FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
6A Alhambra (0-2) at 6A Tucson (1-1) (Region Game)
Tucson is 2-1 against Alhambra dating back to 2007 including a 55-0 win last year. The loss to Pueblo last Friday dropped the Badgers to 1-1 on the year. With 3-4 6A teams predicted to move into the “Open Division,” the Badgers are still in the 6A playoff mix and the team should treat each week as a playoff game from here.
5A Cienega (1-0) at 5A Sunnyslope (0-1)
Cienega beat Sunnyslope 35-7 last year in the first meeting between the two schools. The Bobcats host Centennial next week. As long as the team doesn’t look ahead to that game they should be fine.
5A Ironwood Ridge (1-0) at 5A Millennium (1-0)
Ironwood Ridge lost 30-27 to Millennium last year in the only meeting between the two programs. That loss was part of a three-game skid for the Nighthawks.
5A Nogales (1-0) at 5A Desert View (1-0)
Nogales owns a 21-5 record over Desert View but the Jaguars beat the Apaches 21-13 last year. A big win over Sunnyside last week has Desert View thinking good thoughts but both teams need this win to start out 2-0.
5A Rincon/UHS (1-0) at 5A Sunnyside (0-2)
Sunnyside holds a 26-8-2 advantage over Rincon dating back to 1959 including a 56-6 win last year. The Rangers opened up with a win for the first time since 2015 and the Blue Devils are 0-2 for the first time since 2003. Richard Sanchez guided that team to 12 straight wins and a state championship after the two losses.
5A Empire (0-1) at 5A Douglas (1-1)
Empire holds a 5-1 record over Douglas dating back to 2011. The Bulldogs are still trying to recover from an 8-2 season that was shifted to 2-8 after forced forfeits.
5A Flowing Wells (0-2) at Palm Desert (CA) (1-1)
Palm Desert beat Flowing Wells 9-7 last year. The Caballeros haven’t started out 0-3 since 2013. First three games for them this season have been on the road.
5A Mountain View (0-1) at 5A Higley (0-2)
Mountain View lost 39-14 to Higley last year in the only meeting between the two schools. The Mountain Lions started the season out 0-5 last year and Higley made it to the semifinal round but the Knights are 0-2 for the first time since 2010.
5A Cholla (0-2) at 4A Vista Grande (0-2)
Vista Grande beat Cholla 28-14 last year in the first meeting between the two programs.
5A Marana (0-2) at 4A Catalina Foothills (0-2)
Marana holds an 8-6 lead over Catalina Foothills dating back to 1995. Both teams started the 2012 season out 0-3.
4A Salpointe (1-0) at 4A Desert Edge (2-0)
Salpointe beat Desert Edge 28-21 last year in the first meeting between the two power programs. This game could decide which team has a shot at the Open Division come playoff time.
4A Apache Junction (1-1) at 4A Canyon del Oro (2-0)
Canyon del Oro is 3-0 against Apache Junction including a 55-26 win last year. The Dorados are looking to go 3-0 for the first time since 2010.
4A Pueblo (1-0) at 4A Casa Grande (1-1)
Pueblo is 2-4 against Casa Grande since 1988 including a 26-12 loss last year. Former University of Arizona DB standout Brandon Sanders hopes to guide the Warriors to a 2-0 start for the second time since 2006 but he will be going up against another Wildcat in former CB Randy Robbins. Robbins is the defensive coordinator for the Cougars.
4A Rio Rico (1-1) at 4A Catalina (0-1)
Catalina holds an 11-2 record over Rio Rico including a 30-25 win last year.
4A Palo Verde (1-1) at 3A Sahuarita (0-1)
Sahuarita holds a slim 5-4 lead over Palo Verde dating back to 2007. The Titans scored 61 points against Catalina last week.
4A Amphitheater (1-1) at 3A Tanque Verde (0-1)
Amphitheater beat Tanque Verde 45-0 last year in the only meeting between the two schools. Panther head coach Jorge Mendivil is looking for career win 100.
3A Sabino (1-0) at 4A Sahuaro (2-0)
Sabino holds a 26-15 record over Sahuaro in this rivalry. The Cougars beat Sabino 34-7 in the first win for the Cougars in the series since 2014 and the second time since 2003. This game will be the 41st Annual Rick Botkin Memorial Football Game for Sahuaro.
3A Pusch Ridge (1-0) at 4A Walden Grove (1-0)
Pusch Ridge is 3-1 against Walden Grove but the Red Wolves beat Pusch Ridge 21-0 last year.
2A Benson (1-0) at 2A Morenci (1-0)
Morenci is 17-14 against Benson dating back to 1982. The Bobcats are looking to go 2-0 for the first time since the 13-1 season of 2015.
2A Tombstone (1-0) at 2A San Manuel (0-2)
Tombstone holds an 8-6 record over San Manuel dating back to 2004 including a 36-26 win last year. The Yellow jackets started out 3-0 last year but finished 5-5.
2A Pima (0-1) at 2A Willcox (1-0)
Willcox is 17-2 over Pima since 1985. Willcox hoping to start out 2-0 for only the second time since 2014.
2A Bisbee (1-0) at 2A Globe (1-1)
Globe is 9-8 against Bisbee dating back to 1963. Bisbee went to 2-0 in 2014.
2A Santa Rita (0-1) at 2A San Carlos (0-1)
Santa Rita lost 18-6 to San Carlos last year. The Eagles are on an 0-25 streak that might be broken this week.
2A Santa Cruz (2-0) at 2A Round Valley (0-1)
The series is tied 1-1 with Round Valley pulling off a 20-19 win last year. The Dust Devils are on the road back.
1A Baboquivari (2-0) at 1A Arete Prep (0-2)
With the series tied 1-1, Baboquivari is hoping to start out 3-0 for the first time since 2003.
1A St. David (1-0) at 1A NFL Yet (1-0)
St. David is 3-0 against NFL Yet.
1A Valley Union (1-1) at 1A Joseph City (0-0)
Valley Union is 2-1 over Joseph City over the last three meetings.
BYE: Buena (1-1)
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Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014 and he was awarded the Ray McNally Award in 2017 and he has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. His own children have won multiple state high school championships and were named to all-state teams. Competing in hockey, basketball, baseball and track & field in high school, his unique perspective can only be found here and on AZPreps365.com. Andy is the Southern Arizona voting member of the Ed Doherty Award, recognizing the top football player in Arizona, and he was named a Local Hero by the Tucson Weekly for 2016. Andy was named an Honorary Flowing Wells Caballero in 2019. Contact Andy Morales at amoralesmytucson@yahoo.com
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