2024 High School Football

2024 Southern Arizona high school football schedules: 4A Kino



Pat Nugent is entering his 22nd season of coaching at the high school level, fourth at Mica Mountain in 2024 (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)

NOTE: With the AIA officially releasing the 2024 football schedules recently, AllSportsTucson.com will take a look at the schedules of each region 1A-6A in Southern Arizona in a series of posts. Click on the conference to access the stories in the series.
1A South
2A San Pedro
3A South
4A Gila
4A Kino (this post)
5A Sonoran (upcoming)
5A Southern (upcoming)
6A Central (upcoming)

4A KINO SCHEDULING NOTES:

— The 4A Kino has three of the most tenured coaches locally, all of whom have enjoyed success — CDO’s Scott McKee (first year with the Dorados but in his 19th season of being a head coach following stints at Pueblo and Sahuaro), Mica Mountain’s Pat Nugent (22nd season overall, fourth at Mica Mountain) and Walden Grove’s Corey Noble (eighth year at the school). Sahuaro’s Al Alexander (third year) and Pueblo’s Sly Lewis (first) were also longtime assistant coaches locally at established programs (Alexander at Salpointe and Lewis at Sabino) before getting their chance to be a head coach.

— CDO, transitioning without coach Dustin Peace and 28 seniors from last year, starts defense of its 4A state title with a game at Mesa Eastmark, which was 9-3 last year. The Dorados then host Bradshaw Mountain, which was 7-4. The Dorados also play 5A schools Desert View on the road and Marana at home. They have a difficult end to the schedule playing three of their last four region games on the road.

— Catalina Foothills’ new head coach Greg McKinstry II is under a much different situation with the Falcons coming from the struggling 2A program at Catalina (which he tried his hardest to resuscitate). The Falcons have one of the most arduous non-region schedules playing at perennial power Yuma Catholic in Week 2 before hosting 5A schools Buena and Tucson and consistent winner Pusch Ridge in the following three games. At least all those games are at home. And then Catalina Foothills plays four of its five region games on the road.

— Mica Mountain hosts Poston Butte (6-5 last season) before visiting Mesquite (5-5) to start the season. The Thunderbolts then visit defending 3A state champion Sabino before hosting 5A school Sunnyside. The non-region schedule wraps up with a game at Casa Grande before the Thunderbolts open at home against 4A Kino opponents Pueblo and CDO after having to start on the road in the first two region games last season.

— The Lewis era at his alma mater kicks off at home against Nogales on Aug. 30. Four of the Warriors’ five non-region games are against local schools with the other game a trip to Vista Grande at Casa Grande in Week 2. The Warriors play three of their first four region games at on the road before ending the regular season at home against Sahuaro.

— The eastside rivalry game between Sahuaro and Sabino kicks off the season Aug. 30 at Sabino. The Cougars play four of their five non-region games on the road, including a game at Northwest Christian (9-3 last season), before playing their first four region games at home in somewhat of a unique schedule. Sahuaro had to do the reverse last season, however, playing their first four region foes on the road.

— Walden Grove gets a revenge game at home against Northwest Christian to open the season Aug. 30 after the Red Wolves lost twice to the Northwest Christian on the road last season, including in the first round of the 4A state playoffs. Walden Grove’s non-region schedule is as difficult as it gets with games at Arcadia, Cienega and Desert View after the game with Northwest Christian. Mountain View, a 5A school, then visits in Week 5 before the region schedule starts. After games at Sahuaro and Pueblo to open 4A Kino play, Walden Grove hosts the last three region games.

4K KINO SCHEDULES

CANYON DEL ORO

Head coach: Scott McKee (first year at CDO; 83-102, 19th year overall)

Dorados compete in the 4A Kino. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LRegOvr
8/30at Eastmark------
9/6Bradshaw Mountain------
9/13at Desert View------
9/20Amphi------
9/27Marana------
10/11Catalina Foothills*------
10/18at Mica Mountain*------
10/25Pueblo*------
11/1at Sahuaro*------
11/8at Walden Grove*------

CATALINA FOOTHILLS

Head coach: Greg McKinstry III (first year at Catalina Foothills; 5-25, fourth year overall)

Falcons compete in the 4A Kino. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/30Combs------
9/6at Yuma Catholic------
9/13Buena ------
9/20Pusch Ridge------
9/27Tucson------
10/4at Sahuaro*------
10/11at Canyon del Oro*------
10/25at Walden Grove*------
11/1Pueblo*------
11/8at Mica Mountain*------

MICA MOUNTAIN

Head coach: Pat Nugent (20-9, fourth season at Mica Mountain; 158-66, 22nd season overall)

Thunderbolts compete in the 4A Kino. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LMMOpp
8/30Poston Butte------
9/6at Mesquite------
9/13at Sabino------
9/20Sunnyside------
9/27at Casa Grande------
10/11Pueblo*------
10/18Canyon del Oro*------
10/25at Sahuaro*------
11/1at Walden Grove*------
11/8Catalina Foothills*------

PUEBLO

Head coach: Sly Lewis (first year at Pueblo and overall)

Warriors compete in the 4A Kino. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/30Nogales------
9/6at Vista Grande------
9/13Cholla------
9/20at Empire------
9/27Buena------
10/11at Mica Mountain*------
10/18Walden Grove*------
10/25at Canyon del Oro*------
11/1at Catalina Foothills*------
11/8Sahuaro*------

SAHUARO

Head coach: Al Alexander (8-12, third year at Sahuaro and overall)

Cougars compete in the 4A Kino. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/30at Sabino------
9/6at Northwest Christian------
9/13Douglas------
9/20at Cholla------
9/27at Ironwood Ridge------
10/4Catalina Foothills*------
10/11Walden Grove*------
10/25Mica Mountain*------
11/1Canyon del Oro*------
11/8at Pueblo*------

WALDEN GROVE

Head coach: Corey Noble (47-23, eighth year at Walden Grove and overall)

Red Wolves compete in the 4A Kino. *Region games. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LWGOpp
8/30Northwest Christian------
9/6at Arcadia------
9/20at Cienega------
9/27at Desert View------
10/4Mountain View------
10/11at Sahuaro*------
10/18at Pueblo*------
10/25Catalina Foothills*------
11/1Mica Mountain*------
11/8Canyon del Oro*------

2024 SOUTHERN ARIZONA COACHING CHANGES

SchoolClassFormer coachNew coach
Benson2ADustin CluffChris Rasmussen
Bisbee2AShawn HolleyCarlos Lopez
Canyon del Oro4ADustin PeaceScott McKee
Catalina 2AGreg McKinstry IIIAndy Fetsis
Catalina Foothills4ADaniel SainzGreg McKinstry III
Cholla4AVirgil HendersonPaul Tripp
Desert Christian1A(New program)Jason McKibben
Morenci3ARishard DavisFrankie Gonzalez
Pueblo4AJake AllenSly Lewis
Rincon/University4AKhyree CopelandJohnny Chan
Rio Rico4AJeff ScurranCarlos Duran
Sahuarita4AJake PriceJake Allen
Salpointe6AEric RogersPat Ryden
Willcox2AEric HjalmarsonJeston Lotts
Rasmussen, Lopez, Fetsis, Tripp, McKibben, Gonzalez, Lewis, Chan, Duran and Ryden are in their first stints as head coaches in football.

4A GILA

AMPHI

Head coach: Jorge Mendivil (40-54, 11th season at Amphi and 121-101 overall in 23rd season overall).

Panthers compete in the 4A Gila. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/30Maryvale------
9/6at Independence------
9/13Flowing Wells------
9/20at Canyon del Oro------
9/27Cholla*------
10/4at Douglas*------
10/11Empire*------
10/18at Rincon/University*------
10/25Rio Rico*------
11/1at Sahuarita*------

CHOLLA

Head coach: Paul Tripp (first year at Cholla and overall)

Chargers compete in the 4A Gila. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/29at Copper Canyon------
9/6Maryvale------
9/13at Pueblo------
9/20Sahuaro------
9/27at Amphi*------
10/4Rincon/University*------
10/11Douglas *------
10/18at Sahuarita*------
10/25at Empire*------
11/1Rio Rico*------

DOUGLAS

Head coach: Hunter Long (15-24, sixth year at Douglas and overall)

Bulldogs compete in the 4A Gila. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/30ALA - Ironwood------
9/6at Bisbee------
9/13at Sahuaro------
9/20Ironwood Ridge------
9/27Empire*------
10/4Amphi*------
10/11at Cholla*------
10/18at Rio Rico*------
11/1Rincon/University*------
11/8at Sahuarita*------

EMPIRE

Head coach: George Kelly (15-27, sixth season at Empire and overall)

Ravens compete in the 4A Gila. *Region game. Games are at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/30Sierra Linda------
9/6at La Joya------
9/13at Ironwood Ridge------
9/20Pueblo------
9/27at Douglas*------
10/4Sahuarita*------
10/11at Amphi*------
10/25Cholla*------
11/1at Rio Rico*------
11/8Rincon/University*------

RINCON/UNIVERSITY

Head coach: Johnny Chan (first year at Rincon/University and overall)

Rangers compete in the 4A Gila. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/30Washington------
9/6Palo Verde------
9/13at Safford------
9/27Rio Rico*------
10/4at Cholla*------
10/11at Vista Grande------
10/18Amphi*------
10/25Sahuarita*------
11/1at Douglas*------
11/8at Empire*------

RIO RICO

Head coach: Carlos Duran (first year at Rio Rico and overall)

Hawks compete in the 4A Gila. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.

DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/30at Desert Sunrise------
9/5Glendale------
9/13Nogales------
9/19at Florence------
9/27at Rincon/University*------
10/11Sahuarita*------
10/18Douglas*------
10/25at Amphi*------
11/1Empire*------
11/8at Cholla*------

SAHUARITA

Head coach: Jake Allen (first year at Sahuarita, 15-15, fifth year overall).

Mustangs compete in the 4A Gila. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/30Alhambra------
9/6at Deer Valley------
9/13at Maricopa------
9/20Flowing Wells------
10/4at Empire*------
10/11at Rio Rico*------
10/18Cholla*------
10/25at Rincon/University*------
11/1Amphi*------
11/8Douglas*------

3A SOUTH

MORENCI

Head coach: Frankie Gonzalez (first year at Morenci and overall).

Wildcats compete in the 3A South. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/23ALA - Ironwood------
8/30Round Valley------
9/6Benson------
9/13Pima------
9/20at Blue Ridge------
10/4at Safford*------
10/11Pusch Ridge*------
10/18at Fountain Hills------
10/25at Sabino*------
11/1Thatcher*------

PUSCH RIDGE

Head coach: Kent Middleton (34-11, fifth year at Pusch Ridge and overall)

Lions compete in the 3A South. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/30at Show Low------
9/6at Benjamin Franklin------
9/13Yuma------
9/20at Catalina Foothills------
9/27San Tan Foothills------
10/4Sabino*------
10/11at Morenci*------
10/18Coolidge------
10/25at Thatcher*------
11/1Safford*------

SABINO

Head coach: Ryan McBrayer (56-20, eighth year at Sabino and overall)

Sabercats compete in the 3A South. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/23Coolidge------
8/30Sahuaro------
9/6at Crismon------
9/13Mica Mountain------
9/20Safford*------
10/4at Pusch Ridge*------
10/11at Thatcher*------
10/18at ALA-West Foothills------
10/25Morenci*------
11/1at Mohave------

SAFFORD

Head coach: Robert Park (14-18, fourth season at Safford and overall)

Bulldogs compete in the 3A South. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/23Payson------
8/30at Pima------
9/6Florence------
9/13Rincon/University------
9/20at Sabino*------
9/27at Blue Ridge------
10/4Morenci*------
10/11at Round Valley------
10/18Thatcher*------
11/1at Pusch Ridge*------

THATCHER

Head coach: Daniel Jones (33-14, fifth season at Thatcher and overall.)

Eagles compete in the 3A South. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/23Paradise Honors------
8/30at Crismon------
9/6Valley Christian------
9/13at Round Valley------
9/20Yuma Catholic------
10/4at Show Low------
10/11Sabino*------
10/18at Safford*------
10/25Pusch Ridge*------
11/1at Morenci*------

2024 SOUTHERN ARIZONA COACHING CHANGES

SchoolClassFormer coachNew coach
Benson2ADustin CluffChris Rasmussen
Bisbee2AShawn HolleyCarlos Lopez
Canyon del Oro4ADustin PeaceScott McKee
Catalina 2AGreg McKinstry IIIAndy Fetsis
Catalina Foothills4ADaniel SainzGreg McKinstry III
Cholla4AVirgil HendersonPaul Tripp
Desert Christian1A(New program)Jason McKibben
Morenci3ARishard DavisFrankie Gonzalez
Pueblo4AJake AllenSly Lewis
Rincon/University4AKhyree CopelandJohnny Chan
Rio Rico4AJeff ScurranCarlos Duran
Sahuarita4AJake PriceJake Allen
Salpointe6AEric RogersPat Ryden
Willcox2AEric HjalmarsonJeston Lotts
Rasmussen, Lopez, Fetsis, Tripp, McKibben, Gonzalez, Lewis, Chan, Duran and Ryden are in their first stints as head coaches in football.

2A SAN PEDRO

BENSON

Head coach: Chris Rasmussen (first year at Benson and overall)

Bobcats compete in the 2A San Pedro. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/23at Shadow Mountain------
8/30Phoenix Christian------
9/6at Morenci------
9/20Tombstone*------
9/27at Bisbee*------
10/4Palo Verde*------
10/11Santa Rita------
10/18Catalina*------
10/25Willcox*------
11/1at Tanque Verde*------

BISBEE

Head coach: Carlos Lopez (first year at Bisbee and overall)

Pumas compete in the 2A San Pedro. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/30at Madison Highland------
9/6Douglas------
9/13Santa Cruz Valley------
9/20at Catalina*------
9/27Benson*------
10/4Willcox*------
10/11at Palo Verde*------
10/18Tanque Verde*------
10/25at Tombstone*------
11/1at Santa Rita------

CATALINA

Head coach: Andy Fetsis (first year at Catalina and overall)

Trojans compete in the 2A San Pedro, *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/23at Highland Prep------
8/30NFL Yet------
9/6at ALA-Anthem South------
9/20Bisbee*------
9/27at Tanque Verde*------
10/4Santa Rita------
10/11Tombstone*------
10/18at Benson*------
10/25Palo Verde*------
11/1at Willcox*------

PALO VERDE

Head coach: Jamal Chatman (4-16, third year at Palo Verde and overall)

Titans compete in the 2A San Pedro. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/30Antelope Union------
9/6at Rincon/University------
9/13at Coronado------
9/20Tanque Verde*------
9/27Santa Rita------
10/4at Benson*------
10/11Bisbee*------
10/18at Willcox*------
10/25at Catalina*------
11/1Tombstone*------

SANTA RITA

Head coach: Douglas Smith (first year at Santa Rita and overall)

Eagles are in the 2A San Pedro but have no region games scheduled. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/30Globe------
9/6at San Pasqual------
9/12at ALA-Anthem South------
9/20Willcox------
9/27at Palo Verde------
10/4at Catalina------
10/11at Benson------
10/18at Tombstone------
10/25Tanque Verde------
11/1Bisbee------

TANQUE VERDE

Head coach: Jeffrey Bollnow (9-3, second year at Tanque Verde and overall)

Hawks compete in the 2A San Pedro. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LTVOpp
8/23Phoenix Christian------
9/6Glendale Prep------
9/13at Cortez------
9/20at Palo Verde*------
9/27Catalina*------
10/4at Tombstone*------
10/11Willcox*------
10/18at Bisbee*------
10/25at Santa Rita------
11/1Benson*------

TOMBSTONE

Head coach: Dominik Bonilla (15-16, fourth year at Tombstone and overall)

Yellowjackets compete in the 2A San Pedro. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/29at Heritage Academy Laveen------
9/6San Carlos------
9/13Globe------
9/20at Benson*------
9/27at Willcox*------
10/4Tanque Verde*------
10/11at Catalina*------
10/18Santa Rita------
10/25Bisbee*------
11/1at Palo Verde*------

WILLCOX

Head coach: Jeston Lotts (first year at Willcox, 61-40, 10 years overall).

Cowboys compete in the 2A San Pedro. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/23at Arizona Lutheran------
8/30Tonopah Valley------
9/6Show Low------
9/20at Santa Rita------
9/27Tombstone*------
10/4at Bisbee*------
10/11at Tanque Verde*------
10/18Palo Verde*------
10/25at Benson*------
11/1Catalina*------

1A CONFERENCE

BABOQUIVARI

Head coach: Cody Garcia (5-4, second year at Baboquivari and overall)

Warriors compete in the 1A South (8-man football). *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.

DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/23Fort Thomas*------
8/30at St. David*------
9/6Valley Union*------
9/20at Ray*------
9/27Duncan*------
10/4at Hayden------
10/18at San Manuel*------

DESERT CHRISTIAN

Head coach: Jason McKibben (first year at Desert Christian and overall)

Eagles are a 1A independent team (8-man football). Games at 7 p.m.

DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/23at Bagdad------
8/30Anthem Prep------
9/6Desert Heights------
9/13at Maryvale Prep------
9/20Cicero Prep------
9/27Salome------
10/4Mohave Accelerated------
10/18at St. David------

SAN MANUEL

Head coach: Ernest Ivy (29-17, sixth year at San Manuel and overall)

Miners compete in the 1A South (8-man football). *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/23Lincoln Prep------
8/30at Ray*------
9/6at Duncan*------
9/13Fort Thomas*------
9/20at Valley Union*------
9/27Cicero Prep------
10/4at St. David*------
10/11at Desert Heights------
10/18Baboquivari*------

ST. DAVID

Head coach: Braden Davis (41-25, eighth year at St. David and overall)

Tigers compete in the 1A South (8-man football). *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/23at Cicero Prep------
8/30Baboquivari*------
9/6Ray*------
9/13at Duncan*------
9/20Mogollon------
9/27at Valley Union*------
10/4San Manuel*------
10/10at Fort Thomas*------
10/18Desert Christian------

VALLEY UNION

Head coach: Skyler Hill (6-11, third year at Valley Union and overall)

Blue Devils compete in the 1A South (8-man football). *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.

DateOpponentW/LOvrReg
8/30Desert Heights------
9/6at Baboquivari*------
9/13Ray*------
9/20San Manuel*------
9/27St. David*------
10/4at Fort Thomas*------
10/11at Duncan*------
10/18Superior------

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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. He became an educator in 2016 and is presently a special education teacher at Sunnyside High School in the Sunnyside Unified School District.

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