All Entries in the "Football" Category
Aztecs win running back recruiting battle
By MYLO ERICKSON
The Pima Community College football team came out on top in the recruiting battle for running back Mitch Fischer.
“Mitch is a great player and we are very happy about his commitment,” head coach Patrick Nugent said. “We will cross our fingers and hope he is here in August. Anything can happen from now until August.”
Fischer played for Ironwood Ridge High School. He was the Arizona Daily Star’s 2011 Offensive Player of the Year and KVOA News 4’s High School Football Player of the Year.
He stood out by rushing for 2,143 yards and 26 touchdowns last season, which helped his team earn a spot in the Division II state semifinal.
Maxpreps.com ranks Fischer first in his high school’s league, second in his state’s division, ninth in the state overall and 556 nationally in rushing rankings.
In total rankings, he is second in the league, sixth in the state division, 31st in state and 1,293 nationally.
Offers came in from numerous Football Championship Subdivision schools, including South Dakota State. Football Bowl Subdivision school New Mexico State also showed interest.
Besides the FCS schools, Fischer received offers from top two-year colleges across the country.
Fischer chose Pima because he wanted to stay close to home, Nugent said. He also wants to play safety for the Aztecs.
Fischer will not be the only former Ironwood Ridge athlete on Pima’s fall roster. He will be joined by defensive lineman Tyson Otuafi and offensive lineman C.J. Healey.
Thirty-five recruits have committed to Pima, including nine from Tucson. In addition to Fischer, Otuafi and Healey, the other six Tucson players are:
- Defensive back Josh Brown from Canyon Del Oro High School
- Linebacker Nathan Delf, Sabino
- Center Matt Fontes, Cienega
- Offensive lineman Jake Laird, Sabino,
- Offensive lineman Matt Rossi, Sabino,
- Offensive lineman Liam White, Sabino
It will be close, but Patriots will win
By LARRY GAURANO
The National Football League’s most prestigious event is less than two weeks away, and excitement is at a fever pitch.
Few events bring so many people together. Even non-football fans are attending Super Bowl parties for the food and to laugh at commercials that companies spend millions to be aired for less than a minute.
For us football fans, the food and commercials come second to the question that perplexes us each year, who will bring home the Vince Lombardi trophy?
Super Bowl XLVI will be a rematch of 2008’s Super Bowl XLII between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. The Giants won that match up ending Patriot’s attempt at perfection.
The New York Giants (12-7) will be representing the National Football Conference. They were the NO. 4 seed and went up against the San Francisco 49ers in the conference championship. It was a close game, but the Giants were able to edge out a win in overtime.
The Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning is having a pro bowl season and leads the 8th best offense in the league.
That defense is what helped push them over the 49ers, as they only allowed one 3rd down conversion during regulation.
The number one seed New England Patriots (15-3) will be representing the American Football Conference in the Super Bowl. They went up against the Baltimore Ravens for the conference championship, and although the lead kept changing, the Patriots were able to pull through in the end.
Tom Brady leads the Patriots high potent offense, ranked No. 2 in the league.
The Patriots did struggle some against the Raven’s defense. It was the Ravens inability to capitalize off of the Patriots’ mistakes that cost them in the end.
The biggest downfall of the Patriots is their defense, ranked 31st in the league.
Some would say that the defense doesn’t matter. But the Green Bay Packers proved a few weeks ago that in order to make it to the championships, the defense must step up.
When you look at things on paper regarding the Giants and the Patriots, it’s rather close. Vegas list the Giants as two and a half point underdogs.
I think that’s exactly how it will play out in the end.
Patriots win, Tom Brady will be named Super Bowl MVP.
Aztecs fall in final game of season
By MYLO ERICKSON
The Pima Community College Aztecs finished their season with a loss, falling 30-12 to the No. 18 Glendale Community College Gauchos on Nov. 12.
The Gauchos controlled the first half, scoring 24 points. Glendale held the Aztecs to three points on a field goal by freshman kicker Jon Mora from 30 yards out.
The second half favored the Aztecs, as they scored nine points to Glendale’s six.
Pima scored all of its points in the fourth quarter, starting with the Aztecs’ only touchdown of the game. Sophomore quarterback Devin Stewart connected with freshman wide receiver Brandon Cradic in the back of the end zone. The Gauchos blocked Pima’s point-after attempt.
The Aztecs finished their scoring with Mora kicking a second field goal from 54 yards out.
Pima’s return game was effective. Freshman cornerback Josh Kimbell set up the first field goal by returning a kick 69 yards. Kimbell also had a 42-yard kick return in the fourth quarter.
Pima finished its season with a 3-8 overall record and a 2-6 Western States Football League record.
Head coach Patrick Nugent expressed disappointment with the season, as he had higher hopes coming in.
“We played hard in the last game, but it was a very disappointing year,” Nugent said. “We had very high expectations, but due to injuries and other things we fell way short of our goals.”
Pima secured the seventh place spot in the league, marking the first time in years that the Aztecs did not finish in ninth place.
The Aztecs’ leading rusher this season was sophomore running back A.J. Willis, who totaled 523 rushing yards on 117 carries.
Willis also had the most rushing touchdowns on the team, with four.
Kimbell lead the team in receiving yards with 360 on 22 catches. Sophomore wide receiver Cameron Gaddis was second with 230 receiving yards on 25 catches.
Both Kimbell and Gaddis had three receiving touchdowns for the season.
Stewart lead Pima in passing yards with 658 on 142 attempts. He also led the team in passing touchdowns with seven. He threw six interceptions.
Mora led the team in point-after touchdown kicks, making 22 of 23. He also led the team in field goals kicked with nine, including the longest field goal of the year from 54 yards out.
On the defensive side, freshman linebacker Clarence Williams led the Aztecs in tackles with 78.
Freshman safety Darius Kelly led Pima in interceptions with three, and in interceptions returned for touchdowns with two.
Freshman cornerback Andrew Fox led the team in sacks with three. Fox also led the Aztecs in fumble returns for touchdowns with two.
Fox and freshman safety Danell Miles tied for most fumble recoveries. Both recovered five.
The Aztecs season was plagued with injuries, and the team lost other players due to resignation and ineligibility.
Pima’s football team started with 92 men on the roster and ended with 76, but only suited up 46 players for the final game.
Nugent hopes to rebound. He enters the off-season ready to find recruits for next year’s team.
“We need to have a great recruiting season, many spots to fill,” Nugent said.
Pima players make a tackle against the Thunderbirds on Oct. 29 at Kino Stadium.
Aztecs play final game of season Nov. 12
By MYLO ERICKSON
The Pima Community College football team lost its road game Nov. 5 against the No. 9 New Mexico Military Institute Broncos in a game played in Roswell, N.M.
The final score was 42-10.
The New Mexico Broncos dominated the first half, scoring 35 points and holding the Aztecs to zero points.
The Aztecs were in control for the second half, outscoring the Broncos 10 points to seven.
Pima’s defense came through with yet another touchdown carry against the Broncos. Freshman cornerback Andrew Fox returned a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown.
Freshman kicker Jon Mora finished off the Aztec scoring by kicking his longest field goal of the year, from 53 yards out in the fourth quarter.
Pima’s record is now 3-7 overall and 2-5 in the Western States Football League.
The Aztecs will play their final game of the season Nov. 12 at Kino Stadium against Glendale Community College. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
Bring a student ID to get a discount on admission.
On Oct. 29, PCC played its best game of the season against the Mesa Community College Thunderbirds, winning the contest 41-10.
Pima’s defense returned three fumble recoveries and one interception for touchdowns.
“Everything just went good for us,” freshman safety Deanthony Easley said.
Sophomore linebacker Andrew Cesarini returned a fumble for 46 yards for the only score of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Thunderbirds answered with their only touchdown pass of the game. Pima’s defense came back out and freshman line backer Clarence Williams returned a fumble 55 yards.
Freshman defensive lineman Maurice Chavis also recovered a fumble in the second quarter, but was unable to return it for a touchdown.
“They threw the ball to the running back and I came up and I just brought the wood to him,” Chavis said about his favorite hit of the game.
Both teams kicked a field goal before the half, with Pima’s Mora making a 40-yard field goal to finish the half with the Aztecs leading 17-10.
In the third quarter, sophomore outside linebacker Devonttay Jones returned a fumble for a touchdown after sophomore safety Adrian Brahler delivered a big hit to a Thunderbird player.
In the fourth quarter, Mora kicked his second field goal of the game from 18 yards out. The final defensive touchdown for the Aztecs came when freshman safety Danell Miles took an interception 21 yards for the touchdown.
“Defense definitely carried us,” freshman cornerback Sam Jones said.
Easley, who was occasionally brought in as a running back, finished the Aztecs’ scoring with an 18-yard run for his first touchdown of the season.
Head coach Patrick Nugent had a positive outlook after his team won.
“I know this is minor, but we’ve guaranteed that we are not going to finish in last place, for the first time in nine years here at Pima,” Nugent said.
The Aztecs planned to concentrate on offensive tactics in preparation for their final two games.
Nugent plans to continue building on his current success in the years to come.
Aj willis stiff arms a defender.
Football: Aztecs lose to Scottsdale by 52 points
By MYLO ERICKSON
The Pima Community College football team lost its third game in a row Oct. 15, when Scottsdale Community College defeated the Aztecs 76-24.
The road loss was the season’s largest margin of defeat, and the team’s second loss to Scottsdale this year.
Pima’s overall record is 2-6, with a 1-4 Western States Football League record.
Four Aztec players put points on the board during the Scottsdale game.
Sophomore wide receiver Cameron Gaddis caught a 42-yard pass for a touchdown. Gaddis is first on the team in passes caught with 16 and second for receiving yards with 131. He is tied for second on receiving touchdowns, with two.
Sophomore running back A.J. Willis ran 11 yards for a touchdown. Willis leads the team in carries with 66, rushing yards with 369 and rushing touchdowns with three.
Freshman safety Darius Kelly returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown. Kelly leads the team in interception yards with 59 and has the team’s only interception touchdown.
Freshman kicker Jon Mora made a 36-yard field goal. Mora leads the team in field goals made with three and topped the previous longest field goal of 35 yards.
The Aztecs are enjoying a bye week, with their next game scheduled for Oct. 29.
Head coach Pat Nugent feels the time off will be beneficial.
“Without question, we are really banged up and need a week to recover,” he said.
The Oct. 29 home game against Mesa Community College will begin at 1:30 p.m. at Kino Stadium. Mesa finished last in the league last season, but has been picked to finish just above Pima this year.
Bring a student ID for discounted admission.
Few have what it takes to play college football
By JOEL GANTT
With the Tucson sun beating down on a mid-summer day, more than 70 men kneel on one knee surrounding Pima Community College football coach Pat Nugent.
“The reality is we can only keep a few players,” Nugent says. “Most of you won’t be playing football for Pima this fall.”
The PCC football team is not exactly a powerhouse in the Western States Football League. Pima struggles to win games year after year. That does not mean, however, that any average Joe can play for the Aztecs.
It is easy to sit on the couch, drinking a beer with your friends while watching football on television and say, “I could play football, I’m better than these guys.”
Everybody has friends or relatives who swear they can play college football. In reality, few have what it takes to make a college football roster and Pima is no exception.
In order to make the Pima football team, everyone must try out. Registration costs $20.
The tryout is comparable to the National Football League combine you see on television. Players are separated into groups based on a number received at registration.
The groups go to different stations, where their statistics are recorded.
One station is a combination of 180-pound bench press and vertical leap. Another station is a shuttle run that tests lateral movement.
Yet another station has you test stops and starts by running around cones while facing one direction. Then there is everyone’s favorite, the 40-yard dash.
If you are 6 feet tall and weigh 190 pounds, complete nine repetitions on the bench press, have a vertical jump of 31 inches and run a 40-yard dash in 5.3 seconds, you won’t make the team.
After the combine-style tryouts, you will be separated into groups based on the position for which you are trying out. These drills don’t show much except who can follow directions and catch a football.
The tryout is performed without pads and helmets. If the coaches do not know who you are, you will need a huge body or be a beast in the combine workouts to impress them.
There will be players trying out that the coaches already know or have recruited. They will have an advantage over an unknown athlete.
Anyone who has played football understands you cannot judge a real football player without him strapping pads on and getting after it in a full-contact scrimmage or football game.
However, this tryout gives coaches and yourself an idea of what you have to bring to a football team.
Maurice Chavis, the starting nose guard for Pima, is currently on a football scholarship. The 6-foot, 275-pound lineman is a rare example of a player who tried out and did make the team.
“There were 100 of us trying out and four guys made the team,” Chavis said. “People think it’s easy to Pima’s football team, but it’s not.”
Pima is 2-5 this season and has been outscored 175 to 57 in their five conference games. If you think you can play college football, the record says PCC is a school that will be easy to make.
If you are that guy who tells his friends and family that you could play college football, there is only one way to find out.
PCC holds an open tryout every summer. You can see if you have what it takes to make the team, or you can do what most people do: talk about what could have been.
Maurice Chavis is one of the few Pima football players who made the team by trying out in the summer
Turnovers plague Aztecs in loss to Eastern
By MYLO ERICKSON
The Pima Community College football team lost its second game in a row Oct. 8 when it faced No. 15 Eastern Arizona College.
The Aztecs (2-5, 1-3 Western States Football League) were defeated 49-7 by the Gila Monsters.
PCC used two rookie quarterbacks, sophomore Devin Stewart and freshman Quinn Rollerson, because sophomore starter Zander McKean was out with an injury.
Head coach Patrick Nugent expressed disappointment after the loss. He said his team is working hard and hoped for a better showing.
“We’re a really frustrated offense, we just turn the ball over too much,” Nugent said. “It’s a tough league and we put ourselves in situations that aren’t very good.”
The Aztecs started the game competitively, though they fumbled their first possession. They held the Gila Monsters to one touchdown in the first quarter and blocked the extra point attempt.
Things began to slide for the Aztecs in the second quarter, as they continued turning over the ball and were unable to put any points on the board. The Aztecs ended the half down 35-0.
PCC’s offense was limited to the ground game of sophomore running back A.J. Willis.
Willis scored the Aztecs’ only touchdown in the third quarter with a 9-yard run. Pima finished the third quarter down 42-7.
The Aztec defense caused a few turnovers, but Pima was unable to convert on any of the opportunities.
In the fourth quarter, possession bounced back and forth with turnovers and punts. The Gila Monsters scored one more touchdown.
Willis said he would work on eliminating turnovers during upcoming practices.
“We had seven as a team and I contributed two of those,” Willis said. “You can’t do that as a running back. That’s not helping the team out.”
On Oct. 1, PCC lost a road game in Yuma to No. 3 Arizona Western College, 58-14. Pima won against Phoenix College the week before.
Up next for the Aztecs is an Oct. 15 road trip to Scottsdale Community College to play the Fighting Artichokes in WSFL action. Earlier this season, Scottsdale beat Pima 46-13 in a nonconference game in Tucson.
The Pima defense forces a Gila Monster fumble in a 49-7 home loss to No. 15 Eastern Arizona on Oct. 8 at Tucson High School
Backup QB leads football to 37-10 road win
By MYLO ERICKSON
Photo Courtesy PCC
The Pima Community College football team snapped its three-game losing streak Sept. 24 by beating Phoenix College 37-10 on the road without the starting quarterback.
For the Aztecs (2-3, 1-1 Western States Football League), the victory marked their third win in a row against the Bears.
Sophomore Devin Stewart started at quarterback in place of injured sophomore Zander McKean. Stewart completed 10 of 12 pass attempts for a total of 200 yards and had two touchdown passes.
Freshman Josh Kimbell had five catches for 149 yards with two touchdown catches. Sophomore defensive lineman Clinton Gray returned an interception 14 yards for a touchdown.
“We really played well on both sides of the ball,” head coach Patrick Nugent said.
The next opponent for Pima is WSFL power, No. 3 Arizona Western College. The Aztecs travel to Yuma on Oct. 1.
Quentin Burke
Nugent’s plan is to give his quarterbacks as many reps as they can handle and try to keep the team in a winning frame of mind.
“We need to keep momentum going after a big win,” Nugent said. “We face Arizona Western and it will be tough.”
On Sept. 17, PCC lost its third straight game, 35-14, to No. 7 Snow College. It was the first game played at Kino Stadium this year.
Snow scored two touchdowns in the first quarter. Pima answered early in the second quarter with a touchdown.
Pima was able to hold Snow in the second quarter, thanks to some deep kicks and the defense maintaining its composure.
Snow was able to pull away late though, with two third quarter touchdowns and one in the fourth.
ONLINE EXTRA: Football blown out twice after win
By MYLO ERICKSON
Photos and video by JAMES KELLEY
The Pima Community College football team’s home opener came Sept. 10, when the Aztecs hosted Scottsdale Community College in their final non-conference game, but their woes continued.
The Aztecs (1-2) and Fighting Artichokes played at Tucson High School in a non-conference game between Western States Football League rivals, with Scottsdale winning 46-13.
PCC is not having much luck on the football field. Their opponents have been uncontested in their past two games.
Darius Kelly
“We’re just really disappointed the last two weeks,” head coach Pat Nugent said. “We’re just shell shocked right now.”
The game was delayed an hour and 25 minutes because of rain.
The Aztecs suffered a couple of injuries in the game, adding injury to insult. In the first half sophomore offensive lineman Jordan Christianson went down and Nugent was not sure as to his likelihood of returning.
Another injury came in the fourth quarter when freshman defensive lineman Maurice Chavis was assisted off the field.
Pima’s points mostly came from two field goals by freshman kicker Jon Mora. Their lone touchdown came when sophomore quarterback Zander McKean threw a seven-yard pass to freshman tight-end Spencer Grijalva for a touchdown.
Zander McKean
Nugents coaching staff and players had confidence this season in their offense and defense, even though their defense is a bit small.
Special teams were a bright spot on the evening, blocking three Fighing Artichoke extra points and returning a few kick offs to midfield. A pessimistic Nugent thought it might have been because they had so much practice returning kick offs.
The Aztecs are dominating the WSFL’s kickoff return stats, with freshman safety Darius Kelly in second, freshman cornerback Josh Kimball in third and freshman running back Cody Woody in fifth. Kelly has 177 yards on six returns.
The defense did manage a few turnovers in the second half, however the offense was unable to convert them into points.
“To sum it all up, we just need to play like a team,” said sophomore safety Adrian Brahler. “We’ve done that in the past and we’re kind of drifting away from it.”
Brahler also feels that the team just needs to pick each other up and not let themselves get down after mistakes or bad plays.
The upcoming practices for the Aztecs are going to be a re-evaluation for the team as they are going to have to break everything down and build it back up.
“Not a thing has worked for us, so we’re going to have to re-evaluate as coaches where we’re at, break it down a little bit and get better,” Nugent said. “We still got some talent out there.”
The Aztecs traveled to No. 19 Glendale Community College on Sept. 3, losing 35-0 in another non-conference game against a WSFL team.
The blowouts came after Pima beat Sonoran Institute of Technology 59-0 in the season opener in Douglas, Ariz.
The Aztecs have failed to repeat their first endeavor.
The Aztecs next game will be played at Kino Stadium against No. 7 Snow College on Saturday Sept. 17. Snow College is located in Ephraim, Utah.
Kick off is at 7 p.m. and admission is $7 general and $5 for students, so make sure to bring those IDs.
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On Deck
Sept. 17: vs. Snow College,
7 p.m. (at Kino Stadium)
Sept. 24: @ Phoenix
College, 7 p.m.
By the numbers
59
Points scored by the Pima football team in the season opener versus Sonora Institute of Technology
35
Points given up by the football team in its second game against Glendale Community College
46
Points given up by the football team in its home opener against Scottsdale Community College
15
Goals scored by the men’s soccer team against South Mountain Community College, a PCC single game goals record
15th
Women’s soccer season this year
7
Match losing streak for the volleyball team to start the season
13
Match losing streak the volleyball team endured to start the 2010 season
18:34
5K time by freshman Jamie Shrader in cross country’s first meet, the best junior college time in the nation this year
5
National ranking of the women’s cross country team
10
National ranking of the men’s cross country team
7
Game road trips for the men’s soccer team to start the season
Sources:
Pima Community College, National Junior College Athletic Association
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ATHLETIC VOICE: Simple solutions for NCAA scandals
By JAMES KELLEY
It is the best of times and the worst of times for big-time college sports.
While NCAA conferences sign record TV contracts and pack stadiums, scandals at schools like Auburn, Louisiana State, Connecticut, North Carolina, Oregon and Southern California pile up.
Most recently, Yahoo! exposed the biggest scandal of this century, making University of Miami the top candidate for NCAA death penalty sanctions.
Solutions are simple, but they’re based in common sense. That’s something lacking in the NCAA, whose rule against giving athletes cream cheese for their bagels recently became infamous.
The NCAA needs to get some of the money out of big-time college sports.
How often do you hear of scandals in high school, junior college or lower-division sports? Never? Once in a blue moon?
What’s the difference? Is it that the Aztecs don’t want to beat Yavapai teams? No… it is the influx of money and its corrupting influence.
Although college scandals are out of control, they pale in comparison to the pros, which was long ago corrupted by money. Most college scandals involve players getting money or gifts. They rarely match professional athletes charged with rape, assault, DUI, domestic violence or dog fighting.
The NCAA needs to cap spending. Schools like Oregon are buying championships. There is no need for a six-story $41 million football building, especially when Oregon’s facilities are already so plush.
Cap how much universities can spend and the arms race will end.
A cap would remove the need for university officials to constantly hit up boosters for money.
ESPN and Sports Illustrated columnists called Miami boosters like Nevin Shapiro “jock-sniffers.” If schools don’t need the boosters, jock-sniffers will have no opportunity to hang around college athletes.
Cap coaches’ salaries as well. Again, this will limit the influence of boosters and put less pressure on coaches. There is a hell of a lot more pressure on coaches making $4 million a year than ones making $400,000.
When coaches need to win, they are more apt to look the other way. Former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel is essentially accused of sticking his head in his sweater vest to ignore his players violating the rules.
Money may or not be the root of all evil, but it is the root of these evils.
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Sports From the Archives: football wins debut against defending national champion
By JAMES KELLEY
2001 File photo by Deborah Kravitz
Pima Community College has had a mostly nightmarish football history, but 10 years ago the program began with a dream start.
On Aug. 25, 2001, the Pima Storm debuted with a 28-20 win over defending national champion Glendale Community College in front of 4,500 fans at Santa Rita High School.
PCC football was known as the “Storm” from 2001 until 2004, and was based at East Campus.
In 2005, the Storm moved to the West Campus, changed its name to the Aztecs and won only one game until 2010.
The victory 10 years ago, however, started a glorious run.
“It’s a huge win! How do you start your first year against the defending national champion and win?” asked head coach Jeff Scurran, who was soaked in sports drink. “This is historic, this is ESPN stuff.”
Jeff Scurran celebrates Pima's first football win
PCC’s Dwight Jackson kicked a 71-yard punt against Glendale, and Storm running back Ryan Sandoval scored Pima’s first touchdown with a 21-yard run at the end of the first quarter.
Pima’s first big pass play took place when quarterback Blake Kinart connected with receiver Andre Gayles for 62 yards, but Kinart fumbled on the next play deep in GCC territory.
Kinart redeemed himself with a touchdown pass to Santos Olague to tie the game at 14. Olague put the Storm ahead for good with a 31-yard touchdown run.
Anthony Lopez grabbed Pima’s first interception, which led to another Olague touchdown.
Pima ended up going 4-6 in 2001. The Storm won their last game, the Pilgrim’s Pride Bowl, 10-7 over No. 4 Kilgore (Texas) College in 2004.
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Football returnees inspire confidence
By MYLO ERICKSON
Photo by ED ADAMS
Once again that time of year is upon us, a time when players take it to the gridiron and carry the old pigskin up and down the field.
It is time for football and the Pima Community College Aztecs (1-0) are ready to go.
Third-year head coach Pat Nugent will lead a team of 92 players, with 39 returning from last season.
Nugent is ready to see his team climb in the rankings. He and his staff hope to get six to eight wins, after winning just three games last season.
“We’re really excited about our offensive line,” Nugent said. “We’re pretty excited about the type of kids we got this year.”
One returning player is quarterback Zander McKean, who threw for 1,214 yards and 10 touchdowns last year.
Daniel Simmons and Jordan Christianson are returning to their line spots. Pima also received a transfer from North Carolina State, Sam Jones.
The defensive line appears to be the key concern, due to academic ineligibility, injuries and a couple of recruits not showing up.
“Our defensive line, we’re kind of mismatching little guys in that spot,” Nugent said.
The upside is that the line and their secondary will have tremendous speed, with players like freshmen safety Deanthony Easley, safety Danell Miles and cornerback Josh Kimbell.
The Aztecs must replace running back Aubra Taylor, who was on the All-Western States Football League first team. Pima also lost second team All-WSFL defensive end Pepa Fonokalafi, who had 31 tackles, 5.5 for a loss and is redshirting this year.
The players are excited and ready to go. At a recent practice, they praised and ridiculed plays to pump each other up.
When one player made a sliding catch, freshman cornerback Brandon Jackson said, “Way to hit the ground, partner,” then talked about how he got a 3-D view of the catch.
Pima opened the season on Aug. 27 with a 59-0 win against the Institute of Technology of Sonora in Douglas, Ariz.
All three quarterbacks saw playing time. McKean got the start and threw two touchdown passes to sophomore receiver Cameron Gaddis.
Sophomore reserve quarterback Michael Molina connected with tight end Cory Myers for a touchdown.
The defense and special teams also put points on the board. Freshman safety Darius Kelly returned an interception for 60 yards and freshman Cody Woody returned the second half kick-off 70 yards for a touchdown.
Nugent said the Aztecs didn’t know anything in advance about the team, but was ready to have some fun.
“You always wish as a head coach that you had another week or two to prepare, but it’s time to play a game,” he said. “It’s time to see what our kids look like under the lights and get going.”
Three of Pima’s five home games will be played at Kino Stadium, formerly Tucson Electric Park. Due to schedule conflicts with the stadium, the Sept. 10 and Oct. 8 games will be played at Tucson High School.
Pima will need some confidence going into the season. The Aztecs face a brutal schedule in arguably the best conference in the country, the WSFL.
After a Sept. 3 game at Glendale Community College, Pima opens home play Sept. 10 against Scottsdale Community College.
PCC hosts No. 7 Snow (Utah) College on Sept. 17 in their first WSFL game. On Sept. 24, Pima travels to a revenge-minded Phoenix College, which lost twice to the Aztecs last year.
Play against ranked teams continues Oct. 1, when the Aztecs travel to Yuma to face No. 5 Arizona Western College. Pima hosts No. 18 Eastern Arizona College on Oct. 8.
An NJCAA poll picked PCC to finish last in the nine-team WSFL.
Last year Pima went 3-8, their best record since 2004.
Pima assistant coach on UA committee
Pima assistant coach Glenn Howell is serving on the University of Arizona presidential search committee.
The strength and conditioning coach is one of 23 the Arizona Board of Regents chose to look for a new UA president.
The committee hopes to recommend a new president by the next year.
Damion Bracy runs with the ball in 2010. (Aztec Press photo by Ed Adams)
On Deck
Sept. 3: @ Glendale CC,
7 p.m.
Sept. 10: Scottsdale CC, 7 p.m. (at Tucson High School)
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ONLINE EXTRA: 2011 fantasy football preview
By JOEL GANTT
The fall semester is here, and with that comes a new season of football. We were all worried this off-season, due to the lockout, but we can sleep easy now as game one of the National Football League season kicks off Sept. 8.
What comes with NFL football? Fantasy football!
Many leagues have already formed and many drafts have already happened. However, there is still plenty of time for you and your friends or family to get online and build your fantasy team for the 2011 season.
The Aztec Press has compiled a condensed fantasy football preview that will help you draft a successful team. My list includes the top 15 running backs, top 15 wide receivers, top 10 quarterbacks and top 10 tight ends, totaling 50 players.
If you are in a 10-man league, the list will take you through five rounds. For a 12-man league, it will get you into the fourth round. Of course, not everyone will agree with my player selections and rankings, so the lists could get you through seven or eight rounds.
If you can get eight players from the lists, you will have a great foundation for your fantasy team. That being said, you don’t ever want to draft more than one tight end. Filling your team with four of my tight ends will not lead to fantasy success.
If you can draft a top quarterback, a top tight end, two of my listed running backs and two of my listed wide receivers, you will have a solid fantasy team. With a little luck and good health, you will compete for a championship.
I also added some sleepers that will help your team in later rounds.
Running backs
Player/ 2010 stats: rushing yards/ touchdowns/ receiving yards
1) Adrian Peterson, Vikings: 1,298/13/341: Peterson is the hardest runner in the game with 4.3-speed. If the Vikings want to win, A.P. needs to touch the ball 30 times a game. That bodes well for his owners.
2) Chris Johnson, Titans: 1,364/12/245: He didn’t run for 2,000 yards last year like he said he would but was a top back in a “down year.” I expect big things from CJ2K. His durability and big-play potential always makes him a safe pick.
3) Arian Foster, Texans: 1,616/18/604: He scored the most fantasy points in all of football last year. He led the league in rushing attempts, yards and rushing touchdowns. I don’t see that happening again but it is hard to argue those stats.
4) Jamaal Charles, Chiefs: 1,467/8/468: The only problem with Charles is Thomas Jones. Jones may steal some goal-line touchdowns from Charles, who led all running backs with a 6.4-yard rushing average last year. With Jones getting older and Charles emerging as a great receiver with big-play ability, I like this first-round pick more than most.
5) Michael Turner, Falcons; 1,371/12/85: Turner plays in a great offense and gets all of the goal-line looks. His touchdowns should go up and he will get lots of carries every game.
6) Ray Rice, Ravens: 1,220/6/556: With Willis McGahee not taking away touchdowns from Rice, he should be able to almost double his total from last year. He can catch and he can score from all over the field.
7) Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers: 1,273/13/167: This workhorse gets a lot of touches, especially at the goal line. He is a very reliable fantasy player and that is what you want in a first-round pick.
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars: 1,324/7/317: A lot of people think Jones-Drew should be ranked in the top five, but there are injury concerns and Rashad Jennings is looking better and better as his backup. I think MJD may have trouble racking up the same number of yards as last year. We know the Jaguars are going to run the ball, so if you draft Jones-Drew you must draft Jennings in later rounds.
9) Frank Gore, 49ers: 853/5/452: Gore put up these numbers in just 11 games last season. With five more games, his numbers stack up with the best backs in the league, especially his receiving yards. At age 28, he still has a few good seasons in him. With no one stealing his goal-line attempts, Gore should score double-digit touchdowns this season.
10) Darren McFadden, Raiders: 1,157/10/507: McFadden finally had the breakout season the Raiders were hoping for last year. He catches the ball, and is a big back who is hard to tackle. His speed makes him a threat to score from anywhere on the field. If he stays healthy, I expect another great season from run DMC.
11) Steven Jackson, Rams: 1,241/6/383: Did the biggest workhorse in the game get a real quarterback? Sam Bradford appears to be the real deal, which means teams can’t stack eight defenders in the box to stop the run. Jackson has six consecutive seasons with more than 1,000 yards rushing, and seems to play through all injuries. As the Rams get better, so does Jackson’s fantasy stock.
12) LeSean McCoy, Eagles: 1,080/9/592: McCoy is a newer and younger version of former Eagles rusher Brian Westbrook, who was a top fantasy player for years. If McCoy can get enough touches, he can be great. However, with all the weapons the Eagles have and with recently signed free agent Ronnie Brown possibly stealing carries at the goal line, I could not put him in the top 10.
13) Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants: 1,235/8/314: Bradshaw had his best season last year. With big Brandon Jacobs getting older, I have to believe Bradshaw will get the touches he did last year. Bradshaw might be a steal in round three or four. I would not take him earlier.
14) Matt Forte, Bears: 1,069/9/547: I almost put Forte ahead of Bradshaw but with Marion Barber on the team and with Mike Martz loving to throw the ball, I had to rank him at 14. He could be one of the more consistent backs this season if he gets the ball.
15) LeGarrette Blount: 1,007/6/14: It was tough to decide who would get the final spot but Blount led all rookies in rushing yards last year and he only started seven of 16 games. The offense looks good in Tampa Bay and Blount is going to get lots of rushing attempts. He could have a huge season.
Running backs I like who did not make the top 15:
• Peyton Hillis, Browns
• Knowshon Moreno, Broncos
• Ryan Mathews, Chargers
• Ryan Grant, Packers
• DeAngelo Williams, Panthers
• Shonn Greene, Jets
• Felix Jones, Cowboys
Wide receivers
Team: 2010 stats: receptions/ receiving yards/ touchdowns
1) Andre Johnson, Texans: 86/1,216/10: This man is a beast. He catches anything he touches, is hard to tackle and is fast enough to go deep. He had a down year by his standards last season and still put up top receiver numbers. He is my No. 1.
2) Roddy White, Falcons: 115/1,389/10: White plays in a solid offense with a solid quarterback who often takes shots down field. I don’t see White getting the same number of catches and yards as he did last year but something close seems likely.
3) Calvin Johnson, Lions: 77/1,120/12: If Matthew Stafford can stay healthy, Johnson could be the best receiver in the game. He is that talented. Detroit has to throw, as they always play from behind. Megatron is their best weapon.
4) Greg Jennings, Packers: 76/1,265/12: I have Aaron Rodgers as my No. 1 quarterback, and Jennings is his No. 1 receiver. I think Jennings will score more touchdowns this year than last season.
5) Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals: 90/1,137/6: Fitz put up last year’s numbers without a consistent quarterback. Imagine what he will do if Kevin Kolb turns out to be the real deal. All numbers should rise this year.
6) Hakeem Nicks, Giants: 79/1,052/11: It is always hard to say who will have the best receiving year for the New York Giants but this is their biggest and most talented receiver. He put up last year’s numbers in 13 games.
7) DeSean Jackson, Eagles: 47/1,056/6: No one man can cover this burner. The lack of catches is a concern but with Mike Vick and Jackson getting more and more comfortable, I have no hesitations when drafting this receiver.
Vincent Jackson, Chargers: 14/248/3: Don’t let last year’s numbers fool you. In each of the two previous years, he had more than 1,000 yards and at least seven touchdowns. He only played five games last year. With Rivers throwing, Jackson should have a big year.
9) Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs: 72/1,162/15: D-Bowe led all receivers in touchdowns last year. He’s pretty much the only receiver Matt Cassel has, so he is a good fantasy option.
10) Mike Wallace, Steelers: 60/1,257/10: Wallace used to only be a deep threat. Now he touches the ball a lot more, and he can still run. DeSean Jackson and Wallace are the fastest two receivers in the top 10.
11) Reggie Wayne, Colts: 111/1,355/6: The only reason Wayne is not No. 6 is because we don’t know if Peyton Manning will be 100 percent healthy. If Manning plays, Wayne is as consistent as it gets at WR.
12) Mike Williams, Buccaneers: 65/964/11: Pretty nice numbers for a rookie. Josh Freeman looks real good, and these two should grow together.
13) Marques Colston, Saints: 84/1,023/7: Colston provides a big reliable target for Drew Brees. The Saints air it out; someone has to catch the touchdowns.
14) Brandon Marshall, Dolphins: 86/1,014/3: Only three touchdowns? That has to get better. The Dolphins don’t have the best QB situation but Marshall is one of the most athletic receivers in the game.
15) Miles Austin, Cowboys: 69/1,041/7: When Tony Romo plays, Austin is a top receiver. He is capable of a huge year.
Wide receivers I like who did not make the top 15:
• Anquan Boldin, Ravens
• Jeremy Maclin, Eagles
• Dez Bryant, Cowboys
• Plaxico Burress, Jets
• Santonio, Holmes, Jets
• Percy Harvin, Vikings
• Brandon Lloyd, Broncos
• Wes Welker, Patriots
• Stevie Johnson, Bills
• Chad Ochocinco, Patriots
• Austin Collie, Colts
• Arrelious Benn, Buccaneers
• A.J. Green, Bengals
• Julio Jones, Falcons
Quarterbacks
Team: 2010 stats: passing yards/ total touchdowns/ interceptions
1) Aaron Rodgers, Packers: 3,922/32/11: Rodgers is the best QB in the game, when it comes to fantasy points and when it comes to winning football games. He also had 356 yards rushing, for extra incentive to rank him No. 1.
2) Michael Vick, Eagles: 3,018/30/6: A lot of people think Vick is the best fantasy player available this season. He rushed for nine of his 30 touchdowns on 676 yards. That, combined with the fact that he accomplished last year’s stat line in only 12 games, makes him a hard man to pass up. I don’t see him having the success he had last year but if he is going well he can win you fantasy weeks.
3) Tom Brady, Patriots: 3,900/37/4: Brady is a top tier QB every year he is healthy. I don’t see this year being any different. He threw the fewest number of interceptions and the most touchdowns. That is a recipe for fantasy success.
4) Drew Brees, Saints: 4,620/33/22: The only problem Brees had last year was his high number of interceptions. I think the interceptions will go down and that means the touchdowns go up. Two years ago, he was a No. 1 fantasy QB.
5) Philip Rivers, Chargers: 4,710/30/13: Rivers led the league in passing yards last season while playing most of the year without No. 1 target Vincent Jackson. (Antonio Gates happily took all of Jackson’s catches.) With Jackson, Gates and Malcolm Floyd, the Chargers could have a dynamic aerial assault in 2011.
6) Peyton Manning, Colts: 4,700/33/17: Although Manning is hurt and may not start a game or two at the beginning of the year, he still plans on playing soon. When he is playing, he is a top fantasy quarterback. I would not draft him in the top five rounds but after that he may be a steal.
7) Matt Schaub, Texans: 4,370/24/12: Schaub has great weapons and a big arm. He has thrown for more than 4,000 yards two years in a row. If he doesn’t give all of his touchdowns to Arian Foster this year, he can be a great fantasy player.
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: 3,200/19/5: Big Ben had a great 2010 despite playing only 12 games. Roethlisberger is a QB you can get in middle rounds of your draft who still plays like a top fantasy QB.
9) Tony Romo, Cowboys: 1,605/11/7: Romo is a great fantasy QB when healthy. He only played six games last year due to injury and the Cowboys fell of the playoff grid as a result. I don’t think Romo will ever win a football championship but I do like him this year as a fantasy QB.
10) Matt Ryan, Falcons: 3,705/28/9: Ryan had his best year as a pro QB last season. He has great weapons with Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez and rookie Julio Jones. The team should score lots of points this season; that may propel Ryan to the top tier of quarterbacks.
Quarterbacks I like who did not make the top 10:
• Josh Freeman, Buccaneers
• Matthew Stafford, Lions
• Sam Bradford, Rams
• Joe Flacco, Ravens
Tight ends
Team: 2010 stats: receptions/ receiving yards/ touchdowns
1) Antonio Gates, Chargers: 50/782/10: Gates was the best TE last year and he only played 10 games. When healthy, he is the best at the position.
2) Jermichael Finley, Packers: 21/301/1: This is my boldest prediction so far. Finley is an unproven player with great upside. I think this is his breakout year.
3) Jason Witten, Cowboys: 94/1,002/9: Witten had a great year without Romo last year and he should have an even better year with Romo.
4) Vernon Davis, 49ers: 56/914/7: Davis finally played like the 49ers thought he would when they drafted him. He can easily repeat last year’s performance.
5) Dallas Clark, Colts: 37/347/3: If Peyton Manning and Clark are healthy, Clark is my No. 2 TE. With Manning fighting an injury and Clark sitting out all but three games last year, he is No. 5.
6) Kellen Winslow, Buccaneers: 66/730/5: Winslow has shown glimpses of greatness but just hasn’t broke out with Tampa Bay yet. He is athletic and has a good QB. That can equate to fantasy points.
7) Tony Gonzalez, Falcons: 70/656/6: This hall-of-fame TE catches anything close to him. With Tony G, it is just a matter of getting the targets as there are a lot of other weapons in Atlanta.
Mercedes Lewis, Jaguars: 58/700/10: Lewis quietly put up nice numbers last year. If he does that again, he is a great fantasy TE.
9) Owen Daniels, Texans: 38/471/2: Injuries hurt Daniels last year but he plays on a team that moves the ball well. He is a solid late-round pick.
10) Chris Cooley, Redskins: 77/849/3: Cooley is similar to Dallas Clark but he has no QB. When healthy, he always seems to get catches and yards.
Tight Ends I like who did not make the top 10:
• Rob Gronkowski, Patriots
• Aaron Hernandez, Patriots
• Brent Celek, Eagles
• Dustin Keller, Jets
• Jimmy Graham, Saints
• Zach Miller, Seahawks
Place kickers and defenses
Strategy for defense and kickers is very simple: draft these two roster spots last and only draft one of each.
Defense can be big, but a different defense goes off every week. The Eagles, Steelers, Ravens and Jets are all nice teams but there is no reason to waste a valuable draft spot on defense. If you want a specific defense, get your team but don’t give up a receiver you would rather have.
I like any kicker on a high-scoring team, and usually take a kicker last. A kicker or a defense will not win you a championship but they might win you a week, so you do need one of each.
Good luck to all of the Pima Community College fantasy commissioners out there. Draft wisely and enjoy the football season.
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