FRIDAY SCHEDULE
TONIGHT’S SCHEDULE
Games at 7 p.m.
FRIDAY
6A SOUTHERN
Salpointe (3-4, 0-1) at Gilbert Perry (5-2, 1-0)
Salpointe’s unsettled quarterback position has adversely affected the production of Kansas State-bound receiver David Rushing (19 receptions for 212 yards and two touchdowns).
5A NON-REGION
Mountain View (3-5) at Marana (5-3)
The Battle of the Boot includes two of the top Class of 2028 running backs in the state — Mountain View’s Drake Davis and Marana’s Jeffrey Smith III. Davis has 968 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns and Smith 928 yards and 15 touchdowns. … The Battle of the Boot started in 1988 when Mountain View head coach Wayne Jones wanted to create a tradition for the two Marana School District high schools — a trophy to pass between the two schools to commemorate a win, similar to the” Old Oaken Bucket” that was passed between Purdue and Illinois when Jones was a quarterback at Purdue. Jones felt the Marana and Mountain View rivalry would benefit from something similar. … Jones found a boot, had it bronzed and the “Battle of the Boot” tradition was born. … The “Boot” came from Bob Honea, a former Arizona basketball standout who graduated in 1947. … Mountain View leads to the series 14-6 but Marana has won four of the last five meetings.
5A SONORAN
Buena (5-3, 3-1) at Canyon del Oro (4-4, 2-2)
Buena is the only team in control of its own destiny to earn the region title. If the Colts beat CDO on the road this week and Ironwood Ridge at home next week, they will claim the 5A Sonoran title in coach Chris Determan’s first season.
Tucson (5-3, 3-2) at Ironwood Ridge (5-3, 3-1)
The Badgers, who have lost consecutive games after putting together a four-game winning streak, will look to get back on track and stop upstart Ironwood Ridge, which has improved drastically this season under Dale Stott after going to 1-9 last season.
Casa Grande (1-7, 0-4) at Vista Grande (3-5, 0-4)
This one is for the bragging rights of Casa Grande with each team in search of its first region win. Casa Grande holds a 5-4 edge in the series since Vista Grande began varsity competition in 2011.
5A SOUTHERN
Cienega (4-4, 4-0) at Desert View (8-0, 4-0)
The Bobcats will try to upset the Jaguars and clinch the 5A Southern title while Desert View will attempt to continue its dominance and achieve a repeat title. Robert Bonillas’ team has won its last 19 regular season games dating to 2024. … Cienega RB Josiah Keyes, who has 967 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, has emerged as one of the top running backs in Southern Arizona. Desert View’s Desmond Dowayee (462 rushing yards, eight touchdowns) and Greg McKinstry III (390 rushing yards, nine touchdowns) offer a talented one-two punch in the backfield for the Jaguars.
Nogales (2-6, 0-5) at Maricopa (5-3, 2-2)
Maricopa is playing for notching a winning record and Nogales is trying to end a six-game losing streak in which the Apaches have scored only 18 points.
Flowing Wells (4-4, 1-3) at Sunnyside (3-5, 2-2)
Sunnyside will try to avenge a 43-0 loss at Flowing Wells last season.
4A KINO
Mica Mountain (7-1, 2-1) at Catalina Foothills (2-6, 1-2)
Mica Mountain is still the No. 2-rated team in the state in 4A despite losing at home against Walden Grove two weeks ago. The Thunderbolts have not a lost a region game on the road since 2023. They have won their last seven region road games.
Douglas (5-3, 1-2) at Walden Grove (6-2, 3-0)
Walden Grove can earn its first region title since 2022 with a victory on Senior Night.
Amphitheater (1-7, 0-3) at Sahuaro (4-4, 2-1)
Sahuaro is one of the hottest teams in Southern Arizona, winning three of its last four games, including outscoring Catalina Foothills and Douglas 81-6 in the last two games.
4A GILA
Pueblo (6-2, 3-0) at Sahuarita (6-2, 3-0)
For the second consecutive year, this matchup will go a long way to establishing the region title. Pueblo won lost year’s game 14-13 at home and earned the region championship. … It will be a matchup of Pueblo’s potent passing game with QB Roman Otero (266 passing yards per game) and WR Jesus Enriquez (153.3 receiving yards per game) and Sahuarita with a strong running game with dual-threat QB Dane Hartnett (373 rushing yards/1,102 passing yards) and RB Trent Hubble (545 rushing yards). … Sahuarita is coached by Jake Allen, who coached at Pueblo before alum Sly Lewis started coaching at his alma mater in 2024.
Cholla (5-3, 2-1) at Rio Rico (2-6, 1-2)
Cholla, which hosts Sahuarita next week, has the opportunity to finish the season with at least seven wins for the first time since 2005 when the Chargers were 9-3.
Rincon UHS (0-8, 0-3) at Empire (0-8, 0-3)
A tough season for both schools will make a turn for the better for the winner, who will stay out of the region cellar.
3A EAST
Thatcher (6-2, 3-1) at Sabino (3-5, 1-2)
Sabino, three spots out of playoff contention rated at No. 19, has the opportunity to make a significant jump in the power rankings with an upset victory.
Safford (4-4, 1-3) at Florence (3-5, 2-2)
Florence, rated No. 11, has a strong chance to make the 16-team playoff field despite a 3-5 record. The Gophers are on a three-game winning streak after starting the season 0-5. They almost upset region winner Pusch Ridge, losing 28-24 at home, before going on their current winning streak.
Coolidge (4-4, 1-2) at San Tan Foothills (1-7, 0-4)
No. 14 Coolidge will try to improve its playoff chances playing its last two regular season games on the road, including a tough one at Thatcher next week.
2A CROSSOVER
Tanque Verde (6-3) at Willcox (9-0)
Ball control will be the key with both teams predominantly rushing teams. Tanque Verde’s running attack includes QB Gaines Gooch (544 rushing yards), Mason Sandoski (474), Beau Duke (413) and Noah McGill (289). Willcox features the potential 1,000-yard rushing pair of Asher Ward (940 yards) and Kaleb Cooke (933). … This is a rematch of last year’s crossover game for the 2A South’s automatic bid, won by host Tanque Verde 42-14. That was in the midst of a nine-game winning streak for the Hawks that ended with a state semifinal loss to St. Johns. … Willcox also advanced to the semifinal round last year. The Cowboys, under first-year coach Steven Ward, have the opportunity to go unbeaten in the regular season for the first time since 2010.
Tombstone (4-5) at Eloy Santa Cruz Valley (7-2)
Santa Cruz Valley, rated No. 6, has the opportunity to earn a first-round bye for the upcoming 2A state tournament by staying in the top 8.
Palo Verde (6-3) at Benson (7-2)
Palo Verde has already clinched its first back-to-back winning seasons since 2008 and 2009. Reaching seven wins in a season has also not happened since 2009. … Benson, rated No. 7, is also playing for a first-round bye.
Bisbee (1-8) at Desert Christian (2-7)
Normally competitive Bisbee has not achieved only one win in a full season since 2012.
Scottsdale Coronado (0-9) at Santa Rita (2-7)
How about them Eagles? Santa Rita can achieve at least a three-win season for only the second time in the last 13 years.
ALA-Sierra Vista (4-5) at Phoenix Bourgade Catholic (5-4)
ALA-Sierra Vista is trying to avoid a losing season in its first AIA-sanctioned season.
2A NON-REGION
San Carlos (1-8) at Catalina (3-6)
The Trojans will try to win at least four games in a season for the first time since going 5-5 in 2017.
1A FIRST ROUND
No. 11 San Manuel (3-6) at No. 6 Superior (6-3)
These teams met at San Manuel on Oct. 2 and Superior escaped with a 44-38 victory. The last time San Manuel faced Superior in the playoffs was a first-round game in 2022 and the Miners dominated 50-20.
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