Raul Soto-Romero of Jet Sports Network talked with me about Week 6 matchups in the Southern Arizona high school football season in our weekly video podcast show.
VIDEO PODCAST
AUDIO PODCAST
TACKLE WEEK SIX SCHEDULE
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
5A SOUTHERN
5A Sunnyside (3-1, 0-0) at Nogales (2-2, 0-1), postponed because of lightning. Game will resume Saturday at 10 a.m. with the Blue Devils leading 20-0 in the first quarter.
1A EAST
1A San Manuel 42, Scottsdale Cicero Prep 16
NON-REGION
2A: Morenci 20, Benson 14
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE
7 p.m. kickoff unless noted
5A SONORAN
Buena (3-1, 1-0) at Marana (3-1, 1-0)
This was a classic game last year with Buena leading 35-28 entering the fourth quarter at Marana before the Tigers rallied behind the passing of Colton Meyer to pull off the win and remain unbeaten. Meyer is back for his senior season, passing to Sean Roebuck, younger brother of Dezmen Roebuck, who is now playing as a true freshman at Washington. Meyer has completed 110 of 157 pass attempts for 1,278 yards with 14 touchdowns and two interceptions while Sean Roebuck, only a junior, is at 29 receptions for 335 yards and two touchdowns. Buena features a strong running game, led by senior Michael Lujan, who has gained 571 yards on 73 carries with six touchdowns.
Canyon del Oro (2-2, 0-1) at Ironwood Ridge (0-4, 0-1)
Tucson (1-3, 0-1) at Vista Grande (2-2, 0-0)
5A SOUTHERN
Maricopa (2-2, 0-1) at Desert View (4-0, 1-0)
Desert View will attempt to start 5-0 for the second time in the last five years under Robert Bonillas. That’s happened only one other time in program history — 2016, when the Jaguars started 6-0 and finished 8-3. In 2021, Desert View started 5-0 and finished 10-2. The APS Digital Print/Frog & Firkin Player of the Week, Desert View sophomore running back Jaylee Abraham, has gained 563 yards on 53 carries with 12 touchdowns.
Cienega (2-2, 1-0) at Mountain View (2-2, 0-1)
Cienega has an opportunity to start 2-0 in region play while extending its winning streak to three games. Bobcat DE Andrei Davis-Lopez has tallied 11 sacks and 13 tackles for loss through the first four games. Mountain View played without injured LB Jason Pogue last week in its 54-26 loss against Desert View. He is likely out again this week but expected back next week.
3A EAST
Pusch Ridge (5-0, 1-0) at Thatcher (3-1, 1-0)
Pusch Ridge will try to extend its school-record 17-game winning streak with a tough game at Thatcher — a matchup that will go a long way toward deciding the 3A East champion. The Lions’ two-quarterback system is thriving with MJ Buckner and Race Pinneo, who have combined to pass for 1,088 yards while completing 82 of 113 pass attempts. They have 12 touchdown passes and only one interception.
Coolidge (3-2, 1-1) at Florence (1-4, 0-2)
The Bears, who lead the rivalry series with Florence 43-34-3, are coming off three straight losses against the Gophers, including a 68-0 loss at home last year. The schools from the small towns north of Tucson are less than 10 miles apart, which means fans from both schools pack the stadiums. The series dates to 1935. Coolidge is rebounding from a 0-10 season following the return of legendary coach Carlo Hernandez.
San Tan Foothills (0-5, 0-2) at Safford (1-4, 0-1)
2A SOUTH I
Tombstone (0-4, 0-0) at Palo Verde (2-3, 0-1)
The Titans’ region home opener is an important one with Jamal Chatman‘s program trying to achieve its first winning season since 2009, when Todd Mayfield coached the Titans to the state semifinals. Defeating a struggling Tombstone team at home could make for a momentum build with games against Catalina and Santa Rita afterward. The Titans then have a home game against Bisbee on Oct. 17. Tombstone has defeated the Titans the previous two seasons by scores of 40-7 in 2023 and 49-14 to close last season in the game at Palo Verde.
Tanque Verde (3-2, 1-0) at Santa Rita (0-5, 0-1)
2A INDEPENDENT
Catalina (2-2, 0-0) at Avondale St. John Paul II (1-4, 0-1)
Virgil Henderson is trying to coach his alma mater to its first winning season since 2007, when Catalina finished 6-4.
1A SOUTH
Baboquivari (0-5, 0-3) at Duncan (2-3, 1-2)
NON-REGION
6A Salpointe (3-1) at ALA-Queen Creek (0-4)
The Lancers will meet another powerhouse for the first time. ALA-Queen Creek, in search of its first win this season, is in only its 15th year of existence, but the Patriots have won three state titles in 2013, 2016 and 2019. ALA-Queen Creek lost 40-35 to Basha in the semifinals of the Open Division tournament last year. The Lancers also play at Basha on Oct. 17 in another marquee matchup. The game between Salpointe and ALA-Queen Creek should be an offensive showcase with the Lancers’ talented junior quarterback Matthew Avelar, along with junior receiver RJ Gory, leading the Lancers. Salpointe’s returning All-6A first-team defensive tackle Noah Bahnie and his teammates on defense will try to defend against senior QB Britton DeWitt, senior receiver Khalil Bender, junior receiver Braylon Kasper and junior tight end Talan Scott — all Division I prospects. One of the Patriots’ losses was against Mesa Red Mountain, 31-28 on the road Sept. 5. Salpointe lost 38-0 at Red Mountain last week. The combined record of the four teams that have beaten ALA-Queen Creek — Chandler Hamilton, Red Mountain, Chandler, and Peoria Liberty — is 14-2.
3A Sabino (3-2) at 4A Sahuaro (2-2)
The eastside rivalry has grown more intense with Sabino winning three straight games before Sahuaro pulled off a 15-14 win to open last season at Sabino. The Cougars have struggled this century against the Sabercats with a 5-20 record after the series was tied 13-13 from 1974-99. Playing Sabino at home could help Sahuaro win consecutive games in the series for the first time since 2018 and 2019. The previous time that happened was way back in 1988 and 1991.
4A Cholla (2-2) at Amphitheater (1-3)
Cholla’s first-year coach Roland Youngling is a Class of 2011 Amphi alum who played under the legendary Vern Friedli. After playing at Pima College under Pat Nugent, Youngling returned to his alma mater and became a defensive and offensive line coach under Jorge Mendivil. After Mendivil retired following last season, Amphi hired Stanley Richardson from Denver and Youngling applied for the opening at Cholla. Youngling brought some of Mendivil’s former staff members with him to Cholla, including former Arizona offensive lineman David Watson Sr. and defensive coordinator Moe Espinoza.
4A Phoenix Carl Hayden (1-3) at 5A Flowing Wells (4-0)
Flowing Wells will attempt to start a season 5-0 for the first time since 2015, when the Caballeros started 7-0 under Mark Brunenkant and finished 9-2. Flowing Wells also started 6-0 in 2014. The previous time the Caballeros started 5-0 was in 1994 under John Kashner. Flowing Wells QB Benicio Ruiz has passed for 468 yards and rushed for 521. He is averaging 9.3 yards per carry.
4A Sahuarita (1-3) at Mica Mountain (2-2)
4A Catalina Foothills (2-2) at Pueblo (1-3)
4A Walden Grove (2-2) at Empire (0-4)
4A Rincon/UHS (2-2) at Douglas (3-1)
4A Phoenix North Canyon (1-3) at Rio Rico (1-3)
2A Phoenix Madison Highland (0-4) at Desert Christian (3-2), 6 p.m.
2A Phoenix AZ Lutheran (4-1) at Eloy Santa Cruz Valley (3-2)
2A Chandler Prep (3-2) at Bisbee (2-3)
2A Scottsdale Prep (1-3) at Willcox (4-1)
1A Superior (4-1) at St. David (5-0)
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