Morenci heads to Saint Johns on Friday
By Raymundo Frasquillo
WILLCOX – Third ranked Willcox Cowboys (10-0 overall, 6.9320 rating) draw a first bye while the No. 13 Pima Roughriders (5-5, 466140) host the No. 20 Mesa Heritage Heroes (7-3, 33.8381) and the No. 22 Morenci Wildcats (5-5, 32.9667) head to the No. 11 Saint Johns Redskins (7-3, 48.8677) on Friday, Oct. 30. The two state meet first round pairings have a 7 p.m. start.
Mesa Heritage is averaging a 31-14 (376-143) score per game or a 17-point margin, Saint Johns a 34-20 (341-198) score per game or a 14-point margin, Pima a 27-21 (274-207) score per game or a 6-point margin, and Morenci a 13-21 (129-211) score per game or an 8-point deficit.
2A State Tourney First Round
Teams ranked No. 9 – 24 are paired at the higher seed for the first round on Oct. 30, with No. 16 Glendale Trivium Prep (6-4, 39.3990) hosting No. 17 Scottsdale Prep (4-6, 36.5609) in Game 1, No. 9 Camp Verde (7-2, 49.4889) hosting No. 24 Phoenix Bourgade Catholic (6-4, 30.5026) in Game 2, No. 12 Parker (9-1, 47.0160) hosting No. 21 Chandler Lincoln Prep (7-3, 33.8011) in Game 3, and No. 13 Pima (5-5, 46.6140) hosting No. 20 Mesa Heritage (7-3, 33.8381) in Game 4.
The lower bracket has No. 14 Tucson Tanque Verde (6-4, 44.4502) hosting No. 19 Phoenix Cortez (6-4, 35.3676) in Game 5, No. 11 Saint Johns (7-3, 48.8677) hosting No. 22 Morenci (5-5, 32.9667) in Game 6, No. 10 Phoenix Veritas Prep (6-3, 49.4011) hosting No. 23 Fort Mohave Desert Star (5-5, 30.9696) in Game 7, and No. 15 Tuba City (6-3, 41.1346) hosting No. 15 Whiteriver Alchesay (8-1, 36.1959) in Game 8,
Eight top ranked teams, No. 1 Scottsdale Christian (9-0, 68.5496), No. 2 Gilbert San Tan Charter (8-0, 68.1608), No. 3 Willcox (10-0, 67.9320), No. 4 Chandler Prep (8-1, 61.5912), No. 5 Eloy Santa Cruz (7-2, 55.7989), No. 6 Benson (8-2, 55.5993), No. 7 Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (7-3, 54.3185), and No. 8 Phoenix Christian (7-3, 50.9642), each have a first round bye.
Round 2 pairs the first-round winners with the top eight at the higher seed on Nov. 6; the quarterfinals at the higher seed are on Nov. 13; the semifinals at a site to be determined are on Nov. 21; and the final is at Phoenix Mountain Pointe on Nov. 28.
No. 20 Mesa Heritage Heroes (7-3 seeding, 33.8381 rating)
Mesa Heritage (7-3 seeding, 2-3 region) is averaging a 35-17 (346-173) score per game or an 18-point margin and had seven seeding wins over 2A Metro 5 Region Laveen Heritage (24-0, Aug. 22), 2A Metro 4 Region Wittmann Mountainside (38-7, Aug. 28), 2A Independent Tucson Catalina (44-14, Sept. 4), Sierra Vista American Leadership (52-8, Sept. 11), 2A Independent Scottsdale Coronado (36-0, Sept. 25), 2A Metro 2 Region Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (48-0, Oct. 9), and Tombstone (42-18, Oct. 16).
The three seeding losses were to Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (20-25, Sept. 18), Parker (28-40, Oct. 2), and 2A Metro 3 Region Fountain Hills (30-19, Oct. 22).
The roster includes 33 Heroes: nine seniors, seven juniors, nine sophomores, and eight freshmen. The seniors are Dylan Acedo (21), Maddex Bitter (50), Zander Jones (5), Adrian Martinez (76), Ben Nyman (17), Trevor Schultz (13), Lisala Tai (72), Branson Wright (14), and Kevin Wright (55); juniors Hamlet Good (25), Gael Parra (6), Harley Ortega (56), Kevin Pugmire (7), Brenyn Regnaud (59), Johnny Wills (61), and Branson Wright (14); sophomores Dylan Bitter (11), Jacob Bleakley (15), Travis Brown (66), Reid Nyman (88), Ryan Oakes (4), Lucas Ramirez (77), Marco Salazar (8), Fernando Taylor (23), and Max Zuber (12); and freshmen Weston Hansen (2), Parker Jennings (16), Patriot Layton (95), Mark Perkins (9), Dominick Saucedo (10), Kael Sheier (3), Gunnar Shill (18), and Tini Tai (72).
Mesa Heritage competed in the 6-team 2A Metro 2 Region with the Parker Broncs, the Phoenix Arizona Lutheran Coyotes, the Phoenix Madison Highland Prep Heat, the Scottsdale Prep Spartans, and the Sierra Vista American Leadership Guardians.
The Heroes are 7-3 overall under first-year (2026) Mesa Heritage head coach Spencer Wade.
No. 13 Pima Roughriders (5-5, 46.6140 rating)
Pima (5-5 overall, 3-1 region) averaged a 27-21 (274-207) score per game or a 6-point margin and had five 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).
The five seeding losses were 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), Saint Johns (7-12, Sept. 19), and 2A Metro 1 Region Chandler Prep (13-54, Oct. 23).
The roster includes 36 Roughriders: 11 seniors, 9 juniors, 9 sophomores, and 7 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 competed 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 50-13 overall under fifth-year (2022-26) head coach Josh Wilkins.
2A State Rankings
Final state wide 2A rankings as of noon on Oct. 24 were Scottsdale Christian (9-0, 68.5496) No. 1, Gilbert San Tan Charter (8-0, 68.1608) No. 2, Willcox (10-0, 67.9320) No. 3, Chandler Prep (8-1, 61.5912) No. 4, Eloy Santa Cruz (7-2, 55.7989) No. 5, Benson (8-2, 55.5993) No. 6, Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (7-3, 54.3185) No. 7, and Phoenix Christian (7-3, 50.9642) No. 8.
Camp Verde (7-2, 49.4889) was No. 9, Phoenix Veritas Prep (6-3, 49.4011) No. 10, Saint Johns (7-3, 48.8677) No. 11, Parker (9-1, 47.0160) No. 12, Pima (5-5, 46.6140) No. 13, Tucson Tanque Verde (6-4, 44.4502) No. 14, Tuba City (6-3, 41.1346) No. 15, and Glendale Trivium Prep (6-4, 39.3990) No. 16.
Scottsdale Prep (4-6, 36.5609) was No. 17, Whiteriver Alchesay (8-1, 36.1959) No. 18, Phoenix Cortez (6-4, 35.3676) No. 19, Mesa Heritage (7-3, 33.8381) No. 20, Chandler Lincoln Prep (7-3, 33.8011) No. 21, Morenci (5-5, 32.9667) No. 22, Fort Mohave Desert Star (5-5, 30.9696) No. 23, and Phoenix Bourgade Catholic (6-4, 30.5026) No. 24.
The other Metro 1 Region member rankings were Florence American Leadership – Anthem South (5-5, 29.7645) No. 25 and Gilbert Arete Prep (3-7, 2.5026) No. 43.
The other East Region members were ranked Globe (4-6, 28.5581) No. 27 and Miami (2-8, 2.9425) No. 43.
The other 2A South 1 Region members were ranked: Tombstone (4-6, 29.4722) No. 26, Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (6-4, 25.1012) No. 29, Bisbee (1-9, 6.6720) No. 40, and Tucson Santa Rita (3-7, 0.6861) No. 44.
Ranking for the other 2A South 2 Region member, Tucson Desert Christian (2-7, 10.2411) was No. 36.
No. 11 Saint Johns (7-3 seeding, 48.8677 rating)
Saint Johns (7-3 overall, 3-0 region) is averaging a 34-20 (341-200) score per game or a 14-point margin and had seven 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), Miami (56-8, Oct. 9), and Morenci (21-2, Oct. 16).
The three seeding losses were to 2A South 2 Region Eloy Santa Cruz (14-59, Sept. 4), 3A Mountain Region Eagar Round Valley (6-44, Sept. 11), and 2A Metro 1 Region Gilbert San Tan Charter (24-61, Oct. 23).
The roster includes 38 Redskins: seven seniors, eight juniors, 13 sophomores, and 10 freshmen. The seniors are Brigden Heap (2), Cooper T. Heap (19), Elian Hernandez (69), Victor Hernandez (60), Nic Morales (55), Casiel Nunez (75), Kaden Waite (10); 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).
Saint Johns competed in the 5-team 2A East Region with the Globe Tigers, the Miami Vandals, the Morenci Wildcats, and the Pima Roughriders.
The Redskins are 7-3 overall under first-year (2026) Saint Johns head coach Jake Udall.
No. 22 Morenci Wildcats (5-5, 32.9667 rating)
Morenci (5-5 overall, 2-2 region) is averaging a 13-21 (129-211) score per game or an 8-point deficit and had five seeding wins over Tucson Tanque Verde (14-7, Aug. 28), Bisbee (14-0, Sept. 11), Globe (20-6, Sept. 18), Miami (45-0, Oct. 2), and 2A Metro 1 Region Florence American Leadership – Anthem South (15-14, Oct. 23).
The five seeding losses were to Safford (0-44, Aug. 20), Willcox (12-43, Sept. 4), Benson (0-42, Sept. 25), Pima (7-34, Oct. 9), and Saint Johns (2-21, Oct. 16).
The roster includes 39 Wildcats: three seniors, 13 juniors, six sophomores, and 17 freshmen. The seniors are Joel Baca (28), 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), Bryden Herrera (77), Leo Hernandez (53), and Santi Sanchez (65); and freshmen 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), Dre Sarrett (42), Owen Steinberg (68), Josiah Vidales (21), Jeremiah Wesley (80), and Marcus Wile (58).
Morenci competed 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 15-17 overall under third-year (2024-26) Morenci head coach Frankie Gonzalez.
2A Metro 2 Region
Region final standings as of Oct. 24 were Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (7-3 overall, 5-0 region), Parker (9-1, 4-1), Scottsdale Prep (4-6, 3-2), Mesa Heritage (7-3, 2-3), Sierra Vista American Leadership (4-6, 1-4), and Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (0-10, 0-5).
Final region contest results were Arizona Lutheran over Madison Highland Prep (44-0 Sept. 11), Mesa Heritage (25-20, Sept. 18), Sierra Vista ALA (63-22, Oct. 2), Scottsdale Prep (42-7, Oct. 9), and Parker (21-7, Oct. 16); Parker over Scottsdale Prep (47-28, Sept. 11), Madison Highland Prep (48-0 Sept. 17), Mesa Heritage (40-28, Oct. 2), and Sierra Vista ALA (46-14, Oct. 9); Scottsdale Prep over Sierra Vista ALA (48-8, Sept. 18), Madison Highland Prep (62-6, Oct. 9), and Mesa Heritage (60-28, Oct. 15); Mesa Heritage over Sierra Vista ALA (52-8, Sept. 11) and Madison Highland Prep (48-0, Oct. 9); and Sierra Vista ALA over Madison Highland Prep (56-0, Sept. 4).
2A East Region
Region final standings as of Oct. 24 were Saint Johns (7-3 overall, 4-0 region), Pima (5-5, 3-1), Morenci (5-5, 2-2), Globe (4-6, 1-3), and Miami (2-8, 0-4).
Final region contest results were 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), Miami (56-8, Oct. 9), and Morenci (21-2, Oct. 16); and Pima over Miami (47-0, Sept. 25), Globe (47-0, Oct. 2), and Morenci (34-7, Oct. 9).
2026 2A Crossover Results
Thus far, the 2A Class crossover region 2-year pairings resulted in wins of 31-21 for the home teams, with the North 1 vs. North 2 Region second and third seed pairings canceled and not played.
The Metro 4 Region versus Metro 5 Region is 11-0, the North 2 Region vs. North 1 Region 8-6, the South 2 Region vs. South 1 Region 7-3, the Metro 2 Region vs. Metro 3 Region 7-5, and the East Region vs. Metro 1 Region results are 5-5.
Metro 1 Region – 4, East Region – 1
The East Region at Metro 1 Region third seeds, Morenci Wildcats (2-2) at Florence American Leadership – Anthem South Titans (2-2) was a 15-14 come-from-behind win; top seeds Metro 1 Gilbert (4-0) over Saint Johns (4-0) 61-24, and second seed No. 4 Chandler Prep (7-1, 57.1261) over Pima (3-1) 54-13 on Oct. 23. San Tan Charter was No. 4 (8-0, 65.2108), Saint Johns No. 8 (7-2, 51.2571), No. 4 Chandler Prep No. 4 (7-1, 57.1261), Pima No. 9 (5-4, 51.2219), Morenci No. 18 (4-4, 36.0534), and ALA – Anthem South No.28 (5-4, 28.0954).
Fourth seed Chandler Lincoln Prep (1-3) defeated Globe (1-3) 44-19 and fifth seed Gilbert Arete Prep (0-4) defeated Miami (0-4) 42-6 on Oct. 22. The state rankings were Lincoln Prep No. 17 (6-3, 37.1421), Globe No. 25 (4-5, 30.7262), Arete Prep No. 43 (2-7, 2.8399), and Miami No. 40 (2-7, 6.4704).
Lincoln Prep averaged a 39-18 (392-175) score per game or an 11-point margin, Globe a 25-24 (253-237) score per game or a 1-point margin, Arete Prep a 10-35 (96-349) score per game or a 25-point deficit, and Miami a 12-41 (120-411) score per game or a 29-point deficit.
2A South 2 Region – 4, 2A South 1 Region – 1
It was South 2 Region top seed Willcox (3-0) over South 1 Region top seed Tanque Verde (4-0) 34-7, second seed Eloy Santa Cruz (2-1) over South 1 second seed Tombstone (3-1) 54-13, South 2 third seed Benson (1-2) over South 1 Palo Verde Magnet (2-2) 56-14, South 2 fourth seed Desert Christian (0-3) over South 1 Bisbee (1-3) 1-0, and Independent Scottsdale Coronado over South 1 fifth seed Santa Rita (0-4) 28-0.
Willcox was averaging a 44-6 (400-57) score per game or a 38-point margin, Tanque Verde a 37-21 (336-188) score per game or a 16-point margin, Santa Cruz averaging a 29-17 (261-157) score per game or an 8-point margin, Palo Verde Magnet a 23-19 (203-168) score per game or a 4-point margin, Benson a 35-14 (314-128) score per game or a 21-point margin, Tombstone a 23-28 (209-248) score per game or a 5-point deficit, Desert Christian a 13-22 (126-220) score per game or a 9-point deficit, Santa Rita an 11-25 (99-221) or a 14-point deficit, Coronado a 5-41 (44-368) score per game or a 36-point deficit, and Bisbee 5-30 (45-303) score per game or a 25-point deficit.
2A Metro 4 Region – 6, 2A Metro 5 Region – 0
It was Metro 4 Region top seed Phoenix Christian (5-0) over Metro 5 Region top seed Laveen Heritage (2-1) 55-7, Metro 4 Region fifth seed Wittmann Mountainside (1-4) over 3A Independent Wickenburg 1-0, and Metro 4 Region Surprise Highland Prep (0-5) over 2A Independent Tuba City Greyhills 36-0 on Oct. 23.
Metro 4 Region second seed Phoenix Veritas Prep (4-1) over Metro 5 second seed Avondale Highland Prep West (2-1) 48-14, Metro 4 Region third seed Glendale Trivium Prep (3-2) over Metro 5 Region Wellton Antelope (1-2) 46-0, and Metro 4 Region fourth seed Fort Mohave Desert Star (2-3) over Metro 5 Region California Winterhaven San Pasqual (1-2) 44-8 on Oct. 22.
2A North 1 Region – 2, 2A North 2 Region – 1
It was North 2 Region top seed Whiteriver Alchesay (4-0) over North 1 Region top seed Holbrook (1-0), 28-6, and 2A Independent Surprise Highland Prep over North 2 Region Tuba City Greyhills (0-4), 36-0 on Oct. 23, and 2A Independent Avondale Saint John Paul II Catholic over North 2 Region fourth seed Keams Canyon Hopi (1-2), 41-0 on Oct. 22.
The North 1 Region second seed Pinon (1-1) versus North 2 Region second seed Tuba City (3-1) and the North 1 Region third seed Teec Nos Pos Red Mesa (0-1) vs. North 2 Region Sanders Valley (1-2) were canceled.
2A Independents
Tucson Catalina beat San Carlos 66-0 on Oct. 23. In the 2025 pairing, San Carlos beat Catalina 50-6.
