We have 75 days until the high school football season gets underway in Southern Arizona and we will attempt to relive the state championship teams over the last 80 days starting with 1944. The AIA started to recognize state champions in 1959 but teams like Tucson High claimed ten “mythical” state championships before then, starting in 1911 under Pop McKale.
Like last year, the season will roll out with 1A, 2A and 3A starting early on Aug. 23 and the bigger school will start a week later. Flag Football will start on Sept. 17 with Sunnyside, Buena, Tucson, Mountain View and Palo Verde playing on that Tuesday.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23
3A CONFERENCE
Coolidge at Sabino, 7 p.m.
2A CONFERENCE
Phoenix Christian at Tanque Verde, 7 p.m.
Willcox at Arizona Lutheran, 7 p.m.
Catalina at Highland Prep, 7 p.m.
Benson at Shadow Mountain, 7 p.m.
1A CONFERENCE
Lincoln Prep at San Manuel, 7 p.m.
Fort Thomas at Baboquivari, 7 p.m.
Desert Christian at Bagdad, 7 p.m.
St. David at Cicero Prep, 7 p.m.
1949: WILLCOX AND BENSON COME CLOSE
News of the Day: A B-29 with 20 men aboard is lost near Bermuda. 80 planes searched 100,000 square miles with no sign.
Notable: Amphitheater beat Tucson for the first time, 13-12 but losses to St. Mary’s and Mesa ended all hopes for a Class A championship.
Willcox went 7-1 in 1949 with a loss to Benson. Benson went 8-1 with a loss to St. David. St. David lost to Willcox and Benson (played twice). Wickenburg (8-1) is considered the 6-man mythical championship team for that year.
Recommended for you
