At times it was pretty. At other times it was downright ugly. But in the playoffs teams just need the ‘W,’ and Tempe Marcos de Niza managed to do just that.

The Padres overcame five turnovers and 114 yards in penalties with big plays rushing, passing and on defense Friday night to rack up a 34-24 victory over visiting Tucson Sunnyside in a 5A Division II quarterfinal game.

Justin Rodriguez, back from a one-game absence, caught three short touchdown passes from quarterback Zach Schira to spark the Marcos de Niza offense. The Padres also managed to rush for 264 yards, one of their best efforts of the season against a tough foe like Sunnyside. Three players scorched Sunnyside for long runs — Anthony Shivers (57 yards in the second quarter), Ramon Abreu (54 yards in the third quarter) and Rodriguez (48 yards in the fourth period).

Marcos de Niza (11-1), the No. 4 seed, advances to the semifinals to face three-time defending 5A-II champ and top-seed Peoria Centennial on Dec. 4 at a neutral site to be determined. Sunnyside finished the year 10-2.

“At the end we lost our composure,” Marcos de Niza coach Roy Lopez said. “We have to finish better than that. Now we get a chance at the monsters (Centennial).”

Marcos was able to overcome the turnovers mostly because four of the five miscues came in the fourth period when the Padres had built a 34-10 lead. Marcos spotted Sunnyside a 3-0 lead with 7:36 left in the first period and answered with the first of five TD drives that featured either a long gainer or turnover to set up the score.

Rodriguez, who sat out last week’s first-round win over Phoenix Central for disciplinary reasons, hauled in a 71-yard reception that was more run than initial reception yardage. Teammate Abreu’s 2-yard run finished the drive and put Marcos ahead to stay, 7-3, with 1:11 left in the first period.

Rodriguez was denied the end zone on his 71-yard reception, but not the next three times. He caught TD passes of 7, 2 and 5 yards, working over Sunnyside cornerbacks as he maneuvered to the right corner of the end zone with perfect throws each time from Schira. Rodriguez finished with five catches for 89 yards and added 55 yards rushing four carries.

“With Justin out there we have a totally different dimension,” Lopez said.

Perhaps the biggest play of the game came with 29 seconds left in the first half. Marcos led 13-10 and had just punted to Sunnyside, which took possession at its own 12. The Blue Devils opted not to run out the clock and threw a short sideline pattern that Marcos de Niza cornerback Ivan Valenzuela intercepted and returned to the Sunnyside 2. The second of Rodriguez’s three TD receptions was the result (a 20-10 lead at halftime).

“Our defense did step up when we needed it,” said Abreu, who had two of the Padres’ three interceptions. “We turned it over too much, and one was my fault. I owe coach some up-downs next week.”

Marcos’ four turnovers in the final period led to two Sunnyside touchdowns. But the Padres’ defense stamped out the other two threats on downs and with one of Abreu’s interceptions.

LIVE IN-GAME UPDATES

Sunnyside settles for a 30-yard FG by Hector Solis to give the Blue Devils a 3-0 lead over Marcos de Niza with 7:36 left in the first quarter.

After a 71-yard pass play sets Marcos up with first-and-goal, Roman Abreu scores on a 2-yard run to put the Padres up 7-3 with 1:11 left in the opening quarter.

A 57-yard run for by Anthony Shivers sets up a 7-yard touchdown pass from Shira to Justin Rodriguez to extend Marcos de Niza's lead to 13-3 with 8:48 left in the half.

Sunnyside answers immediately with a 63-yard TD pass from Perry Schzier to Chris Howard on the first play of the ensuing drive. With 8:35 left in the second quarter, it's 13-10 Marcos de Niza.

After an interception in Sunnyside territory with 29 seconds left in the half, Shira throws a 2-yard TD pass to Rodriguez with 7 seconds left to put Marcos ahead 20-10 going into halftime.

Zach Schira and Justin Rodriguez hook up for their touchdown pass of the night, this one a 5-yarder that was set up by a Ramon Abreu 54-yard run. It's now Marcos 27, Sunnyside 10 with 9:32 left in the third quarter.

After exchanging touchdowns early in the fourth, Sunnyside gets back to within 10 on a 70-yard touchdown pass to Alfred Leon. It's now Marcos 34, Sunnyside 24 with 7:34 remaining in the game.

PREVIEW

No. 5 Sunnyside vs. No. 4 Marcos de Niza

Time: 7 p.m.

Address: 6000 S. Lakeshore Drive, Tempe

Key matchup: Marcos will have to contend with a balanced attack from the smallish Blue Devils. Sunnyside piled up 429 yards of offense last week in defeating Horizon, rushing for 189 yards and passing for 240 yards.

Stat leaders: Marcos de Niza — Rushing: Ramon Abreu 83 carries, 735 yards, 14 TDs; Anthony Shivers 54-524, 5 TDs. Passing: Zach Schira 98 of 182 1,811 yards, 6 INT, 20 TDs. Receiving: Justin Rodriguez 38 catches, 688 yards, 10 TDs; Ramon Abreu 26-416, 2 TDs; Tevin Newell 17-389, 6 TDs. Sunnyside — N/A.

Key stat: Teams have one common opponent -- Marana Mountain View. Sunnyside prevailed in its game, 43-20; Marcos de Niza prevailed, 42-7.

Outlook: Marcos de Niza didn’t get off to a good start last week against Central. It’s paramount that doesn’t happen this week vs. the Blue Devils, who are adept at not letting opponents off the hook. Sunnyside brings an experienced offensive line (four of five starters are back from 2008) and they’ve been able to move the ball on the ground and through the air. Wide receiver Chris Howard has 14 touchdown receptions (of 17 thrown this season by quarterback Perry Shazier). Running backs Kevin Harrigan and Alfred Leon have combined for another 22 touchdowns. They are a very physical team and will present a challenge to Marcos de Niza’s defense, which has allowed just 136 points (12.4 per game.) Statistically Marcos is the toughest defense Sunnyside has faced this season in terms of points allowed.