Marana won a state championship in1964 under Duane Morrison and then back-to-back championships in 1967 and 168 under Don Hawkins. Hawkins went 21-0-1 in that time span but he was awarded the win, rather than a 13-13 tie with Hayden in 1967 due to the rules of the Class B conference at the time so he went 22-0. Marana entered the 20 yard line four times in that game compared to three for Hayden.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 27, 1968 AT THATCHER: MARANA 21 – ROUND VALLEY 6
Cleveland Colter scored three touchdowns and kicked the three extra points. Round valley scored on a desperation 52-yard pass on the last play of the game. Colter signed with the University of Arizona but he joined fellow Marana great Cleo Robinson at NAU.
TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
1911: Tucson
1912: Tucson
1919: Bisbee
1929: Tucson
1937: Tucson
1941: Bisbee
1942: Tucson and Amphitheater
1943: Tombstone
1944: Tucson and Tombstone
1945: Tucson
1946: Benson
1947: St. David
1948; St. David
1949: Benson and Willcox were runners-up
1950: St. David
1951: Tucson
1952: Tucson
1953: St. David
1954: Benson and Bisbee
1955: Benson
1956: Douglas runner-up
1957: Patagonia
1958: St. David
BEGINNING OF AIA PLAYOFFS
1959: Patagonia runner-up
1960: St. David
1961: Pueblo
1962: Tucson runner-up
1964: Marana
1965: Tucson
1966: Tucson
1967: Marana
1968: Marana
1969: Santa Cruz
We have 64 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.
Recommended for you
