“We’re a family first,” Marana coach Phillip Steward said about the rollercoaster month Marana has experienced.
In early August, the Tigers lost senior wide receiver Sean Roebuck Jr. to season-ending injuries from an automobile accident.
Starting the season 0-2, the average point margin in those losses was 18.5 points. As well, the school has had to deal with the loss of a student on campus last week.
“The first thing I did was talk to them (his players). We really sit down and talk to the players because we’re trying to figure out where they’re at mentally,” Steward said.
Marana coach Phillip Steward on his teams defense, Jeffrey Smith lll, Carter Meyers interception, cleaning up penalties and facing Buena next week. @AllSportsTucson @MaranaFB pic.twitter.com/VUOzkAI3MG
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) September 19, 2026
Jeffrey Smith lll talks about the first offensive series of the game where he capped it off with a 60+ yard touchdown.
Carter Meyer played stellar defense including an interception.
Smith and Meyer discuss the defenses ability to break through CDO’s offensive line for… pic.twitter.com/RfnkQDB2yn
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) September 19, 2026
When playing high school sports, especially football, players see their coaches as much as, or even more than, their parents. Their coaches become an extra support system.
Marana secured its first win last week against Yuma Catholic in a 39-38 shootout, thanks to senior wide receiver Jaxsun Sharp hauling in a touchdown with 11.6 seconds left.
“After everything we’ve been through, they show up every week; that’s why last week getting that first win was huge for us,” Steward said.
Marana (2-2, 1-0) hopped out to a 14-point lead in the first quarter against Canyon del Oro (2-2, 0-1) to open up region play Friday thanks to some explosive plays. The Tigers scored on the second play of the game with a 63-yard outside run by junior running back Jeffrey Smith III.
Late in the first, sophomore quarterback Isaac Flores connected with senior wide receiver Jesse Howell on a 30-yard pass. Howell’s ability after the catch added another score for Marana.
In the second half, the Tigers added two more scores. Smith III found the end zone again from 30 yards out, and senior running back Isaiah Owens ran one from 31 yards.
“I think we’re going to use all that stuff that happened to push us forward and keep pushing us,” Steward said.
The Marana defense forced two turnovers in the third. Junior defensive back Carter Meyer came up with an interception, and sophomore linebacker Kyan Reidy recovered a bobbled handoff by the Dorados.
After his teams loss to Marana, CDO coach Scott Mckee talked about his young team learning from mistakes, the play of his defense after they stopped Marana three times within the 6-yard line and the matchup against in town rival Ironwood Ridge next week. @AllSportsTucson… pic.twitter.com/yqYjT0Fyol
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) September 19, 2026
The Tigers will stay on the road Friday and travel to Sierra Vista for another 5A Sonoran matchup against Buena (2-2). Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m.
“Looking forward to seeing how we’re going to finish off the season,” Steward said. “We started slow, but we’re going to finish faster.”
CDO will host Ironwood Ridge Friday at 7 p.m.
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