Schedule for Friday, Oct.21

 

Tucson (4-4, 1-0) at Rincon/UHS (3-5, 0-1)

Tucson has already clinched the Tucson-Sub Region due to tiebreakers. Still a huge game for Rincon/UHS. Already three more wins than the last three years combined.

 

Sahuaro (2-6, 1-1) at Sunnyside (3-5, 1-1) NON REGION

Sunnyside can still break even but the Cougars have won last three meetings.

 

Marana (6-2, 3-0) at Desert View (7-1, 2-0)

The Sonoran Region title is on the line. Both teams are hoping to improve their playoff position. The Jaguars haven’t visited the postseason since 1996 and the Tigers since 2007. Should be a packed house.

 

Walden Grove (3-5, 1-2) at Flowing Wells (4-4, 1-2) NON REGION

The Caballeros are still flirting with a 5A Conference at-large berth to the state playoffs.

 

Cholla (1-7, 0-2) at Poston Butte (3-5, 0-2)

Poston Butte started out 3-0 but has lost five straight. Cholla just missed the playoffs last year.

 

Cienega (8-0, 2-0) at Ironwood Ridge (7-1, 2-0)

This game could decide the Southern Region championship.  The Bobcats missed the playoffs last year and the Nighthawks survived a scare at Tucson last week. Both squads hoping for a super ranking (Top 4).

 

Buena (0-8, 0-3) at Mountain View (6-2, 1-1)

Another disappointing year for the Colts while the Mountain Lions are looking to get back to the playoffs. Mountain View still has a shot at the Southern Region title (Ironwood Ridge would have to lose two games) and a home playoff game.

 

Catalina Foothills (7-1, 2-0) at Salpointe (6-2, 2-0)

Huge game, even if the Kino Region will still be up for grabs no matter which team wins. Once again, Jeff Scurran took over an 0-10 squad and turned them into a state power. The Falcons have gone 31-11 since 2013. The Lancers have destroyed the Falcons in this series (4-0) with a total score of 141-19. Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene has been the main reason for the dominance in the series. He missed the playoffs last year for the first time since 2001 (2009 was a probation year).  The 2001 squad still finished 8-2 on the year.

 

Nogales (3-5, 0-3) at Canyon del Oro (5-3, 2-0)

The Dorados are looking to secure an at-large berth to the state playoffs with a win here. Big game at Salpointe next week.

 

Rio Rico (4-4, 1-1) at Amphitheater (6-2, 2-0)

The Panthers are slowing climbing into the top 16 and, hopefully, an at-large berth to the 4A playoffs. Rio Rico needs this win to stay alive. Amphitheater went 0-10 last year but are now on the brink of making the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

 

Palo Verde (2-7, 0-3) at Pueblo (5-3, 2-0)

Simply, Pueblo has to win out to make the playoffs. The Warriors need to stay focused. Their game at Amphi next week might be all-or-nothing for both teams.

 

Sabino (7-1, 5-0) at Douglas (4-4, 1-2) NON REGION

The Sabercats have clinched the 3A South Region title due to tiebreakers. This non-region match still might be enough to keep Sabino in the top four in the rankings.

 

Catalina (0-8, 0-4) at Pusch Ridge (5-4, 3-1)

Pusch Ridge needs to win out to stay in the top eight to host a first-round playoff game.

 

Empire (3-5, 3-1) at Tanque Verde (3-6, 2-3)

The Ravens are coming off the biggest win in school history (77-6 over Santa Rita).

 

Santa Rita (1-7, 1-3) at Sahuarita (2-6, 1-3)

Santa Rita is 4-2 against Sahuarita but the Mustangs have won the last two meetings.

 

Globe (4-4, 0-3) at Safford (4-4, 1-2)

Safford is still battling for an at-large berth to the 3A playoffs with an outside chance at the Central Region title.

 

San Carlos (0-8, 0-5) at Thatcher (6-2, 3-1)

Thatcher lost a big game to Round Valley last week. Thatcher hasn’t had a losing record since 2009.

 

Santa Cruz (7-0, 3-0) at Benson (7-1, 3-0)

This is for the 2A South Region championship. Both teams are ranked in the top 5. The Dust Devils last wet undefeated in 1990. The first meeting between the two since 1998.

 

Willcox (2-6, 0-3) at Tombstone (4-4, 1-2)

Tombstone still hoping for an at-large playoff berth. With 250 wins, Tombstone head coach Mike Hayhurst is one of Arizona’s best.

 

San Manuel (1-8, 1-3) at Bisbee (3-5, 1-2)

Bisbee has an outside shot at playoffs.