The Pima Community College football team scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to break open a lead as the Aztecs defeated Phoenix College on Saturday 36-19 to give Coach Jim Monaco a win in his head coaching debut.
Kian Homme got the start at quarterback and threw two touchdown passes to Donovan Moore (Buena HS) in the second half. The first connected on a 73-yard reception to make it 15-6. Phoenix College cut into the lead at 15-13 late in the third quarter but 30 seconds into the fourth, they connected again for 28-yards. This gives the Aztecs more touchdown passes than all of last season.
The difference maker came with 12:10 left in the game when Markell Simmons (Mountain Pointe HS) intercepted a tip-pass and returned it 35-yards for the score. That put Pima up 29-13. Antony Thompson (Willow Canyon HS) helped secured the win when he scored on a 1-yard run with 5:59 left in the game for his second rushing touchdown of the game.
The Aztecs took a 9-6 lead at halftime. After a scoreless first quarter, the Aztecs struck first on their opening possession of the second quarter. Thompson had a 26-yard run and Kian Homme connected with Donovan Moore (Tucson Magnet) for 15 yards to set up Deontay Townsend’s (Mountain Pointe HS) 38-yard touchdown run with 13:19 left in the half. Townsend helped set up Pima’s next score after he ran for 22 yards to put the offense at the 9-yardline. Tanner Fanning hit a 29-yard field goal to put the Aztecs up 9-0. Phoenix College capitalized on an interception to cut Pima’s lead to 9-6. Kendall Huey did some work on defense in the first half with three sacks and six tackles total.
The Aztecs will host their home opener next Saturday against Eastern Arizona College at 7:00 p.m. at the Kino North Grandstand.