Our panel of myself, my brother Andy and Troy Hutchison discuss games from last week and Friday’s final regular season games.
Notes about the games in different classifications:
Class 5A
Four Southern Arizona teams are ranked high enough presently to make the 5A state playoffs after the removal of 5A powers Centennial, Horizon and Higley to the Open Division state playoffs. They are No. 10 Cienega (7-2), No. 11 Buena (7-2), No. 14 Ironwood Ridge (5-4) and No. 19 Mountain View (5-4). Cienega and Buena are in position to host a playoff game in the opening round. Unfortunately for Mountain View, the Mountain Lions actually dropped a spot in the rankings after beating Desert View last week for the 5A Sonoran title. Matt Johnson’s team would be the last team in the 5A state playoffs as a No. 16 seed before its game Friday at home against No. 34 Flowing Wells (2-7). A victory may not help their cause because of the Caballeros’ ranking.
Games to watch:
Cienega at Ironwood Ridge: The Bobcats need the win to strengthen their chance to host a first-round game and the Nighthawks are looking to get back to winning after losing 27-0 at Buena last week. A win could also put Ironwood Ridge close to hosting a first-round game.
Sunnyside at Buena: The Blue Devils, who are 3-6, have literally been in every single game entering the fourth quarter this season. They will not be an easy out for Buena, which must win to strengthen its bid to host a game in the first round of the playoffs. The Colts, with multi-talented quarterback/safety Jovoni Borbon, are destined for their first playoff berth since 2013.
Class 4A
Salpointe (8-0) is presently the No. 2 seed in the Open Division. Scottsdale Saguaro is the only other 4A team in the Open Division at No. 3. The Lancers’ No. 2 ranking is tenuous with them playing low-rated and winless Vista Grande at home Friday. Even if Salpointe routs Vista Grande, which is expected, the Lancers may drop a couple of spots to No. 4 in the Open Division because of the Spartans’ low rating. CDO (8-1) is the No. 3-rated 4A team (behind Salpointe and Saguaro) and would be the top seed in the 4A state playoffs if the season ended before Friday’s games. Sahuaro (7-2) would be the No. 2 seed of the 4A bracket. The Cougars are ranked No. 4 in the 4A. The other Southern Arizona teams that would be among the top 16 seeds presently are No. 6 Walden Grove (8-1) and No. 14 Pueblo (7-2). Three of the four top-seeded teams in the 4A state playoffs would be from Southern Arizona — CDO, Sahuaro and Walden Grove.
Games to watch:
CDO at Casa Grande: The Dorados must take care of business at No. 16 Casa Grande (5-4) to secure the top seed in the 4A state playoffs. Casa Grande has defeated Walden Grove at home but has also lost to Pueblo there. Interesting story angle — the defensive coordinators of each team comprise the father-son relationship of former Arizona great Randy Robbins (Casa Grande) and his son Josh Robbins.
Vista Grande at Salpointe: Bijan Robinson is on the verge of more state records:
Bijan Robinson File: Four more state records up for grabs next Friday
Class 3A
No. 8 Sabino (7-2) is the only 3A team from Southern Arizona that would be in the playoffs if the season ended going into Friday’s games with No. 20 Pusch Ridge (4-5) four spots out.
Game to watch:
Safford at Sabino: The Sabercats host No. 10 Safford for the 3A South title Friday. The winner will have a strong possibility of being a host in the opening round of the state playoffs. Sabino has won six of its last seven games with the only loss a 20-14 overtime game at Class 3A No. 1-ranked Benjamin Franklin on Sept. 27.
Class 2A
No. 4 Santa Cruz Valley (7-2), No. 9 Benson (6-2), No. 10 Bisbee (6-2) and No. 16 Willcox (5-4) are in position to make the playoffs if the season ended going into Friday’s games.
Game to watch:
Willcox at Benson: Willcox has won three consecutive games and is presently the last qualifying team at No. 16. This is likely a do-or-die game for the Cowboys’ playoff hopes Friday. Benson needs the win to strengthen its chance for a home game to open the playoffs next week.
Our week of high school sports coverage:
Frog & Firkin High School Football Report: Week 9 Rankings From Open Division to Class 2A
Rincon/University QB Preston Silvas Awarded APS Digital Print/Tucson Conquistadores Player of Week
Salpointe’s Lathan Ransom earns weekly Ed Doherty recognition
Frog & Firkin Southern Arizona High School Football Report: Scoring, Interception, Sacks Leaders and Coaching Records after Week 9
Frog & Firkin Southern Arizona High School Football Report: Rushing, Passing, Receiving Leaders After Week 9
Tucson Conquistadores High School Football Rewind: Top Southern Arizona Performers from Week 9
Frog & Firkin High School Regional Football Report: Standings, Results, Schedules After Week 9
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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.
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