No. 10 Roughriders welcome No. 23 Roadrunners
By Raymundo Frasquillo
STATEWIDE – The No. 15 Morenci Wildcats (6-4 overall, 5.2989 rating) host the No. 18 Tuba City Warriors (7-3, 0.9144) and the No. 10 Pima Roughriders (6-4, 6.9312) host the No. 23 Holbrook Roadrunners (6-4, minus 0. 0507) on Friday, Oct. 31, both with 7 p.m. starts. The second round has the higher seeds as hosts on Nov. 7, the quarterfinals with the higher seeds as hosts on Nov. 14, the semifinals on Nov. 22, and the final on Nov. 29.
Upper bracket first round pairings have No. 17 Eloy Santa Cruz (5-5, 2.6443) at No. 16 Glendale Prep (7-3, 4.6366), No. 24 Tonopah Valley (4-6, minus 2.1343) at No. 9 Tucson Tanque Verde (8-2, 9.0806), No. 21 Scottsdale Prep (4-5, 0.3591) at No. 12 Parker (7-2, 6.9454), and No. 20 Whiteriver Alchesay (7-3, 0.4518) at No. 13 Chandler Prep (7-3, 5.9088).
The lower bracket pairings have No. 19 Globe (6-4, 0.6746) at No. 14 Benson (6-4, 5.5877), No. 22 Wittmann Mountainside (6-4, 0.3062) at No. 11 Glendale Trivium Prep (7-3, 7.5515), No. 23 Holbrook (6-4, minus 0.0507) at No. 10 Pima (6-4, 8.3872), and No. 18 Tuba City (7-3, 0.9144) at No. 15 Morenci (6-4, 5.2989).
No. 18 TUBA CITY Warriors (0.9144 rating)
The Kalani Simeona-coached Warriors (7-3 overall, 4-0 region) averaged a score of 34-18 (336-181) per game or a 14-point Margin after 10 games. The Coconino County boys defeated New Mexico Gallup (38-8, Aug. 23), 3A Fort Defiance Window Rock (41-22, Sept. 19), Whiteriver Alchesay (24-22, Sept. 19), Sanders Valley (62-0, Sept. 26), Keams Canyon Hopi (55-0, Oct. 10), Tuba City Greyhills (84-0, Oct. 17), and Holbrook (20-18, Oct. 24) plus fell to Pima (0-42, Aug. 29), 3A Ganado (12-13, Sept. 5), and 3A Page (0-56, Sept. 12).
Tuba City’s 10 opponents went a combined 46-49, 27-32 for six 2A foes, 15-12 for three 3A foes, and 4-5 for a New Mexico foe. Three of six 2A opponents qualified for the play-offs: No. 10 Pima (6-4 overall, 8.3872 rating), No. 20 Alchesay (7-3, 0.4518), and No. 23 Holbrook (6-4, minus 0.0507).
The Warriors list a 48-member roster with 20 seniors, 15 juniors, eight sophomores, and five freshmen. Seniors include Marcus Ben (7), Ryyan Benally (10), Dontae Bennett (1), Andrew Bronson (13), Daimin Clitso (32), Jaylon Cooper (66), DinehShyne Dele (0), Shaden Dixon (20), Chesney George (69), Michiah Johnson (6), Jacob Mallaburn (12), Lionel Manuelito (33), Tylan Klain (4), Kollin Posey (3), John Reid (58), Ethan Sellers (71), Zachary Tsinnie (50), Raye Watson (99), Austin Begay Wilson (55), and Bryce Young (81); juniors Julian Ami (42), Ty Becenti (14), Robby Begay (17), Robert Blackhat III (15), Kaysen Carr (19), Darrell Crump (5), Cole Dash (2), Calvin Herbert (78), Riley Mann (62), Teton Martinez (8), Justin Nelson (18), Bradley Tallsalt (52), Chance Tallsalt (9), Angel Whiterock (11), and Timil Yazzie (22); sophomores Kennan Bennett (21), Charles Bright III (16), Brady Piestewa (45), Djimon Salt (76), Kaleb Tracy (60), Jayshawn Watson (70), Tyrone Wesley (61), and Justin Willie (25); and freshmen Troy Blackhat (23), Jodie Edison (47), Takoda Kahanu (80), Koy Nockideneh (30), Logan Yellowhorse (00), .
Seven-game team statistics have the Warriors totaling 1,789 offensive yards, with averages of 5.3 (223-1,186) yards rushing and 13.1 (53-603) yards per completion on 53-72 pass attempts with six interceptions. Tuba City has scored 21 touchdowns on the ground and six through the air. Fumbles lost on offense numbered 16 of 39. The missing game stats include those for Page (Sept. 12), Greyhills (Oct. 17), and Holbrook (Oct. 24).
Defensively, the Warriors have 11 quarterback sacks, 14 interceptions, and seven fumble recoveries.
Tuba City competed in the 5-member 2A North Region with the Keams Canyon Hopi Bruins, the Sanders Valley Pirates, the Tuba City Greyhills Knights, and the Whiteriver Alchesay Falcons.
No. 15 MORENCI Wildcats (5.2989 rating)
The Frankie Gonzalez-coached Wildcats (6-4 overall, 2-2 2A East Region for third of five) averaged a score of 24-15 (242-145) per game or a 9-point margin after 10 regular season games. The Greenlee County boys defeated 3A South Region Safford (20-14, Aug. 22), 2A South 1 Region Bisbee (26-0, Sept. 12), Globe (43-15, Sept. 19), 2A South 2 Region Benson (20-14, Sept. 25), Miami (52-0, Oct. 3), and 2A Metro 1 Region Arete Prep (34-21, Oct. 24) plus fell to 2A South 1 Region Tucson Tanque Verde (16-24, Aug. 29), 2A South 2 Region Willcox (14-23, Sept. 5), Pima (6-13, Oct. 10), and Saint Johns (12-21, Oct. 17).
Six of Morenci’s nine 2A opponents are play-off bound, two in the Top 8 earning a first round bye, No. 4 Saint Johns (9-1 overall, 15.2831) and No. 6 Willcox (8-2, 11.1884), and four in Nos. 9 – 19 with No. 9 Tucson Tanque Verde (8-2, 9.0860), No. 10 Pima (6-4, 8.3872), No. 14 Benson (6-4, 5.5877), and No. 19 Globe (6-4, 0.6746). Morenci’s 10 opponents posted a combined 53-46 record, 51-39 for nine 2A foes and 2-7 for the lone 3A foe.
Morenci lists a 37-member roster: 11 seniors, 5 juniors, 14 sophomores, and 7 freshmen. Seniors include Julian Aragon (13), Zachary Biggs (66), Michael Chavez (50), Dean Chee (65), Isaiah Cook (77), Jaymz Guzzo (4), Derick Lytle (9), Andre McCauley (12), Richard Rodriguez (7), Anthony Rogers (11), and Kiano Torres (3); juniors Joel Baca (28), Mason Clark (17), Camron Dodson (55), Jesse Strickland (70), and Heston Winters (88); sophomores Jacob Bracamonte (21), Brennen Burkhead (5), Jeremya Cruz (8), James Davis (59), Eli Laney (1), David Licano (78), Braxton Merrill (18), Deegan Miller (10), Zane Randle (72), Joseph Rodriguez (23), Hunter Roumell (68), Joshwa Sandoval (52), and Loghan Szymanski (75); and freshmen Kyson Abril (6), Andres Aguilera (51), Daniel Gray (79), Bryden Herrera (74), Ceejay Madrid (60), Damian Paz (40), and Keston Armstrong (2).
Eleven Wildcats totaled 2,729 offensive yards, averaging 6.3 (345-2,169) yards rushing and 12.9 (31-560) yards on 31-69 pass completions with five interceptions. Morenci has scored 23 touchdowns on the ground and four through the air.
Individually, Julien Aragon has averaged 6.2 (158-986) yards per carry, Derick Lytle 6.2 (88(545) yards, Joel Baca 8.8 (22-194) yards, Jeremya Cruz 8.0 (14-112) yards, Aundre McCauley 9.0 (8-72) yards, Deegan Miller 4.3 (15-65) yards, and Guzzo 5.3 (8-42) yards.
Miller has completed 28-62 passes for 492 yards with three interceptions and Jaymz Guzzo 3-9 passes for 68 yards with two interceptions. Guzzo has averaged 16.1 (7-113) yards per catch, Aragon 22.0 (4-88) yards, Keston Armstrong 24.7 (3-74) yards, Lytle 11.2 (6-67) yards, McCauley 27.0 (2-54) yards, Miller 53.0 (1-53) yards, Cruz 12.3 (3-37) yards, Anthony Rogers 27.0 (1-27) yards, and Richard Rodriguez 5.5 (2-11) yards.
Defensively, the Wildcats have 12 quarterback sacks, 11 interceptions, 23 pass deflections, and three fumble recoveries.
Rogers has totaled 57 tackles (28 solo, 29 assisted), Lytle 52 (14 solo, 38 assisted), Dean Chee 41 (15 solo, 26 assisted), Isaiah Cook 39 (12 solo, 27 assisted), Joshwa Sandoval 37 (11 solo, 26 assisted), James Davis 31 (7 solo, 24 assisted), Kiano Torres 30 (10 solo, 20 assisted), Guzzo 30 (11 solo, 19 assisted), McCauley 22 (14 solo, 8 assisted), and Cruz 22 (7 solo, 15 assisted).
Cook has four quarterback sacks, Rogers three, Chee and Davis two each, and Lytle one; Guzzo had five interceptions, Torres three, McCauley two, and Jacob Bracamonte one; McCauley eight pass deflections, Torres five, Cruz three, and Bracamonte, Guzzo, Eli Laney, Lytle, Braxton Merrill, Rogers, and Sandoval one apiece; and Cook, Rogers, and Torres one fumble recovery apiece.
The Wildcats competed in the 5-member 2A East Region with the Globe Tigers, the Miami Vandals, the Pima Roughriders, and the Saint Johns Redskins.
No. 23 HOLBROOK Roadrunners (minus 0. 0507 rating)
Holbrook (6-4 overall, 3-0 2A North 1 Region for first of four) averaged a score per game of 45-14 (408-123) or a 31-point margin after nine games. The Navajo County boys have wins over 3A North Region Winslow (12-0, Aug. 22), 3A North Region Kayenta Monument Valley (24-6, Sept. 5), 3A North Region Fort Defiance Window Rock (42-6, Sept. 12), Pinon (60-6, Sept. 26), Teec Nos Pos Red Mesa (44-0, Oct. 14), and Many Farms (50-8, Oct. 17) plus fell to 2A East Region Saint Johns (16-67, Aug. 29), 2A Metro 2 Region Scottsdale Prep (24-28, Sept. 20), 2A Metro 3 Region Camp Verde (20-55, Oct. 3), and 2A North 2 Region Tuba City (18-20, Oct. 24).
Four of the seven Roadrunners’ 2A opponents are in the state play-offs: No. 4 Saint Johns (9-1 overall, 15.2831 rating), No. 8 Camp Verde (7-3, 9.1713), No. 18 Tuba City (7-3, 0.9144), and No. 21 Scottsdale Prep (5-5, 0.3591). Holbrook’s 10 opponents went a combined 45-52 overall, 40-30 for seven 2A teams and 5-22 for three 3A teams.
The Paul Agramont-coached Roadrunners list a 32-member roster with 15 seniors, eight juniors, six sophomores, and three freshmen. Seniors include Devin Ambrose (52), Joe Begay (70), Troy Francis (5), Ariza Heward (42), Daniel John (2), Gage Jones (66), Darren Justman (1), William Kinds (11), Calvin Lee (51), Matthias Montijo (33), Cody Nockidenah (9), Orlaun Salas (13), Simeon Shaw (3), Keith Thompson (10), and Troyce Yazzie (55); juniors Andon Brimhall (54), Kris James (14), Damien Ohlson (21), Kaleb Peterson (58), Manny Rico (30), Baler Reidhead (20), Adian Stump (18), and Nehemiah Williams (72); sophomores Ordell Laughter (28), Myles Nockidenah (82), Alijah Phillips (88), Andrew Sahmie (62), Jonathan Sample (18), and Joel Sorrel (64); and freshmen Drayden Baldonado (6), Jaken Begay (99), and Riku Sakurai (77).
Holbrook competed in the 4-member 2A North 1 Region with the Many Farms Lobos, the Pinon Eagles, and the Teec Nos Pos Red Mesa Redskins.
No. 10 PIMA Roughriders (6.9312 rating)
The Josh Wilkins-coached Roughriders (6-4 overall, 3-1 2A East Region for second of five) averaged a score per game of 26-11 (264-105) or a 15-point margin after 10 games. The Graham County boys have wins over 2A North 1 Region Tuba City (42-0, Aug. 29), Miami (55-0, Sept. 26), Globe (42-0, Oct. 3), Morenci (13-6, Oct. 10), 2A Metro 2 Region Phoenix Madison Highland (61-0, Oct. 17), and 2A Metro 1 Region Chandler Prep (35-7, Oct. 24) plus fell to 2A Metro 3 Region Scottsdale Christian (6-33, Aug. 21), 3A Mountain Region Eagar Round Valley (0-36, Sept. 5), 2A South 2 Region Willcox (0-7, Sept. 12), and Saint Johns (12-16).
Seven of Pima’s nine 2A opponents ended in the Top 19, with three in the Top 8, No. 2 Scottsdale Christian (9-1 overall, 16.9209 rating), No. 4 Saint Johns (9-1, 15.2831), and No. 6 Willcox (8-2, 11.1884), plus four in Nos. 13-19 with No. 13 Chandler Prep (7-3, 5.9088), No. 15 Morenci (6-4, 5.2989), No. 18 Tuba City (7-3, 0.9144), and No. 19 Globe (6-4, 0.6746). The Roughriders’ 10 opponents went a combined 63-34, with 55-33 for the nine 2A teams and 8-1 for the 3A teams.
The Roughriders list a 36-member roster with eight seniors, 12 juniors, seven sophomores, and nine freshmen. Seniors include Rooster Alder (11), Keegan Corona (22), Brett Flowers (61), Bryan Kelly (72), Garth Lunt (71), Dante McCray (73), Wade Peterson (44), and Charles Richardson (74); juniors Adam Bryce (23), Gilbert Bryce (1), Josh Bryce (55), Rhiley Good (60), Cedric Grimes (2), Jonathan Guerrero (52), Hollen Hoopes (78), Colt Lunt (45), Emmet McBiles (3), Case Mullenaux (66), Joe Palmer (42), and Hayden Wilkins (20); sophomores Roddy Allred (50), JoJo Bryce (62), Kaden Davis (8), Keegan Espinoza (7), Jax Haws (75), Ryett McBiles (10), and Mason Skinner (5); and freshmen Tucker Bryce (58), Jace Cameron (64), MacIan Duncan (16), Wyatt Elms (18), Ethan Lunt (81), Graham McBride (12), Landon Miner (25), Tanner Preston (65), and Brady McWhorter (85).
Pima has totaled 2,374 offensive yards, averaging 5.5 (264-1,442) yards rushing and 10.7 (87-932) yards on 87-164 pass completions with nine interceptions. The Roughriders have scored 24 touchdowns on the ground and nine through the air.
Individually, the Roughriders’ one-two punch of Rooster Alder and Joe Palmer combined for 1,151 yards on 179 carries, with averages of 6.9 (112-774) yards and 5.6 (67-377) yards, respectively. A total of 13 others contributed the other positive offensive yards.
Ryett McBiles completed 65-107 passes for 706 yards with six interceptions, and Cedrick Grimes completed 22-57 passes for 226 yards with three interceptions. Four receivers have contributed over 100 yards, Keegan Corona averaging 9.4 (32-300) yards, Emmett McBiles averaging 14.4 (13-187) yards, Kaden Davis 14.4 (8-115) yards, and Palmer 11.1 (12-133) yards.
Defensively, the Roughriders have 24 quarterback sacks, 15 interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.
Charles Richardson has 8.5 sacks, Palmer 3.5, Adam Bryce three, Colt Lunt two, Keegan Espinoza 1.5, Rooster Alder, Josh Bryce, JoJo Bryce, and Hollen Hoopes one apiece, and Brett Flowers, Case Mullenaux, and Jax Haws half each.
Corona has six interceptions, Rooster Alder three, Emmett McBiles and Gilbert McBride two each, and both Bryce and Mason Skinner one apiece; McBiles and Skinner have both recovered a fumble; and Joe Palmer is the leading stopper with 96 total tackles (24 solo, 72 assisted).
The Roughriders competed in the 5-member 2A East Region with the Globe Tigers, the Morenci Wildcats, the Miami Vandals, and the Saint Johns Redskins.
2A State Rankings
The final seedings for the Top 24 of 51 2A teams, released on Oct. 25, were Phoenix Veritas Prep (10-0, 19.7236) No. 1, Scottsdale Christian (9-1 overall, 16.9209 rating) No. 2, Phoenix Christian (8-2, 15.3333) No. 3, Saint Johns (9-1, 15.2831) No. 4, Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (9-1, 13.2259) No. 5, Willcox (8-2, 11.1884) No. 6, Gilbert San Tan Charter (8-2, 10.2541) No. 7, and Camp Verde (7-3, 9.1713) No. 8.
Tucson Tanque Verde (8-2, 9.0806) was No. 9, Pima (6-4, 8.3872) No. 10, Glendale Trivium Prep (7-3, 7.5515) No. 11, Parker (7-2, 6.9454) No. 12, Chandler Prep (7-3, 5.9088) No. 13, Benson (6-4, 5.5877) No. 14, Morenci (6-4, 5.2989) No. 15, and Glendale Prep (7-3, 4.6366) No. 16.
Eloy Santa Cruz (5-5, 2.6443) was No. 17, Tuba City (7-3, 0.9144) No. 18, Globe (6-4, 0.6746) No. 19, Whiteriver Alchesay (7-3, 0.4518) No. 20, Scottsdale Prep (4-5, 0.3591) No. 21, Wittmann Mountainside (6-4, 0.3062) No. 22, Holbrook (6-4, minus 0.0507) No. 23, and Tonopah Valley (4-6, minus 2.1343) No. 24.
2A Class Crossover Region Pairings
The 2A Class crossover region pairings last week (Oct. 23-24) resulted in wins of 18-9 for the home teams, with the host Metro 4 Region sixth seed Surprise Highland Prep (2-7) versus Metro 5 Region sixth seed California Winterhaven San Pasqual (2-7) not played.
The host Metro 4 Region went 5-0 the Metro 5 Region, the host East Region went 4-1 over the Metro 1 Region, the visiting South 2 Region went 3-2 over the South 1 Region, the host North 2 Region went 3-2 over the North 1 Region, and the host Metro 2 Region tied the Metro 3 Region 3-3.
Metro 4 Region fifth seed Fort Mohave Desert Star (2-7 overall) defeated Metro 5 Region fifth seed Laveen Heritage (4-5) 21-16 on Oct. 23; and Metro 4 Region top seed Phoenix Veritas Prep (9-0) defeated Metro 5 Region top seed Glendale Prep (7-2) 45-13, Metro 4 Region second seed Phoenix Christian (7-2) blanked Metro 5 Region second seed Tonopah Valley (4-5) 35-0, Metro 4 Region third seed Glendale Trivium Prep (6-3) defeated Metro 5 Region third seed Wellton Antelope (4-5) 38-13, Metro 4 Region fourth seed Wittmann Mountainside (5-4) defeated Metro 5 Region fourth seed Avondale Highland Prep West (4-5) 36-14 on Oct. 24.
The Metro 1 Region fifth seed Florence American Leadership – Anthem South (2-7) defeated East Region fifth seed Miami (2-7) 20-6 on Oct. 23; and East Region top seed Saint Johns (8-1) defeated Metro 1 Region Gilbert San Tan Charter (8-1) 28-27 in overtime, East Region second seed Pima (5-4) defeated Metro 1 Region second seed Chandler Prep (5-4) 35-7, East Region third seed Morenci (5-4) defeated Metro 1 Region third seed Glendale Arete Prep (3-6) 34-21, and East Region fourth seed Globe (5-4) defeated Metro 1 Region Chandler Lincoln Prep (3-6) 37-32 on Oct. 24.
Independent Avondale Saint John Paul II Catholic (0-9) defeated South 1 Region fifth seed Santa Rita (0-9) 57-6 on Oct. 23; and South 1 Region top seed Tucson Tanque Verde (7-2) defeated South 2 Region top seed Willcox (8-1) 42-14, South 1 Region fourth seed Tombstone (1-7) defeated South 2 Region fourth seed Desert Christian (3-5)14-13, South 2 Region second seed Benson (5-4) defeated South 1 Region second seed Palo Verde Magnet (6-3) 56-6, and South 2 Region third seed Santa Cruz (4-5) defeated South 1 Region third seed Bisbee (3-6) 49-18 on Oct. 24.
Metro 3 Region fifth seed Phoenix Bourgade Catholic (5-4) defeated Metro 2 Region fifth seed Phoenix NFL Yet (0-8) 48-6 on Oct. 23; and Metro 2 Region top seed Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (8-1) defeated Metro 3 Region top seed Scottsdale Christian (9-0) 35-21, Metro 2 Region second seed Parker (6-2) defeated Metro 3 Region second seed Camp Verde (7-2) 49-41, Metro 2 Region third seed Scottsdale Prep (4-5) defeated Metro 3 Region third seed Phoenix Cortez (3-6) 55-6, and Metro 3 Region fourth seed Fountain Hills (3-6) shutout Metro 2 Region fourth seed Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (1-6) 41-0 on Oct. 24.
North 1 Region third seed Teec Nos Pos Red Mesa (4-5) doubled up on North 2 Region third seed Sanders Valley (4-5) 44-22, North 2 Region fourth seed Keams Canyon Hopi (3-6) defeated North 1 Region fourth seed Many Farms (1-8) 27-20, and Metro 3 Region fifth seed Chino Valley (4-5) shutout North 2 Region fifth seed Tuba City Greyhills (0-8) 77-0 on Oct. 23; and North 2 Region top seed Tuba City (6-3) slipped past North 1 Region top seed Holbrook (6-3) 20-18, North 2 Region second seed Whiteriver Alchesay (6-3) defeated North 1 Region second seed Pinon (6-3) 54-16 on Oct. 24.
Independent San Carlos (5-3) defeated independent Tucson Catalina (3-5) 50-6, and independent Kingman Academy (2-7) blanked independent Scottsdale Coronado (0-8) 46-0 on Oct. 24.
Morenci – 34, Arete Prep – 21
Morenci’s initial possession began 65 yards away, with seven plays featuring four different running backs gaining 60 yards along with a 5-yard penalty. A touchdown was scored with 3:22 elapsed as senior Julien Aragon crossed the goal line on 1st-and-goal from the five. The game’s final six plays were Aragon carries before time expired. He had 986 yards coming into the game and needed 14 more for 1,000. The senior running back gained 12 yards on his first carry, no gain on his second, and five yards on his third to surpass the mark. He netted 64 yards on his final six runs and picked up three first downs before the final buzzer sounded. Aragon kneeled, thanked the Lord for being able to do something he enjoyed doing, and did so safely, without getting hurt.
On the evening, Morenci netted 488 offensive yards, averaging 10.9 (41-448) yards rushing and 10.0 (4-40) yards on 4-10 completions with no interceptions. Four rushing touchdowns were scored. Arete Prep had 266 offensive yards, averaging 3.5 (29-102) yards rushing and 18.2 (9-164) yards on 9-17 completions with two interceptions. The Chargers scored twice with passes.
For the 10-game regular season, the Wildcats totaled 3,217 offensive yards, averaging 6.8 (384-2,617) yards rushing and 17.1 (35-600) yards on 35-79 completions with five interceptions. Thirty-one TDs were scored, 27 rushing and four passing.
Aragon became the first senior to amass over 1,000 rushing yards since Class of 2024 member Michael Casillas accomplished it, averaging 5.7 (306-1,732) yards per carry in the 3A level en route to setting a school career rushing record of 5,828 yards on 776 carries with 81 touchdowns. Casillas also averaged 7.7 (251-1,936) yards with 32 TDs as a junior, 9.6 (192-1,846) yards with 26 TDs as a sophomore, and 11.6 (27-314) yards as a freshman with six TDs in the 2A Class.
The diminutive Clifton resident running back averaged 144.3 (12-1,732) yards during 12 games as a senior, 138.3 (14-1,936) yards during 14 games as a junior, 153.8 yards (12-1,846) per game during 12 games as a sophomore, and 44.9 (7-314) yards during seven games as a freshman.
