping on it. He’s the defensive coordinator. He’s always saying, ‘Do your job,’ so everyone just doing their job, that’s what got it done,” Pusch Ridge defensive end Aaron Kenworthy said.

Kenworthy isn’t just a huge part of the Lions’ defense, he also plays on the offensive line and has become the go-to punter for the Lions.

“In warm ups, I wasn’t punting too good, so I didn’t know how it was gonna to go. Then, I was a little nervous but then I settled down. Coach told me what to do, how to approach the ball, follow through and everything, and that’s what got me,” Kenworthy said about punting.

While the Pusch Ridge defense was the star of the show, the offense used a multi-faceted approach to find the end zone.

“We’ve got a very diverse offense. We can throw the ball. We can run it most of the time, and we come out with a lot of different formations and stuff like that, so it’s a very good, intricate and diverse offense.” Middleton said.

The Lions’ offensive scheme puts quarterback Race Pinneo under center as well as in the shotgun.

On his preference of being in the shotgun or under center, Pinneo said, “Obviously I like being back being able to sling it. That’s where I feel my happy set is, but our run game was incredible tonight. We were able to hit every gap. We were able to get our kick blocks, get our pull blocks, and so we realized at one point it’s like we can just run the ball. If we can run the ball, we can score touchdowns. I’ve got no problem being under center but I’m just glad we can be versatile doing both things.”

Slinging it worked well for Pinneo and his Lions’ team as he found receiver Dominic Painter twice for touchdowns and Levi Adcock for a touchdown and a two-point conversion.

“Race did a good job. He’s a good little quarterback. He’s kind of gutsy and he gets the job done.” Middleton said.

Pusch Ridge (5-1, 3-1 3A East) got on the board first after a strange kickoff to start the game from Sabino.

The ball appeared to dribble off the tee giving Pusch Ridge a first down deep in Sabino territory.

The Lions cashed in on the muff when Pinneo threw a quick pass to Adcock who ran down the left field line for a touchdown.

A block by Sabino on the extra point gave Pusch Ridge a 6-0 lead.

With 56 seconds left in the first quarter, Pinneo handed the ball off to Dylan Shoaff, who ran up the middle thanks to a nice hole created by the offensive line, scoring the Lions’ second touchdown of the game.

A quick pass from Pinneo to Adcock resulted in a successful two-point conversion extending the Pusch Ridge lead to 14-0.

Pusch Ridge’s defense held Sabino on a fourth-and-1 at the Sabino 29.

The Lions put together a solid offensive possession that started with a run by Josiah Jones and ended with a tip catch in the end zone by Painter. The extra point was good and Pusch Ridge held a 21-0 lead with 7:54 left in the first half.

Sabino (3-4, 2-1) scored their first and only touchdown of the game when quarterback Bodhi Sanford handed the ball to running back Jaydon Elliot, who ran it in for the score at the 3:31 mark in the second quarter.

The Sabercats were successful on their two-point conversion on a short pass from Stanford to Ty Cassidy and the two teams went into the locker room at the half with Pusch Ridge leading 21-8.

The final touchdown of the game came off of a home run pass from Pinneo to Painter. The extra point try was no good.

Next Up:

Pusch Ridge hosts Coolidge (3-2, 1-2) on Friday while Sabino has a bye this week before playing at Florence on Oct. 17.

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