Pusch Ridge completed a 4-0 playoff run through the month of November to capture its first 3A state title since 2015 behind the passing and running of senior quarterback Jacob Newborn, a captain of the team.
Newborn’s playoff production in November:
- First round, 43-0 win over Blue Ridge — 8 of 15 for 166 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions and 16 carries for 57 yards and two touchdowns.
- Quarterfinals, 38-6 win over Paradise Honors — 13 of 19 for 165 yards with three touchdowns and one interception and 11 rushes for 45 yards
- Semifinals, 24-13 win over Franklin — 10 or 15 for 126 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and 16 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown.
- Championship, 26-7 over ALA-West Foothills — 13 of 20 for 198 yards with no touchdown or interceptions and 14 carries for 61 yards and two touchdowns.
The totals: 44 of 69 (63.8 percent) for 651 yards with five touchdowns and one interception and 57 rushes for 214 yards and five touchdowns.
For his performance in November, culminating with the convincing win over ALA-West Foothills in the championship game, Newborn is the Jet Sports Training Male Athlete of the Month.
.@PRCAFootball QB Jacob Newborn again was a catalyst for the Lions in their 26-7 win over ALA-West Foothills in the 3A championship tonight. He completed 14 of 21 pass attempts for 200 yards and rushed for 58 yards and two TDs on 14 carries. As a youngster, he cheered on Pusch… pic.twitter.com/TvEWktzCoT
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) December 1, 2024
2024 MALE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH HONORS
January 2024: Sunnyside soccer player Angel Bracamontes-Pulido
February 2024: Salpointe soccer player Leo Gutierrez
March 2024: Sunnyside baseball player Orlando Cobarrubias
April 2024: Bisbee baseball player Bryceton Meyer
May 2024: Marana track and field athlete Jaelen Collins
June 2024: Local youth baseball talent Carlo Rivero
July 2024: Sunnyside wrestler Sergio Vega
August 2024: Former Nogales infielder Demetrio Crisantes
September 2024: Marana football player Dezmen Roebuck
October 2024: Bisbee football player Sebastian Lopez
November 2024: Pusch Ridge football player Jacob Newborn
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon. He became an educator five years ago and is presently a special education teacher at Gallego Fine Arts Intermediate in the Sunnyside Unified School District.
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