Roughriders shut out Guardians on Thursday
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – The Frankie Gonzalez-coached No. 18 Morenci (4-4 seeding, 36.0534 rating) hosts No. 8 Saint Johns (7-1, 50.1314) on Friday, Oct. 16. The region contest has a 7 p.m. start.
Last season, Morenci succumbed by nine points (12-21) to the Redskins in Saint Johns under the current third-year (2024-26) head coach. The average score per game is 14-24 (194-18), or a 10-point deficit, since 1992.
This week for 2A East Region members, No. 25 Globe (3-5, 30.7262) visits unranked 2A Independent Tucson Catalina (3-5, unrated), and No. 40 Miami (2-7, 6.4704) hosts No. 3 and 2A Metro 1 Region Gilbert San Tan Charter (7-0, 64.6768). Pima defeated Sierra Vista American Leadership (63-0, Oct. 15).
The only pairing this week for 2A South 2 Region members is No. 2 Willcox (8-0, 65.6737) visiting No. 7 Benson (7-1, 54.3620).
Sixth-ranked Santa Cruz (7-2, 54.6429) received a forfeit from No. 39 Desert Christian (2-7, 6.5410) on Oct. 16.
Recent Willcox vs. Benson series
In 2025, Benson entered Cowboys Stadium with 4,093 total offensive yards during 12 games, averaging 14.7 (178-2,617) yards on 178-277 pass completions with 13 interceptions and 6.0 (247-1,476) yards rushing. The touchdowns totaled 53, 33 passing and 20 rushing.
Willcox had gained 3,901 offensive yards during 11 games, averaging 20.0 (46-921) yards on 46-97 passes with eight interceptions and 8.7 (342-2,980) yards rushing. Touchdowns scored totaled 42, seven passing and 35 rushing. The Cowboys had 18 quarterback sacks, 14 interceptions, and seven fumble recoveries.
The Bobcats left with 237 offensive yards, averaging 13.2 (13-171) yards on 13-16 passes with an interception and 3.1 (21-66) yards rushing. A lone touchdown was scored.
The Cowboys finished with 309 yards, averaging 19.0 (2-38) yards on 2-3 passes with no interceptions and 6.8 (40-271) yards rushing.
Last season, Willcox led 20-0 through three quarters and junior Kaleb Cooke crossed the goal line from a yard out on 3rd-and-goal with 2:36 left in the fourth quarter. The conversion attempt was no good, but it gave the Cowboys a 26-0 advantage.
Although Benson senior Dawson Judd was sacked 11 times, he managed to connect with junior Jason Santo on 4th-and-25 to score as 15.8 seconds remained on the clock. The conversion pass was ruled incomplete.
Willcox sophomore quarterback Robert Hill Jr. wound down the clock by dropping to a knee. The final score: Home – 26, Guest – 6.
The Class of 2026 Willcox members went 5-0 versus Benson during their 4-year career (2022-25), with two wins as seniors. The Cowboys prevailed 26-6 (Nov. 14, 2025), 26-17 (Oct. 17, 2025), 39-21 (Oct. 25, 2024), 35-0 (Oct. 20, 2023), and 56-25 (Sept. 2, 2022) with an average score per game of 36-14 (182-69) or a 22-point margin and a shutout for five games.
Benson had 10 consecutive wins from 2012-2021 and seven Bobcat senior classes can make the same boast of not losing to rival Willcox during four years, from 2012-15, 2013-16, 2014-17, 2015-2018, 2016-19, 2017-20, and 2018-21.
The wins were 22-0 (Aug. 31, 2012), 41-21 (Oct. 25, 2013), 61-6 (Oct. 24, 2014), 68-0 (Oct. 2, 2015), 52-0 (Oct. 28, 2016), 43-22 (Oct. 27, 2017), 21-12 (Oct. 26, 2018), 56-12 (Nov. 1, 2019), 42-0 (Nov. 13, 2020), and 35-0 (Oct. 29, 2021) with an average score per game of 44-7 (441-73) or a 37-point margin and five shutouts for 10 games.
No. 8 Saint Johns (6-2 seeding, 50.1314 rating)
Saint Johns (6-2 overall, 3-0 region) is averaging a 37-17 (296-137) score per game or a 20-point margin and has seeding wins over 3A North Region Kayenta Monument Valley (41-0, Aug. 21), 2A North 1 Region Holbrook (59-6, Aug. 27), Pima (12-7, Sept. 19), Globe (42-7, Sept. 25), 2A North 2 Region Whiteriver Alchesay (66-6, Oct. 2), and Miami (56-8, Oct. 9) as well as losses to 2A South 2 Region Eloy Santa Cruz (14-59, Sept. 4) and 3A Mountain Region Eagar Round Valley (6-44, Sept. 11).
There are 38 Redskins on the roster, including seven seniors, eight juniors, 13 sophomores, and 10 freshmen. The seniors Brigden Heap (2), Cooper T. Heap (19), Elian Hernandez (69), Victor Hernandez (60), Nic Morales (55), Casiel Nunez (75), Kaden Waite (10), (6); juniors Jonah Brundage (6), Venancio Chavez (56), Mason Ellington (4), Gavin Gaviria (72), Bryken Orona (25), Jake Palmer (87), Brigham Patterson (5), and Nico Pena (70); sophomores Caleb Ellington (11), Brant Hammond (3), Cole Heap (13), Cooper A. Heap (50), Kyler Heap (20), Brigg Overton (44), Ammon Patterson (9), Shawn Patterson (1), Corbin Pope (24), Caleb Ropeter (74), Max Smith (52), Henry Sundahl (42), Ben Trickey (7); and freshmen Emanuel Acosta (62), Justin Clark (8), Easton Lee (26), Tav Parker (23), Ty Parker (54), Damian Peralta (64), Colton Rich (30), Joaquin Sandoval (22), Kaden Struble (79), Grant Waite (14), (14).
Saint Johns is competing in the 5-team 2A East Region with the Globe Tigers, the Miami Vandals, the Morenci Wildcats, and the Pima Roughriders.
The Redskins are 6-2 overall under first-year (2026) Saint Johns head coach Jake Udall.
No. 18 Morenci Wildcats (4-4, 36.0534 rating)
Morenci (4-4 overall, 2-1 region) is averaging a 14-22 (112-176) score per game or an 8-point deficit and has seeding wins over Tucson Tanque Verde (14-7, Aug. 28), Bisbee (14-0, Sept. 11), Globe (20-6, Sept. 18), and Miami (45-0, Oct. 2) as well as losses to Safford (0-44, Aug. 20), Willcox (12-43, Sept. 4), Benson (0-42, Sept. 25), and Pima (7-34, Oct. 9).
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 (0/54), 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 14-15 overall under third-year (2024-26) Morenci head coach Frankie Gonzalez.
No. 9 Pima Roughriders (4-4, 49.6380 rating)
Pima (-4 overall, 3-1 region) a 29-17 (261-153) score per game or an 8-point margin and has seeding wins over 2A South 1 Region Tombstone (36-12, Aug. 28), Miami (47-0), Globe (47-0, Oct. 2), Morenci (34-7, Oct. 9), and Sierra Vista ALA (63-0, Oct. 15) and along with losses to 2A Metro 3 Region Scottsdale Christian (7-32, Aug. 21), 3A Mountain Region Eagar Round Valley (0-56, Sept. 4), 2A South 2 Region Willcox (21-34, Sept. 11, 2026), and Saint Johns (7-12, Sept. 19).
There are 36 Roughriders on the roster, including 11 seniors, nine juniors, nine sophomores, and seven freshmen. The seniors are 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 34-10 overall under fifth-year (2022-26) head coach Josh Wilkins.
No. 40 Miami Vandals (2-6, 6.4704 rating)
Miami (2-6 overall, 0-4 region) is averaging a 14-31 (114-249) score per game or a 17-point deficit and has seeding wins over Tucson Santa Rita (28-13, Aug. 28) and Maricopa Heritage (34-14, Sept. 17) as well as losses to Tombstone (6-40, Aug. 21), Gilbert Arete Prep (38-41, Sept. 4), Globe (0-48, Sept. 10), Pima (0-47, Sept. 25), Morenci (0-45, Oct. 2), and Saint Johns (8-56, Oct. 9).
There are 26 Vandals on the roster, including eight seniors, five juniors, eight sophomores, and five freshmen. The seniors are Emilio Brewer (8), Matthew Cruz (16), Jace Gardner (70), Hector Mariscal (5), Brodie Oropeza (3), Damiaon Romero (2), Kris Tarango (1), and Owen Uto (6); juniors Sebastian Montano (65), Able Reyes (11), Julio Rodriguez (50), Angel Salazar (76), and Jesse Thompson (24); sophomores Chevy Brewer (0), Clay Cooke (44), Varter Harris (7), Anthony Reed (69), Dominic Romero (4), Brayden Saucedo (78), Kannon Stevens (63), and Mason Villalobos (10); and freshmen Juan Guererro (17), Raymond Gutierrez (15), Jake Palmer (75), Robert Perez (34), and Brayden Schelble (14).
Miami is competing in the 5-team 2A East Region with the Globe Tigers, the Morenci Wildcats, the Pima Roughriders, and the Saint Johns Redskins.
The Vandals are 2-4 overall under first-year (2026) Miami head coach Scott Harris.
No. 25 Globe Tigers (3-5, 30.7262 rating)
Globe (3-5 overall, 1-3 region) is averaging a 24-24 (194-193) score per game or a tie and has seeding wins over San Carlos (51-8, Sept. 4), Miami (48-0, Sept. 10), and Arete Prep (56-6, Oct. 9) as well as losses to Whiteriver Alchesay (20-24, Aug. 21), Eloy Santa Cruz (6-46, Aug. 28), Morenci (6-20, Sept. 18), Saint Johns (7-42, Sept. 25), and Pima (0-47, Oct. 2).
There are 34 Tigers on the roster, including 16 seniors, eight juniors, five sophomores, and five freshmen. The seniors are Corban Bejarano (12), Reymondo Cassadore (13), Garrett Copeland (18), Connor Dean (78), Caden Dryden (40), Nick Enfield (30), Kaden Flores (21), Dylan Fodera (53), Heber Hansen (27), Thomas Herrera (44), Greyson Kruger (57), Davien Lagunas (60), Jordy Nieto (23), Ayden Olvera (2), Daniel Ramos (4), and Mason Sandoval (5); juniors Matthew Casey (51), Bert Layton (3), Tavie Osorio (25), Landon Rios (1), Jason Iron Shell (50), Zander Shirey (7), Braden Wagner (8), and Michael Williams (77); sophomores Kach Cormack (11), Devron De La Torre (22), Markitos Franco (6), Jason King (35), and Bryson Lymon (10); and freshmen Jaxon Boykin (75), Dominik Goodman (64), Isaac Goodman (56), Philippe D’Avignon (15), and Carter Layton (33).
Globe is competing in the 5-team 2A East Region with the Miami Vandals, the Morenci Wildcats, the Pima Roughriders, and the Saint Johns Redskins.
The Tigers are 8-9 overall under second-year (2025-26) head coach Brady Hoff.
2A State Rankings
State wide 2A rankings as of Region standings as of Oct. 15 were Scottsdale Christian (7-0, 65.8027) No. 1, Willcox (8-0, 65.6737) No. 2, Gilbert San tan Charter (6-0, 64.6768) No. 3, Chandler Prep (6-1, 55.9221) No. 4, Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (6-2, 54.6526) No. 5, Eloy Santa Cruz (6-2, 54.6429) No. 6, Benson (7-1, 54.3620) No. 7, and Saint Johns (6-2, 50.1314) No. 8.
Pima (5-4, 49.6380) was No. 9, Parker (8-0, 49.5066) No. 10, Phoenix Christian (5-3, 47.8323) No. 11, Phoenix Veritas Prep (5-2, 47.7402) No. 12, Camp Verde (6-1, 47.4133) No. 13, Tucson Tanque Verde (5-3, 44.0463) No. 14, Mesa Heritage (6-2, 41.4902) No. 15, and Tuba City (5-3, 39.0360) No. 16.
Chandler Lincoln Prep (6-2, 37.1421) was No. 17, Morenci (4-4, 36.0534) No. 18, Glendale Trivium Prep (4-4, 35.8332) No. 19, Whiteriver Alchesay (6-1, 35.3690) No. 20, Scottsdale Prep (3-5, 34.2789) No. 21, Phoenix Cortez (5-3, 33.9071) No. 22, Tombstone (4-4, 32.7011) No. 23, and Fort Mohave Desert Star (4-4, 31.6191) No. 24.
Rankings for the other East Region Members were Globe (3-5, 30.7262) No. 25 and Miami (2-6, 6.4704) No. 40.
The other 2A South 2 Region member, Tucson Desert Christian (2-7, 6.5410) was No. 39.
2A East Region
Region standings as of Oct. 10 were Saint Johns (6-2 overall, 3-0 region), Pima (5-4, 3-1), Morenci (4-4, 2-1), Globe (3-5, 1-3), and Miami (2-6, 0-4).
Saint Johns is averaging a 37-17 (296-137) score per game or a 20-point margin, Globe a 24-24 (194-193) score per game or a tie, Pima a 29-17 (261-153) score per game or an 8-point margin, Morenci a 10-24 (60-142) score per game or a 14-point deficit, and Miami an 14-31 (114-249) score per game or a 17-point defici.
To date, region contest results are Globe over Miami (48-0, Sept. 10); Morenci over Globe (20-6, Sept. 18) and Miami (45-0, Oct. 2); Saint Johns over Pima (12-7, Sept. 19), Globe (42-7, Sept. 25), and Miami (56-8, Oct. 9); and Pima over Miami (47-0, Sept. 25), Globe (47-0, Oct. 2), and Morenci (34-7, Oct. 9).
No. 7 Benson Bobcats (7-1 seeding, 54.3620 rating)
Benson (7-1 seeding, 1-1 region) is averaging a 39-13 (311-105) score per game or a 26-point margin and has seeding wins over Bisbee (49-0, Aug. 21), Phoenix Christian (21-16, Aug. 28), Tombstone (49-3, Sept. 3), Tucson Tanque Verde (50-18, Sept. 11), Phoenix Veritas Prep (16-14, Sept. 18), Morenci (42-0, Sept. 25), and Desert Christian (56-16, Oct. 9) as well as losses to Santa Cruz (28-38, Oct. 2).
There are 20 Eagles on the roster, including four seniors, 10 juniors, four sophomores, and two freshmen. The seniors are Jacob Barr (11), C. J. Molina (61), Francisco Ojeda (52), and Derek Phelan (44); juniors Ayden Benson (54), Hunter Cox (68), Colby Delong (62), James Harris (14), Levi Ingold (5), Kekau Ishikawa (75), Joshua Medina (4), Diego Munoz (2), Grant Peterson (72), and Jordan Sexton (28); sophomores Caleb Barr (8), David Janssen (51), James McKinney (12), and Aaron Roundtree (3); and freshmen Jack McKinney (25) and Josh Peterson (42).
Desert Christian is competing in the 4-team 2A South 2 Region with the Benson Bobcats, the Eloy Santa Cruz Dust Devils, and the Willcox Cowboys.
The Bobcats are 20-11 overall under third-year (2024-26) Benson head coach Chris Rasmussen.
No. 2 Willcox Cowboys (8-0 seeding, 65.8027 rating)
Willcox (8-0 overall, 2-0 region) is 42-7 (339-54) score per game or a 35-point margin and has seeding wins over 2A South 1 Region Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (56-0, Aug. 21), 2A Metro 2 Region Arizona Lutheran (34-14, Aug. 28), 2A East Region Morenci (43-12, Sept. 4), 2A East Region Pima (34-21, Sept. 11, 2026), Tombstone (54-0, Sept. 18), 2A Metro 2 Region Scottsdale Prep Spartans (48-14, Sept. 25), Desert Christian (61-0, Oct. 2), and Santa Cruz (47-0, Oct. 9).
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 8-0 overall under first-year Willcox head coach Steven Ward.
2A South 2 Region
Region standings as of Oct. 10 were Willcox (8-0 overall, 2-0 region), Eloy Santa Cruz (7-2, 2-1), Benson (7-1, 1-1), and Tucson Desert Christian (2-7, 0-3).
Willcox is averaging a 42-7 (339-54) score per game or a 35-point margin, Santa Cruz a 29-14 (261-129) score per game or a 15-point margin, Benson a 39-13 (311-105) score per game or a 26-point margin, and Desert Christian a 14-24 (125-220) score per game or a 10-point deficit.
Region contest results are Willcox over Desert Christian (61-0, Oct. 2) and Santa Cruz (47-0, Oct. 9); Santa Cruz over Benson (38-28, Oct. 2) and Desert Christian (1-0, Oct. 16); and Benson over Desert Christian (56-16, Oct. 9).
