Photos: Marana comes back in the fourth quarter to edge Yuma Catholic 34-27, state 5A playoffs
The Tigers led for most of the game, losing the lead in the fourth quarter before a furious last minute drive restored the advantage in a 34-27 win over the Shamrocks in the 5A state playoffs, Marana, AZ., November 14, 2025.
Marana's Ruben Navarro (15) breaks up the pass to Yuma Catholic's Brody Amon (88) in the end zone, but picks up the interference penalty in the last minute of second quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Yuma Catholic's Ian Leonard (2) takes a desperate grab but can’t keep Marana's Jaxsun Sharp (12) from breaking his catch into the end zone, giving the Tigers back the lead, 34-27, in the dying minutes of the fourth quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Yuma Catholic's Ian Leonard (2) can’t quite dislodge the ball from the hands of Marana's Jaxsun Sharp (12) after he hauled in a long bomb, broke a couple of tackles and cruised in for a touchdown during the second quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Marana's Jeffrey Smith III (3) makes the stab but can’t get ahold of Yuma Catholic's Jose Polk (6) snaking his way upfield during the third quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Marana's Sean Roebuck (5) leaves Yuma Catholic's Koven Heida (35) hanging, pulling off the fake punt and picking ups first down during the third quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Marana's Colten Meyer (16) scrambles out of the pocket, trying to slip past Yuma Catholic's Shaun Carter (19) and avoid a sack during the third quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Marana's Hayden Utley (55) gets held going after Yuma Catholic's Nash Ott (11) trying to scramble out of the pocket during the fourth quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Yuma Catholic's Diego Dumo (14) can’t drag down Marana's Jesse Howell (0) by his sock as he dances for a few more yards after a catch during the fourth quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Marana's Hayden Utley (55) gets only towel, chasing after Yuma Catholic's Nash Ott (11) scrambling up the field during the fourth quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Marana's Sean Roebuck (5) gestures upfield after his first down catch on a bomb sprung the Tigers out of a 3rd and long against Yuma Catholic during the fourth quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Marana's Colten Meyer (16) stands in as the pocket collapses and delivers a touchdown throw against Yuma Catholic during the fourth quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Marana's Ruben Navarro (15) screens Yuma Catholic's Ian Leonard (2) from the throw, but picks up the interference penalty during the fourth quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Marana's Sean Roebuck (5) can’t drag down Yuma Catholic's Jose Polk (6) as he crosses the line to give the Shamrocks their first lead of the night during the fourth quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Yuma Catholic's place kicker Coltin Duke (60) unsuccessfully tries a desperation heave from the arms of Marana's Donnell Bridges (4) after a bad snap on a field goal attempt during the third quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Marana's Jeffrey Smith III (3) brings down Yuma Catholic's Jose Polk (6) for a loss as the Tigers make a series of goal line stops late in the second quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Marana's Jesse Howell (0) tiptoes along the side lines past Yuma Catholic's David Haines (24) for a first down during the fourth quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Marana's Ruben Navarro (15) knocks the pass out of the hands of Yuma Catholic's Brody Amon (88) during the first quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Marana's Carter Meyer (20) holds on as help arrives to bring down Yuma Catholic's Jose Polk (6) during the second quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Marana's Jeffrey Smith III (3) attempt to stiff arm his way around Yuma Catholic's Ryot Brumley-Black (22) during the third quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Marana's Wyatt Berry (10) stacks up Yuma Catholic's Jose Polk (6) near the line during the third quarter of their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Marana’s Jaxsun Sharp (12) pulls Yuma Catholic’s Maximiliano Orozco (8) along by his shirt tail, trying to turn upfield after a catch during the third quarter of their 5A state playoff game, Nov. 14, 2025.
Yuma Catholic's Noah Flores (10) knocks Marana's Colten Meyer (16) out of his helmet during a sack late in their 5A state playoff game, November 14, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
The students in the crowd celebrate the Tigers taking the field for the start of Marana’s 5A state playoff game against Yuma Catholic, Nov. 14, 2025.
Marana’s head coach Phillip Steward tries to get a measurement after a spot left the Tigers short on fourth down in the second quarter against Yuma Catholic during the 5A state playoff game, Nov. 14, 2025.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
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