We are one step closer to finalizing the roadmap for the 2020-2022 football alignments. The six conferences solidified their regions on Tuesday and the next step is to set schedules and that must be done by Feb. 18. Once that is completed, everything will be a go but programs will still be allowed to change games times, locations and dates with approval. The Open Division, of course, will be decided when appropriate.
Here are the Region Alignments for the 39 Southern Arizona teams:
TEAM, 2019 RECORD, RANKING (Southern Arizona Schools in Italics)
6A REGION 4
Corona del Sol, 4-7 (16)
Mesa, 6-4 (18)
Tucson, 4-6 (21)
Dobson, 3-7 (24)
Skyline, 2-8 (26)
Westwood, 2-4 (28)
The Badgers move from the 6A Metro Region to an entirely new region with completely different opponents. The Badgers finished 4-6 overall last year with a 4-1 record in their region. Corona del Sol was the only team to make the playoffs last year after four teams from the 6A Conference made the Open Division and the Aztecs were one of three teams with only four wins to make the playoffs. The Badgers last played Mesa in 2014; Westwood in 2010 and Corona del Sol in 2008. The Badgers have never played against Dobson or Skyline.
5A SONORAN I
Salpointe, 10-1 (4A: Open 4)
Buena, 8-3 (9)
Mountain View, 6-5 (16)
Desert View, 6-4 (22)
Flowing Wells, 2-8 (33)
Cholla, 2-8 (34)
Salpointe moved up from 4A after making the Open Division and finishing in the top three in the state. Buena and Mountain View made the 5A playoffs last year. Mountain View won the 5A Sonoran Region.
5A SONORAN II
Cienega, 9-3 (7)
Ironwood Ridge, 5-6 (13)
Sunnyside, 3-7 (26)
Rincon/University, 6-4 (28)
Nogales, 4-6 (29)
Marana, 1-9 (32)
Cienega won the 5A Southern Region and the Bobcats were the only 5A team from Southern Arizona to win a playoff game. The Nighthawks also made the playoffs. Salpointe won the 4A Kino Region.
4A KINO
Sahuaro, 9-3 (1)
Canyon Del Oro, 8-3 (3)
Walden Grove, 9-2 (5)
Pueblo, 8-3 (11)
Casa Grande, 8-5 (12)
Mica Mountain, (New)
Walden Grove won the 4A Gila Region. This new region has playoff teams and a new team from the Vail School District, Mica Mountain.
4A GILA
Catalina Foothills, 3-7 (23)
Amphitheater, 5-5 (27)
Rio Rico, 4-6 (31)
Palo Verde, 3-7 (35)
Douglas, 3-7 (37)
Empire, 1-9 (5A: 40)
Empire moved down from 5A by appeal. No playoff teams
3A SOUTH
Safford, 8-3 (7)
Sabino, 8-4 (10)
Pusch Ridge, 5-5 (19)
Sahuarita, 5-5 (25)
Thatcher, 8-5 (2A: 7)
Thatcher moved up from 2A. Sabino is the only team from 3A to win a playoff game last year. Sabino has never played Thatcher.
2A SAN PEDRO
Benson, 8-4 (9)
Bisbee, 8-3 (10)
Morenci, 4-7 (15)
Willcox, 5-5 (18)
Pima, 3-6 (20)
Tombstone, 2-8 (33)
Basically the same region Benson won last year except Santa Rita moved out and Morenci and Pima moved in. Three playoff teams. Benson won a playoff game.
2A RILLITO
Santa Cruz, 10-3 (4)
Antelope Union, 7-4 (12)
Santa Rita, 3-7 (29)
Catalina, 1-9 (3A: 37)
Tanque Verde, 0-10 (3A: 39)
Sequoia Pathway, (New)
Santa Cruz is the dominant team in this region by reputation. Sequoia Pathway is a new AIA school and Tanque Verde and Catalina moved down from 3A.
1A SOUTH
Duncan, 7-3 (6)
Fort Thomas, 6-5 (11)
St. David, 5-4 (12)
Baboquivari, 4-4 (14)
Valley Union, 1-8 (20)
Cibecue, 0-8 (23)
Duncan, Fort Thomas and St. David made the playoffs. Duncan won the 1A South Region and Fort Thomas made it to the quarterfinals.
1A EAST
Superior, 9-2 (3)
Hayden, 8-3 (5)
Ray, 3-6 (13)
Lincoln Prep, 1-5 (19)
San Manuel, 4-6 (2A: 26)
Tempe Prep, 2-8 (2A: 38)
Superior was the 1A runner-up last year and won the 1A East Region. Hayden finished in the semifinal round. San Manuel moves down to 8-man football.
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Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014, he was awarded the Ray McNally Award in 2017, a 2019 AZ Education News award winner and he has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. He was the first in Arizona to write about high school beach volleyball and high school girls wrestling. 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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