2026 High School Football

Si Charro! Pigskin Report: Walden Grove overpowers Sahuarita behind one of Noble’s deepest teams in talent

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FINAL SCORE

Walden Grove 33, Sahuarita 6

PHOTO GALLERY BY JOSIAH LOPEZ

RECAP BY SABIAN BERMUDEZ

STORYLINE

Walden Grove opened its season with a sophomore quarterback playing his first varsity game in one of the more intense games the Red Wolves will play this season, against crosstown rival Sahuarita in the Battle for the Copper Cup.

Jace McGee did not flinch in the game at Sahuarita.

He completed 21 of 30 pass attempts for 303 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions.

Making the performance more interesting: McGee will gave way to Salpointe transfer Matthew Avelar in the sixth game of the season, when Walden Grove begins 4A Kino play at Sahuaro on Oct. 2. Avelar, a senior bound to play at Idaho, must sit the first five games per AIA transfer rules.

“I heard a lot of people talking about how we’re in trouble in the first five games because we didn’t have a quarterback,” Walden Grove coach Corey Noble said.

“I think we have a quarterback,” he added, matter-of-factly.

At one point, McGee completed 10 consecutive pass attempts, a stretch that included a 4-yard scoring strike to Jacob Fiehler and a 55-yard bomb to electrifying playmaker Jordan Dobson.

McGee finished completing six of his last eight pass, including a 28-yard touchdown to Dobson, who hauled in eight passes for 188 yards.

“I felt really in rhythm,” McGee said. “The short game was there and the corners started creeping up, so I knew the deep ball was going to be an option.”

McGee, who also connected on a 46-yard pass to Dobson, completed seven passes of at least 15 yards.

“I’m super proud of Jace,” Noble said. “He took this challenge, and at times tonight, he put the team on his back.”

Walden Grove QB Jace McGee passed for more than 300 yards in his first varsity appearance (Josiah Lopez/AllSportsTucson.com)

AS DEEP A TEAM NOBLE’S HAD

The upcoming depth at quarterback, with McGee gaining experience before Avelar takes over, is indicative of the reinforcements Noble has with his team this season.

When asked if this was his deepest team in terms of talent with backups at every position, Noble, in his 10th season as head coach, mentioned, “It’s pretty good. There’s some unproven guys who proved a lot tonight. Like any 4A school, once you start getting past in some positions, (No.) 1, on the depth chart, it starts to get a little scarce.”

“We had guys tonight who weren’t in the plans or expected to play big minutes, and those guys played big minutes and proved a lot,” Noble added.

Noble was referring mostly to his offensive line that by game’s end was without three regulars, including starting right guard AJ Slape, who did not play because of an injury.

Noble and his offensive coaching staff have 10 linemen they can count on in their depth chart — Slape, John Todd, Louie Rodriguez, Issak Gonzalez, Diego Fuentes-Jacobo, Michael Hussey, Evan Barrios, Austin McCallister, Cooper George and Tyler Johnson.

They are all either juniors or seniors.

DOBSON DOMINATES

In addition to his 23.5-yard average per reception, Dobson, a 5-foot-11 and 170-pound senior, had a punt and kickoff return of more than 60 yards called back because of penalties. His speed, elusiveness and strength were difficult for Sahuarita to handle.

“I trust my teammates, we practice every day; I trust my blocks, just waiting and being patient until they open up,” Dobson said. “When I see that gap come, I run my fullest, and I get past those blocks and the rest is history.

Factoring in Walden Grove’s depth, Including on defense, Dobson is playing more at linebacker and safety after competing at cornerback earlier in his career.

He was part of a stifling defense that limited Sahuarita to 218 yards of total offense. The Mustangs’ passing game was 8 of 26 for 104 yards and they rushed for 114 yards on 25 carries.

“He’s electric,” Noble said of Dobson. “Every time he touches the ball, he’s a threat to go all the way. He’s a threat to run you over, make you miss, just plain beat you with angles and raw speed. And, oh by the way, he played every snap on defense tonight.”

NEXT FRIDAY

Walden Grove will host Mesa Eastmark (0-1) on Friday at 7 p.m. Eastmark, which lost 41-28 at Queen Creek Crismon on Friday night, defeated the Red Wolves 16-13 last season at Mesa.

Sahuarita will play at Maricopa Desert Sunrise (0-1) on Friday at 7 p.m. Desert Sunrise lost 34-0 at home against Gilbert Mesquite on Friday.

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