THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7
5A: Nogales (2-2) at Desert View (4-0)
The Jaguars could find themselves in the Open Division rankings next week and Nogales can make some noise.
1A: Ft. Thomas (1-4) at St. David (5-1)
The Tigers are marching toward a high seed.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8
6A: Tucson (1-3) at Westwood (2-3)
First 6A East Valley Region game for both teams. This is a very winnable region with none of the six teams having a winning record.
6A: Pinnacle (1-3) at 5A Salpointe (3-1)
The first power-rankings for 4A, 5A and 6A will be released Tuesday at noon. This is a must-win situation for the Lancers with a trip to play at Desert View coming up.
5A: Flowing Wells (2-3) at Rincon/UHS (1-3)
The Caballeros can draw even for the first time since 2018 and the Rangers need this win to help lessen the blow of a very difficult region schedule coming up.
5A: Cienega (1-3) at Mountain View (1-3)
Both teams are searching for that season-changing victory. Coming back from a 1-4 record will be very difficult with region play on the horizon.
4A: Casa Grande (4-0) at 5A Buena (1-3)
The Cougars have yet to be truly tested so far. A win here could come bring a high ranking. Buena needs to stop the bleeding.
4A: Peoria (1-4) at Canyon del Oro (2-3)
The Dorados can continue their run with three straight wins heading into region play.
4A: Sahuaro (0-3) at Catalina Foothills (1-4)
Look for Catalina Foothills to rebound from two straight losses while the Cougars are hoping to compete with a full roster.
4A: Mica Mountain (1-0) at Douglas (1-2)
The first official road game for the Thunderbolts will be a bit of a drive. Douglas has been outscored 98-7 in the last two games so the Bulldogs will need to find some offense.
4A: Amphitheater (3-1) at Vista Grande (2-2)
The Panthers look to make a run for a higher seed in the playoffs and it needs to start Friday.
4A: Empire (2-3) at Sierra Linda (3-2)
The Ravens can win three games for the first time since 2018.
4A: Greenway (3-1) at Walden Grove (2-3)
Two big losses in a row for the Red Wolves and CDO is coming next week so this game is critical.
3A: Safford (5-1) at 4A Pueblo (2-2)
A difficult match for Pueblo and this is as good as it gets.
3A: Pusch Ridge (5-1) at Sabino (4-2)
Huge game with playoff implications. The winner of the 3A South win get an automatic playoff berth but it will be difficult.
2A: Willcox (6-0) at Pima (4-2)
This one goes back to 1950. Willcox is building for the final week against Benson but the Cowboys have to take care of business first.
2A: Benson (3-2) at Bisbee (3-3)
The Bobcats are looking to rebound from the loss to Pima and Bisbee just happens to be the next team on the schedule. A loss here could severely damage Benson’s seeding.
2A: Santa Cruz (2-4) at Catalina (1-5)
There might not be enough power points left on the schedule for the Dust Devils so each game is now a playoff game for the defending state champions.
2A: Tanque Verde (4-2) at Sequoia Pathway (4-2)
The Hawks already set a school record with four wins and five wins guarantees an even record.
2A: Santa Rita (0-4) at St. John Paul II (2-3)
The Eagles have to travel to Goodyear for this one.
2A: Morenci (5-1) at Tombstone (2-3)
Morenci is the real deal and Tombstone is young.
1A: Valley Union (3-3) at Baboquivari (2-2)
The Blue Devils of Elfrida are on the edge of missing the playoffs and there’s still time for Baboquivari to get back in the playoff picture.
1A: Cibecue (0-3) at San Manuel (5-1)
San Manuel hopes to move up in the rankings for a better seed.
BYE: 5A Cholla (1-4), Sunnyside (4-1), Ironwood Ridge (2-3), 4A Rio Rico (0-4), 3A Sahuarita (1-5).
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14
2A: Tombstone at Pima
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15
6A: Skyline at Tucson
5A: Salpointe at Desert View
5A: Sunnyside at Marana
5A: Ironwood Ridge at Cienega
5A: Buena at Cholla
5A: Rincon/UHS at Nogales
4A: Canyon del Oro at Walden Grove
4A: Douglas at Amphitheater
4A: Pueblo at Tempe
4A: Sahuaro at Casa Grande
4A: Rio Rico at Empire
3A: Pusch Ridge at Safford
3A: Eastmark at Sahuarita
2A: Tanque Verde at 3A: Sabino
2A: Morenci at Benson
2A: Sequoia Pathway at Santa Cruz
2A: Catalina at Santa Rita
2A: Bisbee at Willcox
1A: San Manuel at Baboquivari
1A: Hayden at St. David
1A: Duncan at Valley Union
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16
5A: Mountain View vs. Flowing Wells at Tucson, 6 p.m.
BYE: 4A Catalina Foothills
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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, became a member of the Sunnyside Los Mezquites Cross Country Hall of Fame in 2021 and he was a member of the Amphi COVID-19 Blue Ribbon Committee and he earned a Distinguished Service Award from Amphitheater. Contact Andy Morales at amoralesmytucson@yahoo.com