Citizen Staff Report
MESA MOUNTAIN VIEW 43 TUCSON HIGH 6
For one half at least, Tucson High kept it respectable against No. 1-seeded Mesa Mountain View.
The Badgers, appearing in their first playoff game in 20 years, trailed 22-6 at halftime after two field goals by Martin Encinas.
Host Mesa Mountain View pulled away in the third quarter, aided by Tucson High turnovers, to win the 5A-II state playoff game 43-6.
Encinas booted field goals of 38 and 37 yards in the second quarter, the latter set up by a 40-yard pass from Peter Borquez to Adrien Montel.
The Badgers couldn’t sustain much offense after that, finishing with 214 yards total and four turnovers.
Tucson High finished the season 5-6.
Mountain View (11-0) was led by receiver Nate Birtcher, who had TD catches of 5 and 36 yards. Jacom Brimhall added TD runs of 10 and 5 yards for the Toros.
Tucson High gained 70 yards on the ground, but got 144 yards through the air behind Borquez, who was 9 of 23 with two interceptions.
Mountain View advances to play No. 8 Tempe Corona del Sol next week.
Citizen Staff Report