Pima senior Jared Judd sat out the Roughriders’ season opener Aug. 29 because of a bruised knee. Judd played Sept. 5 against Veritas Prep, but now it appears his season may be over.

Thursday night at home against the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind (which also uses players from St. Augustine in Tucson), Judd injured his knee in the first quarter on just his third carry of the game.

“I ran through the line; got through the first wave, and I (planted) off my left foot to cut it to the outside,” Judd said.

Pima senior running back Jared Judd fights off a tackler during Thursday night's game against the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind on Thursday. Judd suffered a serious knee injury in the first quarter, and his status for the rest of the season is in doubt. Photo by Brian Wright

“I was climbing on that foot and a helmet came across and hit me. I felt two pops, and I just dropped to the ground.”

Bart Judd, Jared’s father and a physical therapist, examined him on the field and gave his son some troubling news.

“My dad came out and checked it and told me I was done, so I got off the field and did the best I could to compose myself,” Judd said.

The senior couldn’t contain his emotions after he limped off the field and sat on the bench.

“It’s heartbreaking to have this your senior year,” Judd said.

Pima (3-0) built a 32-0 lead in the first quarter and took out all of its starters before the end of the period. The game was 46-0 at halftime and the ‘Riders went on to win 52-12. The only thing on most peoples’ minds, however, was Judd’s injury.

“With Jared Judd looking like he tore his ACL, that’s just a devastating blow to us and to him in his senior year,” Pima head coach John Bryant said.

“Obviously, this year we have a great opportunity to win the state championship. We’ve got some great players, but Jared Judd was a big, integral part of that. He was one of our best players.”

Bryant and Judd said Pima should still have a good chance to win a championship.

“I think the team will still do it, so hopefully I can still be a part of the state championship team,” Judd said.

Bart said the injury is likely an ACL or MCL tear. Judd will have an MRI soon, possibly this week, to determine the extent of the injury.

Bryant was pleased with the performance of his younger players against the Sentinels on Thursday. The Roughriders finished with 300 yards rushing, including a 48-yard score by Evan Crockett and a 10-yard touchdown run by Judd, both in the first quarter.