FOOTBALL: Southern Arizona Preview

September 1, 2015 by Andy Morales, AZPreps365


DIVISION II

 

Section I

Sunnyside (1-0)

Tucson (1-0)

Sahuaro (1-1)

Salpointe Catholic (1-1)

Buena (0-1)

Cienega (0-1)

 

Sunnyside defeated Glendale Cactus 27-21 in double overtime which put the Blue Devils in a great spot to go 2-0 if they can get past Avondale Westview (0-1) next week. Then it's on with a home game against Mountain View (1-0) the following week. They just have to tell themselves, "One game at a time."

Tucson defeated Apache Junction 28-20 and the Badgers will host Canyon del Oro (0-1) next week. CDO lost to Gilbert 21-16 in a game where the Dorados couldn't find a way to win at the end. An interception in the endzone and a late touchdown gave Gilbert the win. The Badger/Dorados game could be a wild one.

Sahuaro lost to D-III Sabino 26-7 one week after holding on to defeat D-IV Sahuarita (0-2). The Cougars will benefit from having a bye next Friday but CDO comes calling on September 11. The power points don't come out till September 29 so there is still time to get things done.

Salpointe came on late to defeat Sahuarita 35-26. While a win-is-a-win, the Lancers avoided a power-point disaster. The Mustangs threw for over 250 yards against Salpointe. Anthem Boulder Creek (0-1) comes calling next week. My bet is Dennis Bene will have his passing defense back on track.

Buena got toasted by Nogales 53-7 at home. The Colts have a chance to get even when they travel to play Peoria (0-1) next week. Peoria lost their first game big also, 33-3 to Phoenix Sunnyslope.

Cienega lost to Chandler Basha 42-23. The Bobcats will host Catalina Foothills (1-1) next week. The Falcons have are moving in the right direction after a big loss to start their season off. This game, along with the CDO/Tucson game, could get interesting.

 

Section III

Mountain View (1-0)

Queen Creek (1-1)

Ironwood Ridge (0-1)

Canyon Del Oro (0-1)

Poston Butte (0-2)

 

Mountain View destroyed D-III Avondale La Joya on the road 51-6. The win meant Mountain View is out to get the job done rather than let down against a lower-division opponent. They will take on D-I Scottsdale Horizon (0-1) next week before traveling to play Sunnyside. Watch out.

Ironwood Ridge had a bye week to prepare for Mesa Westwood (0-1) this Friday. Both teams are hungry for their first win after huge losses but the Nighthawks have Salpointe, Tucson, Sahuaro and CDO coming up.  This is why you play the big guys.

Canyon del Oro. If the Dorados get past Tucson then they have a shot at finding themselves in a great position when they face district rival Ironwood Ridge in October. 9See Tucson above).

 

DIVISION III

 

Section VI

Desert View (2-0)

Nogales (2-0)

Sabino (2-0)

Marana (1-0)

Safford (1-1)

Catalina Foothills (1-1)

Rincon/University (0-2)

 

The Desert View Jaguars have outscored opponents 93-21 and looking to build on that margin when the Jaguars host Santa Rita (0-1) next week. It will be the first home game for Desert View. The place should be packed.

Nogales is averaging 35 points a game but the Apaches will face a tough test when they host D-IV Sahuarita (0-2) next week. Don't let Sahuarita's record fool you. The Mustangs are the best 0-2 team in the state, taking D-II powers Sahuaro and Salpointe to the final minutes in both losses.

The Sabino Sabercats are the top Cats on the eastside. They took out the Sahuaro Cougars in a heated rivalry game and they will travel to Buckeye Verrado (1-0) next week. That's a 3-hour drive with one third of it just getting across town. A 3-0 start would help set up some dramatic sectional games in a few weeks.

Marana had the week off and the Tigers will travel to Pueblo (0-1) this week. This will be a good game for both teams. Can the Tiger's build on their opening win or can the Warriors recover from a game they almost had?

Safford won their rivalry game against Thatcher to draw even. The Bulldogs have a week off.

Catalina Foothills outlasted Pueblo at home and the Falcons will be rewarded with a trip to Vail to play Cienega (0-1). The Bobcats are recovering from a big loss and should be ready to take on the Falcons. If there was ever a "must game" this early in season, this would be it for both teams. A loss here means both will have to do really well in sectional play to make the playoffs.

Rincon/UHS takes on Palo Verde (0-2) at home this Friday. The two teams have combined for 21 points and have given up 217. One team will win. This just might be one of the best games of the week.

 

DIVISION IV

 

Section II

Catalina (0-1)

Douglas (0-1)

Pueblo (0-1)

Thatcher (0-1)

Empire (0-1)

Santa Rita (0-1)

Palo Verde (0-2)

           

Catalina ran into a charging Desert View (2-0) squad Friday but things might get a bit more even with a trip to Cholla (1-0) this week. Cholla had their way with Rincon/UHS on Friday but this should be a better match for both teams.

Douglas fell to Bisbee 46-19 and things will not get easier when the Bulldogs host Flowing Wells this week. Can they keep Dionte Flores under 200 yards?

Pueblo was a few extra points and one break away from beating Catalina Foothills on Friday but the Warriors can put all of that behind them when Marana (1-0) comes visiting this week.

Thatcher lost their rivalry game against Safford but the Eagles need to move on because a trip to semi-rival Morenci (1-0) is next.

Empire dropped an overtime thriller to Walden Grove (1-0) and the Ravens will be tested again when they visit the powerful Benson (1-0) squad this week.

Santa Rita travels to Desert View this week. This one could get out of hand early and expect the stands to be packed with Jaguar fans.

Palo Verde has been outscored 7-94 in their two losses. The Titans look to get some relief when they travel to Rincon/UHS this week.

 

Section VI

Flowing Wells (2-0)

Walden Grove (1-0)

Rio Rico (1-1)

Cholla (1-0)

Pusch Ridge (0-1)

Sahuarita (0-2)

Amphitheater (0-2)

 

Flowing Wells has been here before. The Caballeros need to stay healthy against Douglas to be ready for Pueblo.

Walden Grove got that overtime win and the Red Wolves will host Lakeside Blue Ridge (1-0) this week. Blue Ridge defeated St. John's 8-6.

Rio Rico has won big and lost big. The Hawks will host Tombstone (0-0) this week.

Cholla looks to improve to 2-0 on the year when they host Catalina. The Chargers could be 3-0 when they face Sahuarita.

Pusch Ridge has the misfortune of playing both Benson and Bisbee (1-0) to start the season off. At least the Bisbee game will be at home.

Sahuarita is probably the best 0-2 team in the state if not the west. The Mustangs took two D-II teams the wire and will now face D-III power Nogales (2-0) at Nogales. You know you are good when upper-division teams celebrate when they beat you.

Amphitheater looks to get some relief when the Panthers travel to Casa Grande in two weeks. The week off will help the Panthers get back on track.

 

DIVISION V

 

Section II

Benson (1-0)

Bisbee (1-0)

Tanque Verde (1-1)

San Manuel (0-0)

Tombstone (0-0)

Willcox (0-2)

 

Benson picked up a great win against Pusch Ridge at home and the Bobcats get to stay home again to take on Empire (0-1) this week. A 2-0 start will get more state-wide notice.

Bisbee easily dispatched Douglas and the Pumas are traveling to Oro Valley to take on Pusch Ridge (0-1). Bisbee and Benson have the same story.

Tanque Verde is a couple of plays away from being 2-0. The Hawks will travel to Queen Creek to play Benjamin Franklin (1-1).

San Manuel opens up their season against Miami (1-0).

Tombstone is in also week one of their schedule and the Yellow Jackets will travel to Rio Rico (1-1).

Willcox is struggling but the Cowboys get their first home game this week against Globe (0-1).

 

Section VIII

Santa Cruz (2-0)

 

Santa Cruz is the only Southern Arizona team in Section VIII and the Dust Devils have outscored their opponents 108-7. They will play their first home game of the year when Coolidge (1-0) comes to town.

 

DIVISION VI

 

St. David (2-0)

Valley Union (1-0)

Duncan (1-0)

Ajo (1-0)

 

St. David should go 3-0 with a trip to Ray (0-2) this week.

Valley Union will have a good one this week when they host Hayden (1-0) this week.

Duncan will travel to Superior (1-0). Both had big wins last week.

Ajo hopes to go 2-0 after they host the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf (0-2).