Going into their 3A East regional matchup with Safford, Pusch Ridge had already secured their spot as the top team in the region and an automatic bid in the playoffs.
The Lions (8-1, 6-0) continued their undefeated 3A East dominance with a 45-0 victory over the Bulldogs (4-4, 1-3) in Lions Stadium on Friday night.
“We made sure that we gave them our best shot; we made sure this week’s practices were intense, focused and it’s just like any other game we play. We can’t take anybody lightly got to be ready for everybody to go in and fortunately things were able to work out for us.” Pusch Ridge head coach Kent Middleton said on preparing for Safford.
After a dominant 45-0 win over Safford on senior night, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy head coach Kent Middleton talks about his preparation for Safford, keeping the team focused while leading by a significant amount, the thoughts behind a two QB rotation and the herculean challenge of Benjamin Franklin in two weeks.
Note: I mistakenly said the score was 42-0 in the interview.
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— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) October 17, 2026
After winning the coin toss and electing to receive, the Lions marched down the field scoring their first of six touchdowns when Senior quarterback MJ Buckner connected with senior receiver Levi Adcock who used his athletic ability to run it in for a 20-yard touchdown.
MJ Buckner hits Levi Adcock for a 20-yard completion. Adcock does the rest finding the end zone for a PRCA touchdown.
With 6:33 to go in the first quarter it’s PRCA 6 and Safford 0.
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— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) October 17, 2026
Safford recovered a fumble at their own 15-yard line halting a Lions’ scoring threat, but they were not able to capitalize on the turnover.
With a little under three minutes left in the first quarter, Pusch Ridge used a 16-yard Buckner keeper followed by a 16-yard run from Marshall Williamson to set up a Buckner to Adcock 5-yard touchdown pass.
Buckner with keeper for 16 yards, Marshall Williamson gets the handoff and takes it for 16.. then Buckner finds Adcock wide open for a PRCA touchdown.
At the end of the first quarter PRCA leads Safford 14-0.
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— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) October 17, 2026
At the end of the first quarter, Pusch Ridge held a 14-0 lead over Safford.
Race Pinneo, in at quarterback to start the second quarter, handed off to Vincent Plimpton who ran up the middle for a touchdown putting the Lions up 21-0 with 6:34 left in the half.
Race Pinneo, in at QB to start the second quarter hands off to Vincent Plimpton who runs it in from the 12 for another PRCA touchdown.
With 6:34 left in the second quarter it’s Pusch Ridge-21, Safford-0.
@AllSportsTucson @PRCAFootball @RyanScherlingAD https://t.co/QrvgaFt0Oq
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) October 17, 2026
The Lions run a two quarterback rotation.
On how he and Pinneo handle the rotation, Bucker said, “I think me and Race handle it well, we both encourage each other no matter who does well each game who doesn’t do good that game, we are there to pick each other up. I think that having a lefty quarterback and a righty quarterback makes it difficult for defense having to plan for both not just one.”
Pusch Ridge went up 28-0 with three minutes to go in the first half when Colton Bogard caught a short pass from Buckner and ran in from 32 yards out.
Buckner, back in at QB finds Colton Bogard who runs it in for a 32-yard touchdown putting PRCA up 28-0 over Safford with three minutes to go in the first half.
@AllSportsTucson @PRCAFootball @RyanScherlingAD https://t.co/lR1oDIu5MH
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) October 17, 2026
Coming out of halftime trailing 28-0, Safford’s opening drive was thwarted by a 40-yard pick-six by Andrew Fontagneres giving the Lions a 35-0 lead.
40-yard Pick-six by Andrew Fontagneres puts Pusch Ridge up 35-0 over Safford with 10:55 to go in the third quarter.
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— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) October 17, 2026
Pusch added their final touchdown with 3:59 left in the third quarter off of a Buckner to Hagen Severson 10-yard pass in the endzone.
Buckner to Hagen Severson for a 10-yard score.
With 3:59 left in the third quarter, Pusch Ridge leads Safford 42-0.
@AllSportsTucson @PRCAFootball https://t.co/rZh59GTsXg
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) October 17, 2026
Brayden Nolen intercepted Safford quarterback Parker Whisman returning it to the Bulldogs’ 26-yard line setting up a Kamden Cummins 35-yard field goal.
Interception by Braydan Nolen gives Pusch the ball at the Safford 26.
A 35-yard field goal by Kamden Cummins give the Lions a 45-0 lead over Safford with 4:12 to go in the game.
@AllSportsTucson @PRCAFootball https://t.co/PgWtlg3FAW
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) October 17, 2026
Cummins intercepted Whisman with under three minutes remaining in the game securing the 45-0 shutout for Pusch Ridge.
Interception by Kamden Cummins gives the ball back to the Lions at the Bulldog 21.
@AllSportsTucson @PRCAFootball https://t.co/WJxYe0a9qT
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) October 17, 2026
Buckner ended senior night throwing for four touchdowns and gave credit to his offensive line and receivers for his success.
“Just great potection from our line just giving me great time in the pocket to really see what the defense is doing and then our receivers running great routes.” Buckner said.
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy senior quarterback MJ Buckner threw for four touchdowns in the Lions’ 45-0 win over Safford.
He gives his thoughts on the big win on senior night, the support he and Race Pinneo give each other in the quarterback rotation and playing top rated 3A Benjamin Franklin after their bye week bye week.
@AllSportsTucson @PRCAFootball
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) October 17, 2026
Two of Buckners touchdown passes went to his senior receiver Adcock.
“They were just great balls, they were all designed great play calls from our offensive coordinator. We couldn’t have done it without our offensive line, couldn’t have done it without the coaches, couldn’t have done it without any of the guys there blocking.” Adcock said.
“It was a really fun game.”
Senior receiver Levi Adcock talks about his two touchdown senior night in the Lions’ 45-0 win over Safford, gives kudos to the defense and offensive line, and talks about the Pusch Ridge football brotherhood.
*Incorrect score given in interview by the interviewer (me).
@AllSportsTucson @PRCAFootball
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) October 17, 2026
Cummins, had a flawless senior night nailing all six extra points, booted a 35-yard field goal and grabbed an interception.
“I can’t thank my special team’s coordinator enough and how he sets up things it’s just so well organized so well planned out. I can’t thank my long snapper enough and my holder MJ Buckner like without them I wouldn’t be able to kick those extra points.” Cummins said.
Senior Kamden Cummins was a perfect 6-for-6 on extra points, hit a 35-yard field goal and had an interception in Pusch Ridge’s 45-0 dominant win over Safford.
Cummins talks about the support he has around him when kicking, his interception and preparing for Benjamin Franklin.
@AllSportsTucson @PRCAFootball
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) October 17, 2026
Pusch Ridge has a bye week and then travels to play their last regular season game at 3A Metro Benjamin Franklin (8-0, 4-0) on October 30.
“We are facing a herculean task in Benjamin Franklin because they’re a step up, they’re a great, great football team this year. They’re always a great football team. There’s some stuff we got to clean up and sharpen up and hopefully we are ready for that game. We know what we are going into and we know it’s going to be a difficult situation.” Middleton said on the Lions’ game against the top ranked Chargers.
Safford will head to Florence for a 3A East region game with the Gophers on October 23. They end regular season play at home against Sabino on Oct. 29.
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