Safford, Thatcher tangle on Mickelson Field
By Raymundo Frasquillo
DUNCAN – They have met eight times previously, with the visitors holding a 5-3 advantage and 6-point edge, 28-22 (223-172) since 2013. The Richard Bravo-coached Kearny Ray Bearcats will step onto Packer Field on Friday, Oct. 3, for Duncan’s final home game this season.
Two common opponents have been faced by both teams: Fort Thomas and Valley Union. The Bearcats emerged 2-0 with an average score of 45-30 (90-60) or a 15-point margin, while the Wildkats were 1-1 with a 38-40 (76-80) average score or a 2-point deficit for the pairings.
Kick-off is 7 p.m.
RAY Bearcats
Ray (5-1 overall, 2-0 East Region for first of five) has averaged a score of 47-30 (280-180) per game or a 17-point margin through six games. The Bearcats have wins over San Manuel (28-26, Aug. 29), Phoenix Valley Lutheran (60-0, Sept. 5), Elfrida Valley Union (36-34, Sept.126), Scottsdale Cicero Prep (52-28, Sept. 19), and Fort Thomas (54-26, Sept. 26). The lone loss is to Glendale Desert Heights (50-66, Aug. 22).
The Richard Bravo-coached Bearcats have a 20-member roster with five seniors, six juniors, three sophomores, and six freshmen. The seniors include Jason Day (12), Cyrus Putman (56), Kaiden Riege (58), Thomas Rivera (88), and George Wade (57); juniors Caden Kenney (35), Damien Lechuga (18), Samson Martinez (24), R.J. Nunez (22), Seth Wade (3), and Eric Westfall (52); sophomores Chase Chester (25), Jesse James (4), and Logan Rice (5); and freshmen Dominic Atkins (14), Devin Boltarez (33), Adem Nunez (1), Joshua Zazueta (74), and Mikal Zazueta (50).
Ray visits Duncan (Oct. 3), hosts Superior (Oct. 10), and visits Hayden (Oct. 17).
Bravo is the fourth head coach for the Bearcats in as many seasons.
Ray is competing in the 5-team 1A East Region with the San Manuel Miners, the Scottsdale Cicero Prep Centurions, the Superior Panthers, and the Winkelman Hayden Lobos.
DUNCAN Wildkats
Duncan (3-3 overall, 2-2 South Region for third of five) is averaging a score of 36-39 (214-231) per game or a 3-point deficit through six games. The Wildkats have wins over Fort Thomas (70-28, Aug. 29), Dishchii’bikoh (72-14, Sept. 19), and Baboquivari (50-20) plus losses to New Mexico Lordsburg (16-58, Aug. 22), Elfrida Valley Union (6-52, Sept. 5), and Saint David (0-59, Sept. 12).
The Dan Coats-coached Wildkats host the Ray Bearcats (Oct. 3), and visit the San Manuel Miners (Oct. 10) and the Mayer Wildcats (Oct. 17).
Duncan lists an 18-man roster with six seniors, six juniors, three sophomores, and three freshmen. The seniors include Ky Coats (67), Joseph Contreras (52), Joshua Free (65), Taygan Jensen (5), Pablo Ruiz (7), and Lucas Soohy (76); juniors Jarren Butler (55), Conner Free (11), Billy Johnson (63), Dayton Penry (1), Aaron Zamora (80), and Lloyd Weinreich (88); sophomores Mark Bejarano (10), Karson Lacey (4), and Drake Waters (36); and freshmen Max Barker (35), Killian Galvin (50), and Cade Stephens (37).
The Wildkats are 3-13 overall, 4-12 region, and 3-7 at home under Coach Coats.
Duncan is competing in the 5-team 1A South Region with the Elfrida Valley Union Blue Devils, the Fort Thomas Apaches, the Saint David Tigers, and the Sells Baboquivari Warriors.
1A South Region
Region standings as of Sept. 20 had Saint David (6-0 overall, 3-0 region), Elfrida Valley Union (3-2, 2-1), Duncan (3-3, 2-2), Fort Thomas (1-5, 1-1), and Sells Baboquivari (0-6, 0-4).
To date, region pairings have Saint David over Valley Union (58-0, Aug. 22), Baboquivari (59-0, Aug. 29), and Duncan (59-0, Sept. 12); Valley Union over Duncan (52-6, Sept. 5) and Baboquivari (52-0, Sept. 19); Duncan over Fort Thomas (70-28, Aug. 29) and Baboquivari (50-20, Sept. 26); and Fort Thomas over Baboquivari (38-0, Aug. 22).
This week, the 8-man 1A South Region has Saint David (6-0) hosting1A East Region Winkelmam Hayden (6-0), Duncan (3-3) hosting 1A East Region Ray (5-1), Valley Union (3-2) hosting Fort Thomas (1-5), and Baboquivari (0-6) hosting 1A West Region Glendale Desert Heights Prep (4-2).
Remaining region pairings include Saint David at Fort Thomas (Oct. 10),
SAFFORD Bulldogs
Safford officially had a student enrollment count of 920 for the 2024-25 school year and Ishmael MacNeil is in his initial season as the Bulldogs’ head coach.
The Bulldogs are averaging a 16-20 (97-121) score per game or a 4-point deficit. The Graham County boys have wins over 3A North Region Winslow (27-7, Sept. 12) and San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills (20-0, Sept. 26) along with losses to Morenci (14-20, Aug. 22), 3A Mountain Region Lakeside Blue Ridge (14-30, Aug. 29), 3A Metro Region Chandler Seton Catholic (8-36, Sept. 5), and Coolidge (14-28, Sept. 18),
Safford lists a 42-member roster including 12 seniors, 10 juniors, 15 sophomores, and five freshmen. The seniors are Adrien Casillas (8), David Cruz (62), James Curtis (54), Gabriel Espinoza (7), Bruno Gavin (69), Aiden Gutierrez (13), Alexander Heath (70), Brandon Heesaker (55), Kyler Kuney (65), Sawyer Layton (66), Damian Nunez (9), and Juan Ramirez III (19); juniors Boston Arbizo (11), Andrew Baker (26), Aaron Barnes (27), Mario Chavez (28), Matteo Chavez (5), Lamarr Ellis (2), Jacob Gomez (22), Price Harsh (10), Dane Jacobson (0), and Arias Peru (74); and sophomores Anthony Arreola (50), Easton Ballejos (23), Layne Bell (67), Cooper Canter (31), Trae Gaines (3), Chris Garcia (79), Samuel Harmon (30), Eric Legarda (51), Ryatt Lopez (4), Killian Morris (76), Tristan Ogas (73), Josiah Pena (61), Diego Rios (17), Gavin Rios (60), and Parker Whisman (6); and freshmen Juanito Blancarte (87), Kyle Decker (), Drake Miller (21), Enrique Ortega (53), Nivek Ruskin (58).
Safford visits Thatcher (Oct. 3), hosts Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (Oct. 11), is open on Oct. 18, hosts Florence (Oct. 24), and visits Tucson Sabino (Oct. 31).
The Bulldogs are competing in the 7-member 3A South Region with the Coolidge Bears (882), the Florence Gophers (858), the San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills Sabercats (819), the Thatcher Eagles (562), the Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian Lions (428), and the Tucson Sabino Sabercats (867).
THATCHER Eagles
Thatcher officially had a student enrollment count of 562 for the 2024-25 school year and was 43-17 overall, 18-4 region, 23-8 at home, and 7-5 in the post-season while averaging a 32-18 (1,922-1,075) score per game or a 14-point margin under Daniel Jones (2020-24).
The Eagles (4-1 overall, 2-0 East Region for first of five) are averaging a score of 30-18 (149-88) per game or a 12-point margin through five games. The Eagles have wins over 3A Metro Region Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (41-29, Aug. 22), 3A Mountain Region Apache Junction (47-0, Aug. 28), Florence (21-18), and Pusch Ridge Christian (28-14). The loss was to 3A Metro Region Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (12-27, Sept. 5).
Thatcher has a 45-member roster that includes 17 seniors, 15 juniors, and 13 sophomores. The seniors are Braden Bryce (3), Jackson Bryce (5), Ethan Griffin (81), Chad Johnson (17), Ryan Jones (8), Travis Larson (66), Smith Mangum (30), Luke Marble (25), Josiah Matagaono (0), Trevyn Murphy (12), Brigham Palmer (6), Sebastian Randall (26), Landon Robbins (62), Dylan Riney (31), Vance Shill (79), Tanner Smith (22), and Kannon Windsor (56); juniors Vincent Bejarano (52), Hunter Burkett (13), Hudson Conrad (1), Teagan Damron (28), Kaesen Estes (67), Ethan Hayes (21), Brock Innes (65), Ryzer Jaquez (9), Josh Jones (24), Grady Lehmann (55), Sepharoth Quintero (4), Branden Rios (73), Brig Romney (32), Wyatt Swyers (59), and Tufden Taylor (10); and sophomores Archer Carlton (40), Holston Conrad (58), Boston Echols (11), Marco Martinez (16), Mason Mack (27), Ritter Smouse (20), Clancy Mullenaux (54), Joshua Nicholas (74), Andres Nunez (18), Kase Palmer (15), Ryker Romero (2), Jax Shupe (14), and Kash Williams (7).
The Daniel Jones-coached Eagles host the Safford Bulldogs (Oct. 3), visit the San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills Sabercats (Oct. 10), host the 3A Mountain Region Payson Longhorns (Oct. 17) and the Sabino Sabercats (Oct. 17), and visit the Coolidge Bears (Oct. 31).
Thatcher is competing in the 7-member 3A South Region with the Coolidge Bears (882), the Florence Gophers (858), the Safford Bulldogs (620), the San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills Sabercats (819), the Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian Lions (428), and the Tucson Sabino Sabercats (867).
3A East Region Standings
Region standing as of Sept. 27 were Thatcher (4-1 overall, 2-0 region), Tucson Sabino (3-3, 2-0), Tucson Push Ridge Christian (5-1, 2-1), Safford (2-4, 1-1), Florence (2-4, 1-2), Coolidge (3-3, 1-2), and San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills (0-6, 0-3).
To date in region contests, it was Thatcher over Florence (21-18, Sept. 12) and Pusch Ridge (28-14, Sept. 26); Sabino over (Coolidge 60-12, Sept. 12) and San Tan Foothills (67-51, Sept. 18); Pusch Ridge over San Tan Foothills (53-10, Aug. 23) and Florence (39-27, Sept. 19); Safford over San Tan Foothills (20-0, Sept. 26); Florence over Coolidge (27-2, Sept. 26); and Coolidge over Safford (28-14, Sept. 18).
This week in 3A South Region pairings, Thatcher (5-1) hosts Safford (2-4), Sabino (3-3) visits Pusch Ridge (5-1), Coolidge (3-3) visits 3A Mountain Region American Leadership – Mesa North (2-4), and both Florence (2-4) and San Tan Foothills (0-6) have a bye.
Remaining region contests include Thatcher at San Tan Foothills and Coolidge at Pusch Ridge on Oct. 10; Sabino at Florence and Pusch Ridge at Safford on Oct. 17; Sabino at Thatcher, Florence at Safford, and San Tan Foothills at Coolidge on Oct. 24; and Thatcher at Coolidge, Safford at Sabino, and Florence at San Tan Foothills on Oct. 31.
Duncan – 50, Baboquivari – 20
Fourteen unanswered first half points along with a 26-6 second half effort allowed the host Wildkats to walk off of Packer Field with a win and 3-3 record. A 65-yard touchdown run on a fake punt after three plays losing six yards using 1:11 and a 15-yard score on a fourth play using 1:14 helped double Duncan’s first-half output. The halftime score favored the home team 28-12.
The visiting Warriors came within two points, 12-14, with 5:14 left in the first half, but the conversion run was stopped. Their ensuing possessions resulted in a turnover on downs and running out of time.
Baboquivari scored on its initial second-half possession, covering 69 yards in 10 plays using 4:59 and adding the conversion run. Duncan led 28-20 with 6:52 elapsed.
The Warriors turned the ball over during their ensuing six possessions, on a 4th-and-7 incomplete pass (downs), a 4th-and-14 a punt, a 4th-and-7 blocked punt, on a 4th-and-17 sack (downs), on a 4th-and-10 sack (downs), and ran out of time on 3rd-and-15.
Duncan scored thrice more after punting twice, on 4th-and-28 and on 4th-and-12, and yielding the ball on downs. The Wildkats covered 32 yards in two plays using 11 seconds (36-20), 46 yards in five plays using 1:51, and 64 yards in six plays.
Duncan junior Dayton Penry took sophomore Mark Bejarano’s pass for a 33-yard score and sophomore Karsen Lacey caught the conversion pass (36-20) with 1:02 left in the third quarter; Penry ran 11 yards on 3rd-and-7 and Lacey caught the conversion pass (44-20) with 4:09 left in the fourth quarter; and the Pablo Ruiz to Lacey connection resulted in a 25-yard TD with 39 seconds remaining.
In the first half, Penry turned a 3rd-and-15 pass from Ruiz into a 69-yard touchdown with 5:10 elapsed in the game.
Baboquivari countered seven plays later on 2nd-and-goal. Senior quarterback Kason Garcia entered the end zone from three yards out to tie the score at 6-6 with 2:50 left in the first quarter.
Turnovers ensued on ensuing possessions. Duncan threw an incomplete pass on 4th-and-5, while Baboquivari punted on 4th-and-20.
A penalty on the kick-off put Duncan 40 yards away, and the Wildkats covered in two plays plus a 5-yard penalty. Bejarano took a Ruiz aerial for a 19-yard TD, and Ruiz added the conversion run. Duncan led 14-6 with 13 seconds elapsed in the second quarter.
Baboquivari punted on 4th-and-12 and regained possession on the ensuing first down interception. The Warriors marched 41 yards in seven plays plus a 5-yard penalty. Junior Mason Ackerman ran in from a yard out on 2nd-and-goal. The conversion attempt failed.
Lacey bolted 69 yards to paydirt on a fake punt, and a completed conversion pass gave the hosts a 10-point (28-20) advantage with 3:54 left in the half. A turnover on downs returned possession to Duncan. The Wildkats covered 40 yards in four plays. Senior Taygan Jensen pulled down a Ruiz aerial for a 15-yard TD. Duncan led 28-12 with 39 seconds remaining until the mid-game break. On the evening, Duncan averaged 8.3 (28-232) yards rushing and 32.0 (5-160) passing. The Wildkats completed 5-16 passes for 160 yards and an interception.
