Bulldogs host Winslow for homecoming ‘26
By Raymundo Frasquillo
WILLCOX – The unbeaten 2A South 2 Region Willcox Cowboys (3-0) host the 2A East Region Pima Roughriders (1-2) on Friday, Sept. 11. Kickoff is 7 p.m. in Cowboys Stadium.
Morenci (1-2) also visits Cochise County on Sept. 11, meeting Bisbee (0-3) in Warren Ball Park for a 7 p.m. start. The Wildcats blanked the Pumas 26-0 in Lawson Stadium last season.
Safford (2-1, 0-0) welcomes the 3A North Region Winslow Bulldogs for homecoming.
The Bulldogs have wins over Morenci (44-0, Aug. 20) and Lakeside Blue Ridge (21-0, Aug. 28) along with a loss to Chandler Seton Catholic Prep (6-22, Sept. 4), while Winslow (2-1, 0-0) has wins over Holbrook (40-18, Aug. 22) and Sanders Valley (48-7), as well as a loss to Buckeye Odyssey Institute (24-34).
Safford prevailed over the Bulldogs (27-7, Sept. 12) in Winslow last season.
2A Morenci Wildcats (1-2)
Morenci (1-2 overall, 0-0 region) has a seeding win over Tucson Tanque Verde (14-7, Aug. 28) and losses to Safford (0-44, Aug. 20) and Willcox (12-43, Sept. 4).
The Wildcats visit the 2A South 1 Region Bisbee Pumas (Sept. 11), host the Globe Tigers (Sept. 18) and the 2A South 2 Region Benson Bobcats (Sept. 25), visit the Miami Vandals (Oct. 2), and host the Pima Roughriders (Oct. 9) and the Saint Johns Redskins (Oct. 16).
There are 44 Wildcats on the roster, including four seniors, 13 juniors, 10 sophomores, and 17 freshmen. The seniors are Joel Baca (28), Mason Clark (17), Camron Dodson (55), and Hector Vasquez (22); juniors Jacob Bracamonte (3), Brennen Burkhead (1), Jeremya Cruz (8), James Davis V (59), Luz Hernandez (0), David Licano (78), Zane McArdle (72), Braxton Merrill (10), Deegan Miller (12), Joseph Rodriguez (23), Joshwa Sandoval (9), Loghan Syzmanski (75), and Nathaniel Tedla (40); sophomores Kyson Abril (4), Andres Aguilera (51), Enrique Bencomo (66), Konner Bigman (60), Daniel Gray (74), Bryden Herrera (77), Leo Hernandez (53), Ceejay Madrid (50), Damian Paz (11), and Santi Sanchez (65); and freshmen E.J. Alvarez (24), Samuel Alvarez (7), Malachi Armijo (56), Gunner Barron (5), Brody Beebe (20), Noah Biggs (70), Kalib Estrada (79), Alex DeLa Torre (44), Cayden Maldonado (52), Brayden Mason (2), Adam Moreno (13), Brody Rogers (18), Ruel Rogers IV (6), Owen Steinberg (68), Josiah Vidales (21), Jeremiah Wesley (80), and Marcus Wile (58).
Morenci is competing in the 5-team 2A East Region with the Globe Tigers, the Miami Vandals, the Pima Roughriders, and the Saint Johns Redskins.
The Wildcats are 11-14 overall under third-year (2024-26) Morenci head coach Frankie Gonzalez.
2A Pima Roughriders (1-2)
Pima (1-2 overall, 0-0 region) has a seeding win over Tombstone (36-12, Aug. 28) along with losses to Scottsdale Christian (7-32, Aug. 21) and Eagar Round Valley (0-56, Sept. 4).
The Roughriders visit the 2A South 2 Region Willcox Cowboys (Sept. 11), and Saint Johns Redskins (Sept. 18), host the Miami Vandals (Sept. 25) and the Globe Tigers (Oct. 2), visit the Morenci Wildcats (Oct. 9), and host the 2A Metro 2 Region Sierra Vista American Leadership Guardians (Oct. 16).
There are 36 Roughriders on the roster, including 11 seniors, nine juniors, nine sophomores, and seven freshmen. The seniors Adam Bryce (23), Gilbert Bryce (1), Josh Bryce (55), Cedrick Grimes (2), Jonathan Guerrero (52), Hollen Hoopes (77), Colt Lunt (51), Emmet McBiles (3), Case Mullenaux (72), Joe Palmer (42), and Haydn Wilkins (20); juniors Roddy Allred (32), JoJo Bryce (62), Kaiden Davis (8), Jaxon Donham (56), Keegan Espinoza (7), Jax Haws (75), Ryker Kartchner (74), Ryett McBiles (10), and Mason Skinner (5); sophomores Tucker Bryce (78), Jace Cameron (73), Maclan Duncan (16), Reuben Gutierrez (65), Ethan Lunt (50), Graham McBride (12), Brady McWhorter (88), Landon Miner (18), and Tanner Preston (66); and freshmen Heston Alder (11), Jack Bryce (71), Leo Bryce (22), Cason Elias (61), Caiden McEuen (44), Miles Taylor (58), and Caycen Walker (60).
Pima is competing in the 5-team 2A East Region with the Globe Tigers, the Miami Vandals, the Morenci Wildcats, and the Saint Johns Redskins.
The Roughriders are 34-9 overall under fifth-year (2022-26) head coach Josh Wilkins.
2A Willcox Cowboys (3-0)
Willcox (3-0 overall, 0-0 region) has seeding wins over Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (56-0, Aug. 21), Arizona Lutheran (34-14, Aug. 28), and Morenci (43-12, Sept. 4).
The Cowboys host the 2A East Region Pima Roughriders (Sept. 11), visit the 2A South Region 1 Tombstone Yellow Jackets (Sept. 18), the 2A Metro 2 Region Scottsdale Prep Spartans (Sept. 25), and the Tucson Desert Christian Eagles (Oct. 2), host the Eloy Santa Cruz Dust Devils (Oct. 9), and visit the Benson Bobcats (Oct. 16).
There are 24 Cowboys on the roster, including seven seniors, 12 juniors, four sophomores, and a freshman. The seniors are Alan Allred (50), Casey Cobeen (9), Caleb Cooke (6), Da’Marion Jackson (11), Anthony Morales (7), Eli Nelson (2), and Rhett Rogers (10); juniors Wyatt Cooke (56), Jacob Green (52), Robert Hill Jr. (5), Tyler Larson (73), Nathan Moore (12), Omar Moreno (20), Christian Nolan (44), Steele Romney (22), Ruger Todd (77), Asher Ward (21), Carsen Warner (4), and Carl Wyatt (72); sophomores Aden Berger (66), Daniel Burkhead (19), Brenden Douglas (64), and Zander Klump (13); and freshman Levi McWilliams (67).
Willcox is competing in the 4-team 2A South 2 Region with the Benson Bobcats, the Eloy Santa Cruz Dust Devils, and the Tucson Desert Christian Eagles.
The Cowboys are 3-0 overall under first-year Willcox head coach Steven Ward.
2A East Region
Region standings as of Aug. 29 were Globe (2-2 overall, 1-0 region), Saint Johns (2-1, 0-0), Pima (1-2, 0-0), Morenci (1-2, 0-0), and Miami (1-3, 0-1).
A lone region contest has been played to date, with Globe over Miami (48-0, Sept. 10).
This week, Saint Johns (2-1) hosts 3A Mountain Region Round Valley (3-0), Pima (1-2) visits the 2A South 2 Region Willcox Cowboys (3-0), and Morenci (1-2) visits 2A South 1 Region Bisbee (0-3),
2A South 2 Region
Region standings as of Sept. 10 were Eloy Santa Cruz (3-0, 0-0), Willcox (3-0, 0-0), Benson (3-0, 0-0), and Tucson Desert Christian (0-4, 0-0).
This week, Willcox (3-0) hosts 2A East Region Pima (1-2), Santa Cruz (3-0) hosts 2A East Region Tombstone (1-2); Benson (3-0) visits 2A South 1 Region Tanque Verde (1-2); and Desert Christian (0-3) hosts 2A Independent Tucson Catalina (1-2).
Willcox – 43, Morenci – 12
Neither team generated much offense in the first three possessions. Willcox needed 197 yards and lost five while punting twice on 4th-and-7 and 4th-and-8, and fumbling on 3rd-and 14.
Meanwhile, Morenci needed 157 and lost two. The Wildcats punted on 4th-and-10 and 4th-and-9, and turned the ball over on downs following an incomplete 4th-and-13 pass.
The Cowboys still couldn’t gain a first down on their fourth possession, punting on 4th-and-6.
The other side of the ball was no different. The Wildcats threw an incomplete pass on 3rd-and-10 from the 20, but the ensuing fourth down saw the snap sail out of the end zone for a safety.
Willcox covered 45 yards in five plays, crossing the goal line from 14 yards out. The conversion kick split the uprights and the Cowboys never relinquished the lead thereafter.
Morenci got within three, returning the ensuing kickoff 79 yards, but no closer. The Wildcats followed with six punts, on 4th-and-3, on 4th-and-5, on 4th-and-11, on 4th-and-10, on 4th-and-14, and on 4th-and-15, and then covered 38 yards in six plays to trail by the final score.
“We have to find a way to move the ball,” Morenci head coach Frankie Gonzalez said.
Willcox scored on five of its next seven possessions, twice fumbling on 2nd-and-10 and on 3rd-and-7.
For the evening, the Cowboys averaged 6.7 (37-247) rushing yards and 15.3 (3-46) yards on3-8 pass completions. The scoring was on six touchdowns, 5-6 conversion kicks, and a safety.
3A Safford Bulldogs (2-1)
Safford (2-1 overall, 0-0 region) has seeding wins over Morenci (44-0, Aug. 20) and Lakeside Blue Ridge (21-0, Aug. 28) along with a loss to Chandler Seton Catholic Prep (6-22, Sept. 4).
The Bulldogs host the 3A North Region Winslow Bulldogs (Sept. 11) and Coolidge Bears (Sept. 18), visit the San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills Sabercats (Sept. 25), host the Thatcher Eagles (Oct. 1), visit the Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian Lions (Oct. 16) and the Florence Gophers (Oct. 23), and host the Tucson Sabino Sabercats (Oct. 29).
There are 34 Bulldogs on the roster, including nine seniors, 12 juniors, 11 sophomores, and two freshmen. The seniors are Boston Arbizo (55), Andrew Baker (26), Aaron Barnes (4), Mario Chavez (50), Mateo Chavez (5), Jacob Gomez (56), Lamarr Ellis (2), Dane Jacobson (0), and Aries Peru (70); juniors Cooper Canter (30), Emilio Esquivel (64), Chris Garcia (77), Imani Garcia (12), Sam Harmon (10), Eric Legarda (54), Steven Lemley (65), Ryett Lopez (6), Tristen Ogas (73), Anthony Orellana (58), Juan Ramirez (7), and Parker Whisman (1); sophomores Juanito Blancarte (20), Tyler Brogan (9), Matthew Contreras (75), Gunnar Crocket (40), Kyler Decker (21), Diego Gonzalez (23), Joe Maldonado (60), Drake Miller (11), Ryder Rios (8), Jacob Ruiz Jr. (3), and Dale Vargas Jr. (13); and freshmen Noah Jurado (33) and Paxton Merrick (44).
The Bulldogs are competing in the 7-team 3A East Region with the Coolidge Bears, the Florence Gophers, the San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills Sabercats, the Thatcher Eagles, and Tucson schools the Pusch Ridge Christian Lions and the Sabino Sabercats.
Safford is 4-9 overall under second-year (2025-26) head coach Ismael MacNeil.
3A Thatcher Eagles (3-1)
The Daniel Jones-coached Eagles (3-1 overall, 1-0 region) have wins over Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (33-6, Aug. 20), Apache Junction (45-0, Aug. 28), and Florence (49-14, Sept. 10), along with a loss to Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (0-38, Sept. 4).
Thatcher is 6-0 overall, 4-0 at home, 3-0 in the region, and averaged a 41-17 (248-100) score per game, or a 24-point margin, over Florence under Jones. The wins are 49-14 (Sept. 10, 2026) at EAC, 21-18 (Sept. 12, 2025) in Florence, 38-9 (Nov. 13, 2024) at EAC, 35-14 (Nov. 23, 2023) at EAC, 56-7 (Sept. 3, 2021) in Florence, and 49-38 (Oct. 30, 2020) at EAC.
The Eagles visit the Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian Lions (Sept. 25) and the Safford Bulldogs (Oct. 1), host the San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills Sabercats (Oct. 8), visit the 3A Mountain Region Payson Longhorns (Oct. 16) and the Tucson Sabino Sabercats (Oct. 23), and host the Coolidge Bears (Oct. 30).
There are 45 Eagles on the roster, including 13 seniors, 14 juniors, 17 sophomores, and one freshman. The seniors are Vincent Bejarano (52), Hunter Burkett (13), Hudson Conrad (1), Teagan Damron (30), Kaesen Estes (67), Ethan Hayes (0), Brock Innes (65), Ryzer Jacques (9), Josh Jones (24), Grady Lehmann (55), Branden Rios (73), Brig Romney (5), and Tufden Taylor (10); juniors Holston Conrad (58), Gabriel Dixson (28), Waldo Gutierrez III (34), Caleb Hoisington (7), Marco Martinez (14), Jackson Mocaby (78), Clancy Mullenaux (54), Joshua Nicholas (77), Jacob Ortiz (4), Matthew Ortiz (22), Ryker Romero (2), Kase Palmer (12), Jax Shupe (6), and Ritter Smouse (8); sophomores Rafe Allred (32), Dax Carter (16), Miles Curley (56), Colt Daley (3), Zayden Gonzales (21), Zarek Hales (81), Aiden Labrum (15), Brycen Murphy (20), Marcus Navarrete (57/75), Brayden Nelson (99), Kayson Richins (18), Bryce Riney (31), Hoyt Romero (60), Jacob Scott (23), Spencer Smith (50), Isaac Udall (27), and Jayleon Way (11); and freshman Willie Dunklin (88).
The Eagles are competing in the 7-team 3A East Region with the Coolidge Bears, the Florence Gophers, the Safford Bulldogs, the San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills Sabercats, and Tucson schools the Pusch Ridge Christian Lions and the Sabino Sabercats.
Thatcher is 54-20 overall under seventh-year (2020-26) head coach Daniel Jones.
3A East Region
Region standings as of Sept. 10 were Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (3-1 overall, 1-0 region), Thatcher (3-1, 0-0), Tucson Sabino (1-2, 0-0), Coolidge (2-1, 0-0), Safford (2-1, 0-0), Florence (0-4, 0-1), and San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills (0-4, 0-1). Region pairings to date include Pusch Ridge over San Tan Foothills (48-6, Aug. 22) and Thatcher over Florence (49-14, Sept. 10).
