Morenci, Sabino, and Thatcher draw byes this week
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – Three South Region teams, Morenci, Sabino, and Thatcher drew a bye this week. The other two, Safford and Pusch Ridge Christian are at Blue Ridge and host San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills, respectively, on Friday, Sept. 27.
Morenci Wildcats (2-3, 0-0)
To date, 2-3 Morenci is averaging a 19-21 (97-105) score per game or a 2-point deficit. Morenci has wins over Eagar Round Valley (6-3, Aug. 30) and Benson (35-25, Sept. 6). The losses are to Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (34-35, Aug. 23), Pima (14-20 2 OT, Sept. 13), and Lakeside Blue Ridge (8-22, Sept. 20).
Last season at the same point, the Wildcats were 3-2 and averaged a 21-10 (105-49) score per game or an 11-point margin. Morenci had wins over ALA – Ironwood (6-0), Round Valley (24-6), and Benson (35-0) along with losses to Pima (16-19 OT) and Blue Ridge (21-24).
The Wildcats are idle this week, visit Safford (Oct. 4), host Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (Oct. 11), visit Fountain Hills (Oct. 18) and Tucson Sabino (Oct. 25), and host Thatcher (Nov. 1).
Morenci is in the 3A South Region with Pusch Ridge Christian, Sabino, Safford, and Thatcher.
Morenci 2024 Opponents (29-12)
Through five weeks, Morenci’s opponents (minus games with the Wildcats) are a combined 29-12 overall with an average score per game of 25-16 (1,018-646) or a 9-point margin.
Individually, American Leadership – Ironwood (35-34 win in Morenci, Aug. 23) is 4-0 and averaged a 32-13 (129-50) score per game or a 19-point margin. The Warriors also have wins of 52-21 over Douglas (Aug. 30), 41-17 over Gilbert Christian (Sept. 6), 35-12 over Phoenix Sierra Linda (Sept. 13), and 1-0 (forfeit) from Coolidge (Sept. 20).
Round Valley (3-6 loss in Morenci, Aug. 30) is 2-1 and averaged a 29-20 (88-59) score per game or a 9-point margin. The Elks have wins of 36-0 over Saint Johns (Sept. 6) and 25-24 in overtime over San Tan Valley Poston Butte (Sept. 20) as well as a 27-35 loss to Thatcher (Sept. 13).
Benson (25-35 loss in Morenci, Sept. 6) is 2-1 and averaged a 20-15 (61-44) score per game or a 5-point margin. The Bobcats have wins of 27-10 over Phoenix Shadow Mountain (Aug. 23) and Tombstone (Sept. 20) along with a 20-22 loss to Phoenix Christian (Aug. 30).
Pima (20-14 2 OT win in Morenci, Sept. 13) is 3-1 and averaged an 18-5 (55-16) score per game or a 13-point margin. The Roughriders have wins of 41-0 over Globe (Aug. 23) and 7-2 over Saint Johns (Sept. 20) as well as a 7-14 loss to Safford (Aug. 30).
Blue Ridge (22-8 win over Morenci, Sept. 20) is 4-0 and averaged a 37-4 (149-14) score per game or a 33-point margin. The Yellow Jackets have wins of 46-0 over Kayenta Monument Valley (Aug. 23), 28-8 over Saint Johns (Aug. 30), 52-0 over Fort Defiance Window Rock (Sept. 6), and 33-6 over Cottonwood Mingus (Sept. 13).
Morenci has yet to square off against 3-2 Safford (Oct. 4), 3-1 Pusch Ridge Christian (Oct. 11), 2-3 Fountain Hills (Oct. 18), 2-3 Sabino (Oct. 25), or 4-1 Thatcher (Nov. 1).
Safford is averaging a 20-16 (102-81) score per game or a 4-point margin through five games. The Bulldogs have wins of 14-7 over Pima (Aug. 30), Tucson Rincon/University (Sept. 13), and 27-14 over Sabino (Sept. 20). The losses are 6-20 to Payson (Aug. 23) and 13-34 to Florence (Sept. 6).
Pusch Ridge is averaging a 36-10 (144-41) score per game or a 26-point margin through four games. The Lions have wins of 42-3 over Show Low (Aug. 30), 51-0 over Yuma (Sept. 13), and 44-7 over Tucson Catalina Foothills (Sept. 20). The loss was 7-31 to Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (Sept. 6).
Fountain Hills is averaging a 28-41 (139-205) score per game or a 13-point deficit through five games. The Falcons have wins of 56-48 over Yuma Kofa (Aug. 23) and 31-0 over Phoenix Bourgade Catholic (Aug. 30). The losses are 25-54 to Camp Verde (Sept. 6), 27-54 to Tempe Marcos de Niza (Sept. 13), and 0-49 to Payson (Sept. 20).
Sabino is averaging a 16-15 (81-77) score per game or a 1-point margin through five games. The Sabercats have wins of 40-0 over Coolidge (Aug. 23) and 13-0 over Queen Creek Crimson (Sept. 6). The losses are 14-15 to Tucson Sahuaro (Aug. 30), 0-35 to Tucson Mica Mountain (Sept. 13), and 14-27 to Safford (Sept. 20).
Thatcher is averaging a 25-12 (125-59) score per game or a 13-point margin through five games. The Eagles have wins of 32-0 over Surprise Paradise Honors (Aug. 23), 15-0 over Crimson (Aug. 30), 31-13 over Chandler Valley Christian (Sept. 6), and 35-27 over Round Valley (Sept. 13). The loss was 12-19 to Yuma Catholic (Sept. 20).
3A South Region
Region standings are Safford (3-2 overall, 1-0 region), Thatcher (4-1, 0-0), Pusch Ridge Christian (3-1, 0-0), Sabino (2-3, 0-1), and Morenci (2-3, 0-0).
Safford has seeding wins over Pima (14-7, Aug. 29), Tucson Rincon/University (42-6, Sept. 13), and Sabino (27-14, Sept. 20). The losses are to Payson (6-20, Aug. 23) and Florence (13-34, Sept. 6).
Thatcher has wins over Surprise Paradise Honors (32-0, Aug. 23), Queen Creek Crimson (15-0, Aug. 30), Chandler Valley Christian (31-13, Sept. 6), and Round Valley (35-27, Sept. 13) along with a loss to Yuma Catholic (12-19, Sept. 20).
Sabino has wins over Coolidge (40-0, Aug. 23) and Crimson (13-0, Sept. 6) as well as losses to Tucson Sahuaro (14-15, Aug. 30), Tucson Mica Mountain (0-35, Sept. 13), and Safford (14-27, Sept. 20).
Pusch Ridge has wins over Show Low (42-3, Aug. 30), Yuma (51-0, Sept. 13), and Tucson Catalina Foothills (44-7, Sept. 20) along with a loss to Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (7-31, Aug. 30).
Morenci has wins over Round Valley (6-3, Aug. 30) and Benson (35-25, Sept. 6) along with losses to ALA – Ironwood (34-35, Aug. 23), Pima (14-20 2 OT, Sept. 13), and Blue Ridge (8-22, Sept. 20).
This week (Sept. 27), Safford visits Blue Ridge and Pusch Ridge hosts San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills while Thatcher, Sabino, and Morenci are idle.
2A Black Region
Region standing are Whiteriver Alchesay (3-1 overall, 1-0 region), Pima (3-1, 2-0), Miami (2-2, 1-0), San Carlos (1-4, 1-1), Saint Johns (1-3, 0-1), Florence American Leadership – Anthem South (2-3, 0-1), and Globe (1-4, 0-2).
Alchesay has seeding wins over Sanders Valley (52-0, Sept. 5), Teec Nos Pos Red Mesa (56-0, Sept. 13), and San Carlos (52-20, Sept. 20) along with a loss to Chinle (12-20, Aug. 30).
Pima has wins over Globe (41-0, Aug. 23), Morenci (20-14 in 2 OT, Sept. 13), and Saint Johns (7-2, Sept. 20) along with a 7-14 loss to Safford (Aug. 29).
Miami has wins over Chandler Prep (32-14, Sept. 13) and Globe (30-19, Sept. 20) along with losses to Scottsdale Prep (6-13, Aug. 23) and Phoenix Veritas Prep (12-28, Aug. 30).
San Carlos has a win over ALA – Anthem South (24-12, Aug. 23) as well as losses to Whittman Mountainside (14-25, Aug. 30), Tombstone (6-58, Sept. 6), Pinon (6-30, Sept. 13), and Alchesay (20-52, Sept. 20).
Saint Johns a win over Holbrook (63-16, Sept. 13) as well as losses to Blue Ridge (8-28, Aug. 30), Round Valley (0-36, Sept. 6), and Pima (2-7, Sept. 20).
ALA – Anthem South has wins over Tucson Catalina (28-26, Sept. 6) and Santa Rita (34-6, Sept. 13). The losses are to San Carlos (12-24, Aug. 23), Gilbert Arete Prep (0-38, Aug. 30), Wellton Antelope (0-34, Sept. 20).
Globe has a win over Tucson Santa Rita (37-0, Aug. 30) and losses to Pima (0-41, Aug. 23), Gilbert Arete Prep (6-7, Sept. 6), Tombstone (7-34, Sept. 12), and Miami (19-30, Sept. 20).
This week, Alchesay hosts ALA-Anthem South on Thursday, Sept. 26; Pima hosts Miami and San Carlos visits Phoenix Valley Lutheran on Friday, Sept. 27; and Saint Johns hosts Globe on Saturday, Sept. 28.
2A San Pedro Region
Region standings are Tanque Verde (3-1 seeding, 1-0 region), Bisbee (3-1, 1-0), Benson (2-2, 1-0), Willcox (2-2, 0-0), Tombstone (2-2, 0-1), Palo Verde Magnet (2-2, 0-1), Santa Rita (0-4, 0-0), and Catalina (0-4, 0-1).
Tanque Verde seeding wins over Glendale Prep (40-26, Sept. 6), Phoenix Cortez (38-6, Sept. 13), and Palo Verde (38-6, Sept. 20) along with a loss to Phoenix Christian (13-26, Aug. 23).
Bisbee has wins over Phoenix Madison Highland (67-7, Aug. 30), Douglas (26-20, Sept. 6), and Catalina (26-0, Sept. 20) as well as a loss to Eloy Santa Cruz (7-30, Sept. 13).
Benson has wins over Phoenix Shadow Mountain (27-10, Aug. 23) and Tombstone (14-12, Sept. 20) along with losses to Phoenix Christian (20-22, Aug. 30) and Morenci (25-35, Sept. 6).
Willcox has a win over Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (18-16, Aug. 23) and losses to Tonopah Valley (20-65, Aug. 30), Show Low (7-21, Sept. 6), and Santa Rita (12-65, Sept. 20).
Tombstone has wins over San Carlos (58-6, Sept. 6) and Globe (34-7, Sept. 12) as well as losses to Laveen Heritage (6-7, Aug. 29) and Benson (12-14, Sept. 20).
Palo Verde has wins over Tucson Rincon/University (16-15, Sept. 6) and Scottsdale Coronado (43-0, Sept. 13) along with losses to Wellton Antelope Union (6-35, Aug. 30) and Tanque Verde (12-56, Sept. 20).
Santa Rita has losses to Globe (0-37, Aug. 30), California Winterhaven San Pasqual (14-48, Sept. 6), ALA-Anthem South (6-34, Sept. 13), and Willcox (12-65, Sept. 20).
Catalina has losses to Surprise Highland Prep (6-46, Aug. 23), Phoenix NFL Yet (8-17, Aug. 30), ALA-Anthem South (26-28, Sept 6), and Bisbee (0-26, Sept. 20).
This week, Tanque Verde hosts Catalina, Bisbee hosts Benson, Willcox hosts Tombstone, and Palo Verde hosts Santa Rita.
1A South Region
Region standings are Saint David (4-1 overall, 3-0 region), Elfrida Valley Union (3-1, 2-0), Fort Thomas (2-3, 2-1), Kearny Ray (2-3, 2-2), Duncan (1-3, 1-2), San Manuel (1-4, 1-3), and Sells Baboquivari (0-5, 0-4).
Saint David has seeding wins of Scottsdale Cicero Prep (60-6, Aug. 23), Baboquivari (70-22, Aug. 31), Ray (65-0, Sept. 6), and Duncan (59-8, Sept. 13) along with a loss to Heber Mogollon (36-66, Sept. 20).
Valley Union has wins over Baboquivari (24-13, Sept. 6), Ray (36-6, Sept. 13), and San Manuel (52-20, Sept. 20) as well as a to Glendale Desert Heights Prep (36-40, Aug. 23).
Fort Thomas wins over Baboquivari (36-20, Aug. 23) and Duncan (58-36, Aug. 30) along with losses to Chandler Lincoln Prep (6-40, Sept. 6), San Manuel (32-40, Sept. 13), and Superior (22-50, Sept. 20).
Ray has wins over San Manuel (32-12, Aug. 30) and Baboquivari (40-22, Sept. 20) as well as losses to Heber Mogollon (6-52, Aug. 23), Saint David (0-65, Sept. 6), and Valley Union (6-36, Sept. 13).
Duncan has a win over San Manuel (22-16, Sept. 6) and losses to Lordsburg, NM (66-98, Aug. 23), Fort Thomas (36-58, Aug. 30), and Saint David (8-59, Sept. 13).
San Manuel has a win over Fort Thomas (40-32, Sept. 13) along with losses to Chandler Lincoln Prep (6-14, Aug. 23), Ray (12-32, Aug. 30), Duncan (16-22, Sept. 6), and Valley Union (20-52, Sept. 20).
Baboquivari has losses to Fort Thomas (20-36, Aug. 23), Saint David (22-70, Aug. 30), Valley Union (13-24, Sept. 6), Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated (12-45, Sept. 13), and Ray (22-40, Sept. 20).
This week, Saint David visits Valley Union, Fort Thomas visits Ray, Duncan visits Baboquivari, and San Manuel hosts Scottsdale Cicero Prep.
