Pueblo with first-year coach Jake Allen will host Palo Verde this Friday in the season opener for both teams, a change from the Warriors hosting Empire and the Titans traveling to Catalina.
Empire is under quarantine for two weeks because a player tested positive for COVID-19. The Ravens’ scheduled game next week against Tanque Verde at home has also been canceled.
Sahuarita also will not play Friday because of COVID-19 concerns at the school. The Mustangs were scheduled to open with a home game against Sabino after last week’s game against Nogales was canceled because the Apaches had a positive test.
Sahuarita is scheduled to play at Catalina Foothills next Friday.
Sabino coach Ryan McBrayer said the Sabercats are “exploring all options right now” in terms of another opponent Friday. Cienega, whose game with Nogales was canceled this week, is also in need of an opponent.
Empire’s positive case follows another one a month ago that caused its workouts to be canceled for two weeks.
“Hoping we get one game in at this point,” said Empire second-year coach George Kelly.
Catalina requested another week to prepare for the football season after TUSD approved a season on Oct. 23. The Trojans still plan on opening their season next Friday (Nov. 13) when they are scheduled to play at Rincon/University.
“We are just looking for games to help the few seniors we have get a shot,” Palo Verde second-year coach Mike Wells said.
Allen echoed that comment.
“Our mantra every single day is focus on what we do have control over, which has been working hard and getting better,” said Allen, who previously was an assistant under Matt Johnson at Ironwood Ridge and Mountain View. “We just have to hope that good things will happen, and we make it to Friday. That’s the great thing — I just want the kids to have an opportunity to play.”
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon.
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