2024 High School Football

PODCAST: Sonoran House Football Week 9 Preview

By Javier Morales

Posted on October 18, 2024

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WEEK 9 (All games start at 7 p.m. unless noted)

BYES: 5A No. 5 Ironwood Ridge (6-1); 5A No. 26 Flowing Wells (3-4); 4A No. 29 Sahuaro (3-4), 4A No. 33 Catalina Foothills (1-5) and 4A No. 38 Empire (3-4).

FRIDAY

6A NON-REGION
No. 3 Liberty (5-1) at No. 13 Salpointe (4-1) … Lancers playing one of the most significant home games in their history with Liberty coming to town. Liberty DE Caden Branston, the No. 10 Class of 2025 prospect in the state, has committed to Colorado State. A victory for Salpointe will likely put it in the top 10 of the 6A rankings and make them appear on the Open Division list of 16 teams.

5A SOUTHERN
No. 1 Marana (7-0, 2-0) at No. 21 Cienega (3-3, 1-0) … Should be a lot of passes thrown with two of the best QBs in Southern Arizona playing — Class of 2026 standouts Colten Meyer of Marana and Julian Hainley of Cienega.
No. 38 Desert View (2-4, 0-1) at No. 9 Buena (5-1, 1-0) … Buena has to avoid looking ahead to next week’s game at Marana. The Colts are also playing for a top 8 seed in the 5A so they can host in the first round of the playoffs.
No. 17 Casa Grande (4-3, 0-2) at No. 23 Sunnyside (3-3, 0-1) … Casa Grande will try to snap a three-game losing streak while Sunnyside fights for its opportunity for a winning season and a spot in the state playoffs.

5A SONORAN
No. 22 Maricopa (4-2, 1-0) at No. 11 Tucson (4-2, 0-1) … Tucson High is coming off a close lose at home to Ironwood Ridge and can’t afford to slip up again with a potential chance to host in the first round of the state playoffs if it continues winning.
No. 16 Mountain View (3-3, 1-0) at No. 46 Nogales (0-6, 0-1) … Mountain View will try to take business as it plays its fourth straight road game with another game on the road next week at Maricopa.

4A KINO
No. 14 Canyon del Oro (4-2, 1-0) at No. 6 Mica Mountain (6-0, 1-0) … Mica Mountain will have payback on its mind after losing twice to CDO last week during the Dorados’ run to a state championship.l
No. 10 Walden Grove (4-2, 1-0) at No. 41 Pueblo (2-4, 0-1) … Walden Grove’s two losses are against Northwest Christian and Arcadia, who are a combined 13-1. The Red Wolves are on a mission to face Mica Mountain Nov. 1 at home with an unbeaten region record.

4A GILA
No. 28 Douglas (3-4, 3-0) at No. 35 Rio Rico (3-3, 0-3) … Douglas has won three straight games in the region while Rio Rico is coming off a loss at home last week against Sahuarita.
No. 37 Amphitheater (3-4, 2-1) at No. 46 Rincon/UHS (2-4, 1-1) … Both teams are playing for the hope of finishing with a winning record.
No. 53 Cholla (1-6, 0-3) at No. 31 Sahuarita (3-3, 2-0) … Sahuarita, under new coach Jake Allen, is one of the best stories of the year, going 0-10 overall and 0-6 in the region last season and now in position to start 3-0 in the region.

3A SOUTH
No. 2 Thatcher (6-1, 1-0) at No. 16 Safford (4-4, 2-0) … This is Safford’s chance to take the driver’s seat in the 3A South race playing the Eagles at home. Thatcher is playing for a top 2 seed to assure staying home during the 3A playoffs until the championship game.

3A NON-REGION
No. 34 Coolidge (0-7) at No. 7 Pusch Ridge (6-1) … This game might adversely affect Pusch Ridge’s power ratings because of Coolidge’s record. The Lions are gearing toward next week’s game against Thatcher at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher.
No. 27 Sabino (2-5) at No. 1 ALA West Foothills (7-0) … Sabino is in the midst of a grueling schedule playing Pusch Ridge, Thatcher and ALA-West Foothills on the road in consecutive weeks. The Sabercats play Mohave at home next week before ending the regular season with another tough trip to Mohave.

2A SAN PEDRO
No. 17 Tanque Verde (4-3, 2-2) at No. 7 Bisbee (6-1, 4-0) … Bisbee can secure the 2A San Pedro championship and automatic bid to the state playoffs with a victory. This is essentially a playoff game for Tanque Verde, which needs a victory to help its postseason chances.
No. 33 Palo Verde (3-4, 1-3) at No. 11 Willcox (4-3, 3-1) … Willcox has come on strong winning three of its last four games with the lone loss a 42-40 defeat in overtime at Bisbee.
No. 50 Santa Rita (0-7, 0-4) at No. 19 Tombstone (4-3, 2-2) … Tombstone is battling for a playoff spot among the top 16 teams in 2A. This game will adversely affect its power points but the Yellow Jackets have a home game against Bisbee next week that can be a significant boost.

1A SOUTH
No. 19 Baboquivari (1-7, 1-4) at No. 18 San Manuel (2-6, 1-4) … This game is for pride to end the season with the victory with both programs out of the playoff picture on the last day of the regular season.

1A NON-REGION
No. 6 Desert Christian (5-2) at No. 5 St. David (7-1) … Hard to believe but these teams could meet again in the 1A state playoffs although Desert Christian is in its first season of existence. This game will help both teams with power points, strengthening the possibility that they will host a first-round game in the 12-team playoff field.
No. 13 Superior (4-4) at No. 12 Valley Union (5-2) … This is in reality a playoff game because Valley Union and Superior are playing for that last No. 12 spot to make the 1A field that is announced Saturday.

SATURDAY

2A SAN PEDRO
No. 44 Catalina (1-6, 1-3) at No. 18 Benson (4-3, 3-1), Noon … Benson has its sights set on making the 16-team 2A playoff field. While this game may adversely affect their power points, the Bobcats will still be challenged by an improving Trojan program under Andy Fetsis.