Sahuaro athletic director Steve Botkin confirmed that the Cougars opened their 2026 season with a victory over Empire in a game that lasted only three minutes and eight seconds on Friday because of inclement weather.
The game was stopped with 8:52 left in the first quarter and Sahuaro ahead 13-0.
After almost a two-hour delay because of ongoing lightning and rain in the area, Botkin, Empire athletic director James Sye and the coaches mutually agreed to call the game and determine Sahuaro the victor.
If a game is cut short by a severe storm, the AIA rulebook handles it based on how much time has passed:
An Official Game: If the game has reached the start of the third quarter (the second half), it is legally considered a complete game. If the weather forces a cancellation at this point, the current score stands as final, resulting in a game that lasted only 24 minutes of regulation play.
No Contest / Reschedule: If the game is stopped before the second half begins, it is not considered an official game. Coaches and school athletic directors must agree to either resume it the next day, declare it a “no contest,” or have one team accept a forfeit.
Botkin did not want to declare it a “no contest” because of how that would adversely affect the Cougars’ power points.
All possible solutions were discussed (playing Saturday morning, logistics, shortening the game after it resumed Friday night, etc.), but in the end, Botkin, Sye, Sahuaro coach Al Alexander and Empire coach Greg McKinstry II agreed that Empire would forfeit the outcome.
Records are not kept in this regard, but the outcome was likely the quickest in a game that started in state history.
Rain also played havoc with the Peoria Sunrise Mountain-Desert View game at Desert View. The teams had a halftime of only one minute and a running clock ensued in the second half of the 45-0 win for the Jaguars because of time constraints with Sunrise Mountain’s bus returning to Peoria.
MICA MOUNTAIN’S DEFENSE NEVER RESTS
Although it was its first game without defensive coordinator Brett Darling, the architect of Mica Mountain’s stifling units in their consecutive 4A state titles, the Thunderbolts’ defense continued to dominate in the Thunderbolts’ 29-0 win at San Tan Poston Putte on Friday night.
Darling resigned after last season after coaching the last decade at Cienega and Mica Mountain under Pat Nugent and Jay Campos.
Diego Rivas, formerly the cornerbacks coach, is the new defensive coordinator.
Over the last five seasons (from 2022 to now) the Thunderbolts are 24-2 in non-region games including a 10-0 record against such opponents in the postseason.
They have 10 shutout victories over the last three seasons.
The Thunderbolts took a 7-0 lead on Friday night with 2:21 remaining in the second quarter when senior running back Jeremiah Anderson scored on a five-yard touchdown run.
Mica Mountain junior defensive end Jack Andrews came up with a key fourth-down sack of Broncos quarterback Urijah Leon, forcing a turnover on downs and giving Mica Mountain possession at its own 36-yard line in the second quarter.
Mica Mountain extended its lead to 14-0 before halftime when junior quarterback Brenton Baker connected with junior wide receiver/defensive back Eli Palma on a 55-yard touchdown pass. Baker is the son of former Arizona football player Barrett Baker.
Mica Mountain senior quarterback Michael Consavage made the lead 20-0 with a 1-yard touchdown run with 3:39 remaining in the third quarter.
Thunderbolt junior defensive back Emilo Delaluze blocked a Poston Butte punt, sending the ball into the end zone. The Broncos were charged with a safety, increasing the Thunderbolts’ advantage to 22-0 with 8:30 left.
Mica Mountain’s third quarterback used — junior Adam Becker — connected with Palma on a 40-yard touchdown pass, giving the Thunderbolts their 29-0 margin with 7:30 remaining.
Poston Butte’s best opportunity came late in the first quarter when the Broncos reached the Mica Mountain 22. The Thunderbolts’ defense held on fourth-and-13, and the Broncos ultimately came away empty-handed.
ST. DAVID’S 90 POINTS IN WIN OVER BABOQUIVARI NOT A RECORD
St. David’s 90-6 win over visiting Baboquivari on Friday night was the fourth time in program history the Tigers reached at least 90 points.
The program record is 96 points in 2018, when St. David defeated San Pasqual Valley 96-54.
St. David reached 92 points in 92-50 wins over Salome in 1998 and Phoenix Day School for the Deaf in 1997.
No other 1A program has reached at least 90 more than once.
The record is 118 points in 1948 when Litchfield beat Peoria 118-0.
SHORT READS
— Campos, Mountain View’s Matt Johnson and Buena’s Chris Determan are closing in on 150 career victories. Campos is now at 146 after Friday’s win over Poston Butte and Determan stands at 145 after the 26-13 victory over visiting Cienega. Johnson, whose team lost 30-13 at home against Tucson High, is at 145. Scott McKee is at 93 career victories after CDO’s 41-0 win over visiting Phoenix Trevor Browne on Thursday night.
— Santa Rita’s losing streak dating to 2021 is now at 26 games after Friday’s 28-13 loss at home against Miami. The Eagles play at Desert Christian (0-2) on Friday.
— ALA-Sierra Vista is now 2-0 in its first year in the AIA following Friday’s 38-6 win at Catalina. The Guardians will host Phoenix Madison Highlands Prep (0-2) on Friday.
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