Led by junior Jordan Thomas’ five touchdowns, Ironwood Ridge High School ran into the playoffs in dominant fashion.
No. 15-ranked Ironwood Ridge (6-4) beat No. 14 Marana 69-27 on the road in what was possibly an elimination game before the Class 5A playoffs start next week.
“We did what we needed to do, we took care of business,†said I-Ridge coach James Hardy. “We played four-quarter football: offense, defense and special teams, they did what we asked them to do and that’s the result we got today.â€
After falling to 2-4 with a 31-21 loss at Cienega, Ironwood Ridge won four straight games, including the rout of northwest rival Marana (7-3).
“We did great, we came out we knew what was at stake,†Thomas said. “We came and we played how we should be playing all year, so we made a big statement and we just played like we’ve been playing these past couple weeks.â€
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Thomas rushed for 226 yards on 23 carries, scoring four times on the ground.
“Jordan do what Jordan does,†Hardy said. “Jordan is by far is one of the best running backs, especially in Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and he proved that running the ball, catching the ball, returning the ball.
Ironwood Ridge’s Ian Van der Merwe sacks Marana quarterback Elijah Joplin in the fourth quarter.
“I’m very proud of him, great kid, great attitude, hard worker, everything that he does he’s earned that so we’re proud of him.â€
Thomas also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
“It’s probably one of the best nights I’ve had but I couldn’t have done it without my other teammates,†Thomas said. “The line did a good job of blocking, receivers did a good job at blocking, getting me out there in the open field.â€
Ironwood Ridge quarterback Tyler Haynie passed for 146 yards and three touchdowns, going 7 for 10.
For Marana, junior quarterback Elijah Joplin passed for 228 yards, going 20 for 31 with an interception and two touchdowns. He scored the Tigers’ other two touchdowns, running for 92 yards on 10 carries. Sophomore Jaelen Collins caught four balls for 105 yards and one score.
The brackets for the Class 4A, 5A, 6A and open tournaments will be announced on Saturday at 8 a.m. and will be streamed on .
Hardy said the win streak is due to refocusing.
“We understood the task at hand going through things and so it’s just understanding what we could do as a team and if we play as a team on all three facets, we’ll be successful,†Hardy said.
Photos: Ironwood Ridge wins in a shootout at Marana, 69-27, high school football
Marana vs Ironwood Ridge
Jordan Thomas ran for 1,006 yards and 14 touchdowns last season for Ironwood Ridge. He’s since transferred to Canyon del Oro.
Marana vs Ironwood Ridge
Ironwood Ridge's Ian Van der Merwe (56) doesn't let a hold keep him from sacking Marana's Elijah Joplin (6) in the fourth quarter of their game at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., November 12, 2021.
Marana vs Ironwood Ridge
Ironwood Ridge's Trent Vanoni (4) gets an arm in, enough to break up the reception in front of Marana's Jaelen Collins (12) in the third quarter of their game at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., November 12, 2021.
Ironwood Ridge vs Marana
Marana's Dezmen Roebuck (1) tries to fight his way out of the hands of Ironwood Ridge's Ethan Morrison (32) in the second quarter of their game at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., November 12, 2021.
Ironwood Ridge vs Marana
Jordan Thomas gets into the Marana backfield on a second-quarter carry last season.
Ironwood Ridge vs Marana
Ironwood Ridge's Landon Billings (28) stiff arms Marana's Dezmen Roebuck (1) on a sweep at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., November 12, 2021.
Ironwood Ridge vs Marana
Ironwood Ridge's Nashon Jantz (16) breaks through the line to drag down Marana's Elijah Joplin (6) for a sack against in the third quarter of their game at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., November 12, 2021.
Ironwood Ridge vs Marana
Marana's Jaelen Collins (12) beats Ironwood Ridge's Trent Vanoni (4) but can't catch up to the Hail Mary throw late in the fourth quarter Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., November 12, 2021.
Ironwood Ridge vs Marana
Ironwood Ridge's Hudson Thompson (18) tries to find some room to run after a catch as the Marana defense closes in at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., November 12, 2021.
Ironwood Ridge vs Marana
"It was difficult, but you do what you gotta do to move forward and better your career and what you're trying to do," said Jordan Thomas, left, of leaving I-Ridge for CDO.
