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Destry Yocum smothered the would be Pima runner.
Paul Wormwood | Copper Basin News
Stephen Lucero battling the Pima defensive linemen.
Paul Wormwood | Copper Basin News
Jacob Pace chasing down the running back from behind.
Paul Wormwood | Copper Basin News
Raul Torres takes down the Pima running back.
Paul Wormwood | Copper Basin News
Copper Basin News
The Bearcats’ football season came to end after last Saturday’s quarterfinal loss to third-ranked Pima. The Roughriders defeated the sixth-ranked ‘Cats, 50 – 6.
This was the second straight year the Bearcats suffered a loss in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs.
The Roughriders scored 14 points in each quarter except the second where they scored eight. The Bearcats’ lone score came in the second quarter.
Already leading 22 – 8 at halftime, Pima outscored Ray 28 – 0 in the second half.
Despite the loss, the Bearcats can take pride in reaching the quarterfinals and being only one of eight teams still playing last week.
The ‘Cats finished with a record of 6 – 4, including 3 – 1 in sectional play, which was good enough second-place.
A number of seniors played their last football game for the Bearcats and leave the program with a lasting legacy after back-to-back playoff appearances.
Destry Yocum, Robbin Newman, Triston Gantt, Douglas McPeak, Seth Harmon, Jose Torres, Jacob Pace, and Steven Lucero make up a senior group of players who won 22 games over the last four years.
Congratulations to all the Bearcats on a great season and good luck to the seniors who are moving on to the next chapter in their lives.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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