NOTE: With the AIA officially releasing the 2024 football schedules last week, AllSportsTucson.com will take a look at the schedules of each region 1A-6A in Southern Arizona in a series of posts.
3A SOUTH SCHEDULING NOTES:
— Morenci will have alum Frankie Gonzalez as its head coach after Rishard Davis left to coach Jemison High School near his home in Huntsville, Ala. The other coaches in the league are at least in their fourth season at their respective school — Sabino’s Ryan McBrayer (eighth season), Pusch Ridge’s Kent Middleton (fifth year), Thatcher’s Daniel Jones (fifth year) and Safford’s Robert Park (fourth year).
— Morenci plays its first four games at home and have only four games on the road this season. The early home games will not be easy with ALA-Ironwood, Round Valley and Pima each coming off winning seasons. Pima went 13-1 with its loss in the 2A state championship game against Scottsdale Christian.
— Pusch Ridge will play three of its first four games on the road and its two games away from home in region play will be challenging against Morenci and Thatcher. The Lions’ annually anticipated game with Sabino is at home on Oct. 4.
— Sabino opens defense of its 3A state championship facing one of the most difficult schedules in the state. The Sabercats play local 4A schools Sahuaro and Mica Mountain at home and have a tough three road games consecutively in the middle of the season against Pusch Ridge, Thatcher and ALA-West Foothills (8-3 last year) from Oct. 4-18. The regular season ends with a home game against Morenci followed by a road game at Mohave (11-2).
— Safford hosts Rincon/University as part of its non-region schedule. The Bulldogs play four of their last six games on the road against challenging opponents including Sabino, Blue Ridge, Round Valley and Pusch Ridge. Safford also plays at Pima on the road in the second week of the season.
— Thatcher plays the runner-up in the 4A state title game (Yuma Catholic) and faces both teams involved in the 3A state championship last year (Sabino and Paradise Honors). The Eagles again open against Paradise Honors, this time at home after losing 35-14 in the opener last year at Paradise Honors (which went on to lose the 3A state championship game to Sabino). Much like the rest of the 3A South, Thatcher faces a daunting schedule that includes home games against Valley Christian (11-2 last season), Yuma Catholic (13-1 with lone loss against CDO in the 4A championship game), Sabino and Pusch Ridge.
3A SOUTH
MORENCI
Head coach: Frankie Gonzalez (first year at Morenci and overall).Wildcats compete in the 3A South. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
| Date | Opponent | W/L | Ovr | Reg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/23 | ALA - Ironwood | -- | -- | -- |
| 8/30 | Round Valley | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/6 | Benson | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/13 | Pima | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/20 | at Blue Ridge | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/4 | at Safford* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/11 | Pusch Ridge* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/18 | at Fountain Hills | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/25 | at Sabino* | -- | -- | -- |
| 11/1 | Thatcher* | -- | -- | -- |
PUSCH RIDGE (10-2)
Head coach: Kent Middleton (57-14, sixth year at Pusch Ridge and overall)Lions compete in the 3A East. *Region game. +Playoff game
&-at Mesa Westwood
| Date | Opponent | W/L | PR | Opp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/23 | San Tan Foothills* | W | 53 | 10 |
| 8/29 | at ALA-Ironwood | W | 41 | 14 |
| 9/5 | at Crismon | W | 28 | 27 |
| 9/11 | Catalina Foothills | W | 35 | 0 |
| 9/19 | Florence* | W | 39 | 27 |
| 9/26 | at Thatcher* | L | 14 | 28 |
| 10/3 | at Sabino* | W | 27 | 8 |
| 10/10 | Coolidge* | W | 45 | 6 |
| 10/17 | at Safford* | W | 48 | 0 |
| 10/31 | Benjamin Franklin | L | 14 | 35 |
| 11/7 | Page+ | W | 42 | 14 |
| 11/14 | Florence+ | W | 51 | 38 |
| 11/22 | Benjamin Franklin+& |
SABINO (1-2)
Head coach: Ryan McBrayer (61-29, ninth year at Sabino and overall)Sabercats compete in the 3A East. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
| Date | Opponent | W/L | SHS | Opp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/22 | at Valley Christian | L | 14 | 18 |
| 8/29 | Gilbert Christian | L | 20 | 28 |
| 9/5 | Dysart | W | 38 | 24 |
| 9/12 | Coolidge* | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/18 | at San Tan Foothills* | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/26 | at Sahuaro | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/3 | Pusch Ridge* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/17 | at Florence* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/24 | at Thatcher* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/31 | Safford* | -- | -- | -- |
SAFFORD (0-3)
Head coach: Ishmael MacNeil (0-3, first year at Safford; 14-20, fourth year overall)Bulldogs compete in the 3A East. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
| Date | Opponent | W/L | Opp | SHS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/22 | at Morenci | L | 20 | 14 |
| 8/29 | Blue Ridge | L | 30 | 14 |
| 9/5 | Seton Catholic | L | 36 | 8 |
| 9/12 | at Winslow | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/18 | at Coolidge* | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/26 | San Tan Foothills* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/3 | at Thatcher* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/17 | Pusch Ridge* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/24 | Florence* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/31 | at Sabino* | -- | -- | -- |
THATCHER (2-1)
Head coach: Daniel Jones (45-18, sixth season at Thatcher and overall.)Eagles compete in the 3A East. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
| Date | Opponent | W/L | THS | Opp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/22 | ALA-Ironwood | W | 41 | 29 |
| 8/28 | at Apache Junction | W | 47 | 0 |
| 9/5 | at Benjamin Franklin | L | 12 | 27 |
| 9/12 | at Florence* | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/26 | Pusch Ridge* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/3 | Safford* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/10 | at San Tan Foothills* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/17 | Payson | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/24 | Sabino* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/31 | at Coolidge* | -- | -- | -- |
2024 SOUTHERN ARIZONA COACHING CHANGES
| School | Class | Former coach | New coach |
| Benson | 2A | Dustin Cluff | Chris Rasmussen |
| Bisbee | 2A | Shawn Holley | Carlos Lopez |
| Canyon del Oro | 4A | Dustin Peace | Scott McKee |
| Catalina | 2A | Greg McKinstry III | Andy Fetsis |
| Catalina Foothills | 4A | Daniel Sainz | Greg McKinstry III |
| Cholla | 4A | Virgil Henderson | Paul Tripp |
| Desert Christian | 1A | (New program) | Jason McKibben |
| Morenci | 3A | Rishard Davis | Frankie Gonzalez |
| Pueblo | 4A | Jake Allen | Sly Lewis |
| Rincon/University | 4A | Khyree Copeland | Johnny Chan |
| Rio Rico | 4A | Jeff Scurran | Carlos Duran |
| Sahuarita | 4A | Jake Price | Jake Allen |
| Salpointe | 6A | Eric Rogers | Pat Ryden |
| Willcox | 2A | Eric Hjalmarson | Jeston Lotts |
2A SAN PEDRO
A look at 2A San Pedro 2024 football schedules including background of new Catalina coach Andy Fetsis, long a successful football and tennis coach at Pusch Ridge. Coached son Christian and PRCA to 2015 3A state title and 2017 championship game: https://t.co/2YFONEKeWC
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) June 11, 2024
BENSON (2-1)
Head coach: Chris Rasmussen (7-6, second year at Benson and overall)Bobcats compete in the 2A South II. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
| Date | Opponent | W/L | Ben | Opp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/22 | at Bisbee | W | 34 | 0 |
| 8/29 | at Phoenix Christian | L | 14 | 49 |
| 9/5 | Tombstone | W | 61 | 14 |
| 9/12 | Tanque Verde | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/19 | Veritas Prep | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/26 | Morenci | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/3 | at Santa Cruz Valley* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/10 | Desert Christian* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/17 | at Willcox* | -- | -- | -- |
BISBEE (1-2)
Head coach: Carlos Lopez (11-4, second year at Bisbee and overall)Pumas compete in the 2A South I. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
| Date | Opponent | W/L | Opp | Bis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/22 | Benson | L | 34 | 0 |
| 8/29 | at Cortez | W | 20 | 26 |
| 9/5 | at Douglas | L | 25 | 0 |
| 9/12 | at Morenci | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/19 | Santa Rita* | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/26 | Chandler Prep | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/3 | at Tanque Verde* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/10 | Tombstone* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/17 | at Palo Verde* | -- | -- | -- |
CATALINA (2-0)
Head coach: Virgil Henderson (2-0, first year at Catalina; 19-44, eighth year overall)Trojans compete in the 2A Independent. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
| Date | Opponent | W/L | Cat | Opp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/22 | at Santa Rita | W | 36 | 6 |
| 9/5 | NFL Yet | W | 24 | 0 |
| 9/12 | at Desert Christian | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/19 | Lincoln Prep | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/26 | at St. John Paul II* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/3 | Palo Verde | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/10 | Coronado* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/17 | Globe | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/24 | at San Carlos* | -- | -- | -- |
PALO VERDE (1-2, 0-1)
Head coach: Jamal Chatman (9-24, fourth year at Palo Verde and overall)Titans compete in the 2A South I. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
| Date | Opponent | W/L | PV | Opp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/22 | Willcox | L | 0 | 49 |
| 8/29 | at ALA-Anthem South | W | 28 | 14 |
| 9/5 | at Tanque Verde* | L | 0 | 69 |
| 9/12 | at Rincon/UHS | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/19 | Coronado | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/26 | Tombstone* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/3 | at Catalina | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/10 | at Santa Rita* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/17 | Bisbee* | -- | -- | -- |
SANTA RITA (0-3)
Head coach: Douglas Smith (0-13, second year at Santa Rita and overall)Eagles are in the 2A South I. Games at 7 p.m.
| Date | Opponent | W/L | SR | Opp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/22 | Catalina | L | 6 | 36 |
| 8/29 | at Miami | L | 0 | 64 |
| 9/5 | Desert Christian | L | 0 | 64 |
| 9/11 | San Pasqual | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/19 | at Bisbee* | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/26 | Tanque Verde* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/3 | at Tombstone* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/10 | Palo Verde* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/17 | at San Carlos | -- | -- | -- |
TANQUE VERDE (11-2)
Head coach: Jeffrey Bollnow (26-9, third year at Tanque Verde and overall)Hawks compete in the 2A South I. *Region games. +Playoffs
&-at Tempe McClintock High School
| Date | Opponent | W/L | TV | Opp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/22 | Phoenix Christian | L | 7 | 47 |
| 8/29 | at Morenci | W | 24 | 16 |
| 9/5 | Palo Verde* | W | 69 | 0 |
| 9/12 | at Benson | L | 21 | 30 |
| 9/18 | at Trivium Prep | W | 38 | 0 |
| 9/26 | at Santa Rita* | W | 59 | 6 |
| 10/3 | Bisbee* | W | 62 | 8 |
| 10/10 | Highland Prep | W | 57 | 0 |
| 10/17 | at Tombstone* | W | 64 | 0 |
| 10/24 | Willcox* | W | 42 | 14 |
| 10/31 | Tonopah Valley+ | W | 43 | 6 |
| 11/7 | at Camp Verde+ | W | 39 | 15 |
| 11/14 | at Veritas Prep+ | W | 28 | 23 |
| 11/22 | vs. St. Johns+& |
TOMBSTONE (0-2)
Head coach: Jerry Rhoades (2-17, third year at Tombstone; 30-45, ninth year overall)Yellow Jackets of the 2A South I have decided to forfeit their season. *Region game.
| Date | Opponent | W/L | THS | Opp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/22 | at Miami | L | 7 | 28 |
| 8/29 | Pima | CCD | -- | -- |
| 9/5 | at Benson | L | 14 | 61 |
| 9/12 | Santa Cruz Valley | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/19 | at Willcox | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/26 | at Palo Verde* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/3 | Santa Rita* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/10 | at Bisbee* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/17 | Tanque Verde* | -- | -- | -- |
WILLCOX (10-2)
Head coach: Jeston Lotts (17-6, second year at Willcox; 78-46, 12th year overall).Cowboys compete in the 2A South II. *Region game. +Playoff games.
| Date | Opponent | W/L | Wil | Opp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/22 | at Palo Verde | W | 49 | 0 |
| 8/29 | at Arizona Lutheran | L | 0 | 19 |
| 9/5 | Morenci | W | 23 | 14 |
| 9/12 | at Pima | W | 7 | 0 |
| 9/19 | Tombstone | W | 49 | 0 |
| 9/26 | Scottsdale Prep | W | 48 | 14 |
| 10/3 | Desert Christian* | W | 58 | 0 |
| 10/10 | at Santa Cruz Valley* | W | 42 | 23 |
| 10/17 | Benson* | W | 26 | 17 |
| 10/24 | at Tanque Verde* | L | 14 | 42 |
| 11/7 | Trivium Prep+ | W | 55 | 6 |
| 11/14 | Benson+ | W | 26 | 6 |
| 11/22 | Scottsdale Christian& |
1A CONFERENCE
Beginning a series of posts looking at the 2024 Southern Arizona high school football schedules that were recently released by the AIA, starting with 1A that includes newcomer Desert Christian (competing as an independent in its first season): https://t.co/FM2J758fZ3
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) June 10, 2024
BABOQUIVARI (0-3, 0-2)
Head coach: Cody Garcia (6-15, third year at Baboquivari and overall)Warriors compete in the 1A South (8-man football). *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
| Date | Opponent | W/L | Bab | Opp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/22 | at Fort Thomas* | L | 0 | 38 |
| 8/29 | St. David* | L | 0 | 59 |
| 9/6 | at Mohave Accelerated | L | 6 | 56 |
| 9/12 | Superior | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/19 | at Valley Union* | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/26 | at Duncan* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/3 | Desert Heights | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/17 | San Manuel |
DESERT CHRISTIAN (2-1)
Head coach: Bob Vance (2-1, first year at Desert Christian; 28-15, fifth year overall)Eagles compete in the 2A South II. Games at 7 p.m.
| Date | Opponent | W/L | DC | Opp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/22 | at ALA-Anthem South | W | 26 | 18 |
| 8/29 | H. Academy Laveen | L | 12 | 24 |
| 9/5 | at Santa Rita | W | 64 | 0 |
| 9/12 | Catalina | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/19 | San Carlos | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/26 | Madison Highland | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/3 | at Willcox* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/10 | at Benson* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/17 | Santa Cruz Valley* |
SAN MANUEL (1-2, 0-1)
Head coach: Ernest Ivy (33-25, seventh year at San Manuel and overall)Miners compete in the 1A East (8-man football). *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
| Date | Opponent | W/L | SM | Opp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/22 | Valley Lutheran | W | 54 | 24 |
| 8/29 | Ray* | L | 26 | 28 |
| 9/5 | St. David | L | 6 | 63 |
| 9/12 | at Desert Heights | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/19 | Hayden* | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/26 | at Cicero Prep* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/3 | at Superior* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/10 | Duncan | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/17 | at Baboquivari | -- | -- | -- |
ST. DAVID (3-0, 2-0)
Head coach: Braden Davis (53-27, ninth year at St. David and overall)Tigers compete in the 1A South (8-man football). *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
| Date | Opponent | W/L | StD | Opp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/22 | Valley Union* | W | 58 | 0 |
| 8/29 | at Baboquivari* | W | 59 | 0 |
| 9/5 | at San Manuel | W | 63 | 6 |
| 9/12 | Duncan* | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/19 | at Salome | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/26 | Superior | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/3 | Hayden | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/10 | at Fort Thomas* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/17 | at Bagdad | -- | -- | -- |
VALLEY UNION (2-1, 1-1)
Head coach: Skyler Hill (13-15, fourth year at Valley Union and overall)Blue Devils compete in the 1A South (8-man football). *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
| Date | Opponent | W/L | VU | Opp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/22 | at St. David* | L | 0 | 58 |
| 8/29 | at Desert Heights | W | 36 | 16 |
| 9/5 | Duncan* | W | 52 | 6 |
| 9/12 | at Ray | -- | -- | -- |
| 9/19 | Baboquivari* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/3 | Fort Thomas* | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/10 | Mayer | -- | -- | -- |
| 10/17 | at Valley Lutheran | -- | -- | -- |
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon. He became an educator in 2016 and is presently a special education teacher at Sunnyside High School in the Sunnyside Unified School District.
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