Saint Johns draws Tanque Verde in Phoenix
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MESA – The Jeston Lott-coached No. 6 Willcox Cowboys (10-2 overall, 11.1884 rating) face the Mike Sheahan-coached No. 2 Scottsdale Christian Eagles (11-1, 16.9209) on the American Leadership – Mesa North campus, 5901 East Thomas Road. The 2A semifinal pairing of 3-0 South 2 Regionchampion versus 5-0 Metro 3 Region champion has a 6 p.m. start on Saturday, Nov. 22.
At the same time in another part of Maricopa County, the Lon Dingbatt-coached No. 4 Saint Johns Redskins (11-1, 15.2831) meet the Jeffrey Bollnow-coached No. 9 Tucson Tanque Verde Hawks (11-2 overall, 9.0806 rating) on the Tempe McClintock campus, 1830 East Del Rio Drive. The 2A semifinal pairing has 4-0 East Region champion versus 4-0 South 1 Region champion.
Willcox ousted No. 14 Benson Bobcats (8-5, 5.5877) 26-6 during quarterfinals on Nov. 14 and No. 11 Glendale Trivium Prep (8-4, 7.5515) 55-6 during the second round on Nov. 7 while Scottsdale Christian eliminated No. 7 Gilbert San Tan Charter (9-2, 10.2541) 14-7 and No. 15 Morenci (7-5, 5.2989) 55-0 in the same rounds, respectively, of the lower bracket.
In the upper bracket, Saint Johns eliminated No. 5 Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (10-2, 13.2259) 13-10 during the quarterfinals and No. 13 Chandler Prep (8-4, 5.9088) 73-21 during the second round while Tanque Verde upset No. 1 Phoenix Veritas Prep (11-1, 19.7236) 28-23 during the quarterfinals and No. 8 Camp Verde (7-4, 9.1713) 39-15 during the second round, and ousted No. 24 Tonopah Valley (4-7, minus 2.1343) 43-6 during the first round on Oct. 31.
The top ranked team has qualified for the title game in three of the most recent five seasons (2020-24), winning once. Six quarterfinal winners have ended as finalists during that span.
It was No. 12 Scottsdale Christian 28-27 over No. 3 Pima in 2024, No. 3 Scottsdale Christian 41-24 over No. 1 Pima in 2023, No. 1 Pima 59-19 over No. 2 Morenci in 2022, No. 2 Arizona Lutheran 28-14 over No. 4 Morenci in 2021, and No. 3 Santa Cruz 42-7 over No. 1 Benson in 2020.
2A State Play-offs, Semifinals (Nov. 22)
It is No. 6 Willcox (10-2) versus No. 2 Scottsdale Christian (11-1) at American Leadership – Mesa North and
No. 4 Saint Johns (11-1) versus No. 9 Tucson Tanque Verde (11-2) at Tempe McClintock, both for 6 p.m. starts.
The semifinal winners meet for the state title at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29. The Phoenix Mountain Pointe campus, 4201 East Knox Road, is the site.
No. 6 Willcox (10-2) vs. No. 2 Scottsdale Christian (11-1)
Scottsdale Christian had six of its 10 opponents in the post-season, three in the Top 8 with No. 3 Phoenix Christian (8-2), No. 5 Arizona Lutheran (9-1), and No. 8 Camp Verde (7-3); and three in Nos. 10-24 with No. 10 Pima (7-4), No. 16 Glendale Prep (7-4) and No. 24 Tonopah Valley (4-7). The Eagles’ 10 opponents went a combined 60-43. Five opponents remain in the second round.
The Eagles gained 3,915 offensive yards during 10 games, averaging 21.8 (100-2,182) yards on 100-156 passes with five interceptions and 7.9 (219-1,733) yards rushing. Touchdowns scored have totaled 62, 33 passing and 29 rushing.
Seven of Willcox’s 10 regular season opponents finished ranked in the 2A Top 21, one in the Top 8 with No. 5 Arizona Lutheran (9-1); and six from Nos. 9-21 with No. 9 Tanque Verde (9-2), No. 10 Pima (7-4), No. 14 Benson (7-4), No. 15 Morenci (7-4), No. 17 Santa Cruz (6-5), and No. 21 Scottsdale Prep (5-6). The Cowboys’ 10 opponents posted a combined regular season record of 56-42. Six were in the second round and four are in the quarterfinals.
The Cowboys have gained 4,210 offensive yards during 12 games, averaging 20.0 (48-959) yards on 48-100 passes with eight interceptions and 8.5 (382-3,251) yards rushing. Touchdowns scored have totaled 46, seven passing and 39 rushing.
No. 2 SCOTTSDALE CHRISTIAN Eagles (16.9209 rating)
The Mike Sheahan-coached Eagles (11-1 overall, 5-0 Metro 3 Region for first of six) averaged a score of 34-16 (405-188) per game or an 18-point Margin after 12 games.
Scottsdale Christian had wins over East Region Pima (33-6, Aug. 21), Metro 5 Region Tonopah Valley (44-0, Aug. 29), Phoenix Bourgade Catholic (55-7, Sept. 6), Metro 5 Region Glendale Prep (56-14, Sept. 12), Fountain Hills (63-3, Sept. 19), Chino Valley (61-6, Sept. 24), Phoenix Cortez (56-8, Oct. 3), Metro 4 Region Phoenix Christian (41-34, Oct. 11), Camp Verde (49-14, Oct. 17), No. 15 Morenci )55-0, Nov. 7), and No. 7 Gilbert San Tan Charter (14-7, Nov. 14). The loss was to Metro 2 Region Arizona Lutheran (21-35, Oct. 24).
The Eagles list a 53-member roster with 14 seniors, 10 juniors, 18 sophomores, and 11 freshmen. Seniors include Jack Filby (19), Brody Flowers (0), Sean Helgeson (4), Trey Houglum (58), Joseph Kassisieh (50), Landon Larkey (77), Bennett Libby (55), Logan Liston (56), Cade McKee (66), Abraham Ortega (53), Martin Perez (18), Everett Salazar (25), Jesse Scholtes (17), and Isaiah Steffen (2); juniors Danny Beran (33), Dom Dickerson (1), Dylan Dufek (24), Garrett Guarraia (45), Caleb Murphy (8), Kyle Olafson (3), London Olsen (54), Max Pflederer (7), Isaiah Phifer (11), and Sam Watkins (64); sophomores Nathaniel Elrod (6), Michael Fox (14), Hayden Gibbons (88), Isaac Hammon (35), Brian Helgeson (13), James Liakatas (62), Carter Loop (12), Liam Martz (16), Isaac Machain (30), Harrison Mings (34), Danny Owen (68), Ethan Peterson (69), Carson Reed (9), Jayce Reeter (5), Angelo Scappaticci (15), and Jack Schrey (70); and freshmen Nixon Bair (28), Levi Begeman (26), Cooper Craigs (23), Logan Flaherty (10), Joshua Gayman (63), Bryce Horton (47), Brock Libby (87), Sully Reader (22), Hudson Spencer (71), Ben Watkins (20), and Mason Williams (31).
Scottsdale Christian competed in the 6-member 2A Metro 3 Region with the Camp Verde Cowboys, the Chino Valley Cougars, the Fountain Hills Falcons, Phoenix Bourgade Catholic Golden Eagles and the Phoenix Cortez Colts.
No. 6 WILLCOX Cowboys (11.1884 rating)
The Jeston Lotts-coached Cowboys (10-2 overall, 3-0 South 2 Regionfor first of four) averaged a score of 33-12 (397-141) per game or a 21-point margin for 12 games.
Willcox has wins over 2A South 1 Region Tucson Palo Verde Magnet(49-0, Aug. 22), 2A East Region Morenci (23-14, Sept. 5), 2A East Region Pima (7-0, Sept. 12), 2A South 1 Region Tombstone (49-0, Sept. 19), 2A Metro 2 Region Scottsdale Prep (48-14, Sept. 26), Tucson Desert Christian(58-0, Oct. 3), Eloy Santa Cruz (42-23, Oct. 10), Benson (26-17, Oct. 17),No. 11 Glendale Trivium Prep (55-6, Nov. 7), and No. 14 Benson (26-6, Nov. 14). The losses were to Metro 2 Region Phoenix Arizona Lutheran(0-19, Aug. 29), and 2A South 1 Region Tucson Tanque Verde (14-42, Oct. 24).
The Cowboys have a 37-member roster with 15 seniors, six juniors, 15 sophomores, and one freshman. Seniors include Travis Allred (71), Nathan Avila (66), Cooper Burright (75), Jayden Callahan (18), Kody Caruso (42), Ismael Cuevas (13), Jesus Duran (9), Marco Fierro (77),Randy Hill (19), Wilder Lopez (8), Kevin Miranda (76), Austin Nuzzo (74), Joseph Sanchez (3), Vlad Semyanko (58), and Christian Teeters (73); juniors Alan Allred (50), Kaleb Cooke (6), Da’Marion Jackson (11), Anthony Morales (7), Eli Nelson (2), and Rhett Rogers (10); sophomores Marciano Chacon (48), Wyatt Cooke (56), Jacob Green (52), Robert HillJr. (5), Pete Kingman (61), Tyler Larson (31), Saul Medina (33), NathanMoore (12), Omar Moreno (20), Christian Noland (44), Steele Romney (22), Nathaniel Tedla (35), Ruger Todd (34), Asher Ward (21), and CarlWyatt (72); and freshmen Brenndon Douglas (79).
Willcox competed in the 4-member 2A South 2 Region with the BensonBobcats, the Eloy Santa Cruz Dust Devils, and the Tucson Desert Christian Eagles.
No. 9 Tanque Verde (11-2) vs. No. 4 Saint Johns (11-1)
Tanque Verde had five of its 10 opponents in the post-season, two in the Top 8 with No. 3 Phoenix Christian (8-2) and No. 6 Willcox (8-2); and three in Nos. 11-15 with No. 11 Glendale Trivium Prep (7-3), No. 14 Benson (6-4), and No. 15 Morenci (6-4).
The Hawks’ 10 opponents went a combined 48-50. Three opponents bowed out in the second round, one in the quarterfinals, and one remainsin the semifinal round.
Tanque Verde gained 4,187 offensive yards during 12 games, averaging 18.9 (84-1,586) yards on 84-161 passes with six interceptions and 7.3(358-2,601) yards rushing. Touchdowns scored have totaled 67, 19 passing and 49 rushing.
Defensively, the Hawks recorded194 quarterback sacks, 23 pass deflections, 15 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries, and a blocked field goal attempt.
Eight of Saint Johns’ 10 regular season opponents finished ranked in theTop 24, seven in 2A and one in 3A. The 2A teams were No. 7 Gilbert San Tan Charter (8-2), No. 10 Pima (6-4), No. 15 Morenci (6-4), No. 17 Eloy Santa Cruz (5-5), No. 19 Globe (6-4), No. 20 Whiteriver Alchesay (7-3), and No. 23 Holbrook (5-6). Eagar Rouind Valley (9-1) was the 3A team.
The Redskins’ 10 opponents posted a combined regular season record of 55-45, 46-34 in 2A and 9-11 in 3A. Nine qualified for the post-season, two were eliminated in the first round, four in the second round, one in the quarterfinals, and two remain in the semifinals.
Saint Johns has gained 3,950 offensive yards during 12 games, averaging 14.5 (60-872) yards on 60-120 passes with six interceptions and 7.8 (395-3,780) yards rushing. Touchdowns scored have totaled 64, 14 passing and 50 rushing.
Defensively, the Redskins posted 24 quarterback sacks, 24 pass deflections, 13 interceptions, 24 fumble recoveries, and two blocked field goal attempts.
TANQUE VERDE Hawks (9.0860 rating)
The Jeffrey Bollnow-Hawks (11-2 overall, 4-0 South 2 Region for first of five) have averaged a score of 43-13 (553-165) per game or a 30-pointmargin through 13 games.
Tanque Verde defeated 2A East Region Morenci (24-16, Aug. 29), Palo Verde Magnet (69-0, Sept. 52), 2A Metro 4 Region Glendale Trivium Prep (38-0, Sept. 18), Santa Rita (59-6, Sept. 26), Bisbee (62-8, Oct. 3), 2A Metro 4 Region Surprise Highland Prep (57-0, Oct. 10), Tombstone (64-0, Oct. 17), 2A South 2 Region Willcox (42-14, Oct. 24), No. 24 Tonopah Valley (43-6, Oct. 31), No. 8 Camp Verde (39-15, Nov. 7), and No. 1 Phoenix Veritas Prep (28-23, Nov. 14). The losses were to 2AMetro 4 Region Phoenix Christian (7-47, Aug. 22) and 2A East Region Benson (21-30, Sept. 12).
The Wildcats list a 37-member roster with 11 seniors, five juniors, 14sophomores, and seven freshmen. Seniors include Julian Aragon (13),Zachary Biggs (66), Michael Chavez (50), Dean Chee (65), Isaiah Cook(77), Jaymz Guzzo (4), Derick Lytle (9), Andre McCauley (12), Richard Rodriguez (7), Anthony Rogers (11), and Kiano Torres (3); juniors Joel Baca (28), Mason Clark (17), Camron Dodson (55), Jesse Strickland (70),and Heston Winters (88); sophomores Jacob Bracamonte (21), Brennen Burkhead (5), Jeremya Cruz (8), James Davis (59), Eli Laney (1), David Licano (78), Braxton Merrill (18), Deegan Miller (10), Zane Randle (72), Joseph Rodriguez (23), Hunter Roumell (68), Joshwa Sandoval (52), and Loghan Szymanski (75); and freshmen Kyson Abril (6), Andres Aguilera(51), Daniel Gray (79), Bryden Herrera (74), Ceejay Madrid (60), Damian Paz (40), and Keston Armstrong (2).
Tanque Verde competed in the 5-member 2A South 1 Region with the Bisbee Pumas, the Tombstone Yellow Jackets, and Tucson schools the Palo Verde Magnet Titans and the Santa Rita Eagles.
SAINT JOHNS Redskins (15.2831 rating)
The Lon Dingbatt-coached Redskins (11-1 overall, 4-0 2A East Regionfor first of five) averaged a score per game of 42-13 (500-155) or a 29-point margin through 12 games.
Saint Johns had wins over 3A North Region Monument Valley (63-0, Aug.22), 2A North 1 Region Holbrook (67-12, Aug. 29), 2A South 2 Region Eloy Santa Cruz (49-0, Sept. 5), Pima (16-12, Sept. 19), 2A East Region Globe (41-0, Sept. 26), 2A North 2 Region Whiteriver Alchesay (49-7, Oct. 3), Miami (59-0, Oct. 10), Morenci (21-12, Oct. 17), 2A Metro 1 Region Gilbert San Tan Charter (28-27 OT, Oct. 24), No. 13 Chandler Prep (73-21, Nov. 7), and No. 5 Arizona Lutheran (13-10, Nov. 14). The loss was to 3A Mountain Region Eagar Round Valley (21-38, Sept. 12).
The Redskins list a 29-member roster with 13 seniors, eight juniors, four sophomores, and four freshmen. Seniors include Adam Farmer (64), Cael Hancock (62), Oscar Jaramillo (8), Hector Mireles (69), Trace Nielsen (4), Jose Pena (26), Colten Platt (50), T Platt (7), Jude Raban (3), Bryson Slade (44), Carson Thomas (60), Malachi West (77), and Sam Winters (1); juniors Bridgen Heap (2), Cooper Travis Heap (19), Anthony Lahman (74), Nik Morales (55), Casiel Nunez (75), Alhan Tryon (6), Kaden Waite (10), Landon Willis (11); sophomores Mason Ellington (18), Carson Knight (84), Brigham Patterson (5), and Nico Pena (54); and freshmen Brant Hammond (33), Cooper Aaron Heap (9), Cooper Aaron Heap (15), and Cruz Hunt (70).
Saint Johns competed in the 5-member 2A East Region with the Globe Tigers, the Morenci Wildcats, the Miami Vandals, and the PimaRoughriders.
2A State Play-offs, Quarterfinals (Nov. 14)
The Top ranked team was upset by No. 9 during the quarterfinals, 28-23. Ninth ranked Tucson Tanque Verde upset No. 1 Phoenix Veritas Prep (11-1, 19.7236) 28-23 and No. 4 Saint Johns slipped past No. 5 Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (10-2, 13.2259).
Willcox ousted No. 14 Benson Bobcats (8-5, 5.5877) 26-6 and No. 2 Scottsdale Christian eliminated No. 7 Gilbert San Tan Charter (9-2, 10.2541) 14-7.
2A State Play-offs, Second Round (Nov. 7)
There were two upsets during the second round, No. 9 Tanque Verde over No. 8 Camp Verde 39-15 and No. 14 Benson over No. 3 Phoenix Christian 35-21.
Eliminated in the upper bracket were No. 17 Santa Cruz (6-6, 2.6443), 35-7 by No. 1 Phoenix Veritas Prep, No. 8 Camp Verde (7-4, 9.1713), 39-15 by No. 9 Tucson Tanque Verde, No. 12 Parker (8-3, 6.9454), 38-8 by No. 5 Phoenix Arizona Lutheran, and No. 13 Chandler Prep (8-4, 5.9088) 73-21 by No. 4 Saint Johns.
Ousted in the lower bracket were No. 3 Phoenix Christian (8-3, 15.3333) 35-21 by No. 14 Benson, No. 11 Glendale Trivium Prep (8-4, 7.5515) 55-6 by No. 6 Willcox, No. 10 Pima (7-5, 6.9312) 27-9 by No. 7 Gilbert San Tan Charter, and No. 15 Morenci (7-5, 5.2989) 55-0 by No. 2 Scottsdale Christian.
2A State Play-offs, First Round (Oct. 31)
There was a lone upset during first round pairings, lower seed Santa Cruz over Glendale Prep 66-50.
Upper bracket pairings had No. 17 Eloy Santa Cruz (6-5) 66-50 over No. 16 Glendale Prep (7-4), No. 9 Tucson Tanque Verde (9-2) 43-6 over No. 24 Tonopah Valley (4-7), No. 12 Parker (7-2) 37-14 over No. 21 Scottsdale Prep (4-7), and No. 13 Chandler Prep (8-3) 26-21 over No. 20 Whiteriver Alchesay (7-4).
The lower bracket pairings had No. 14 Benson (7-4) 49-6 over No. 19 Globe (6-5), No. 11 Glendale Trivium Prep (8-3) 42-34 over No. 22 Wittmann Mountainside (6-5), No. 10 Pima (7-4) 47-6 over No. 23 Holbrook (6-5), and No. 15 Morenci (7-4) 45-6 over No. 18 Tuba City (7-4).
2A State Rankings
The final seedings for the Top 24 of 51 2A teams, released on Oct. 25, were Phoenix Veritas Prep (10-0 overall, 19.7236 rating) No. 1, Scottsdale Christian (9-1, 16.9209) No. 2, Phoenix Christian (8-2, 15.3333) No. 3, Saint Johns (9-1, 15.2831) No. 4, Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (9-1, 13.2259) No. 5, Willcox (8-2, 11.1884) No. 6, Gilbert San Tan Charter (8-2, 10.2541) No. 7, and Camp Verde (7-3, 9.1713) No. 8.
Tucson Tanque Verde (8-2, 9.0806) was No. 9, Pima (6-4, 8.3872) No.10, Glendale Trivium Prep (7-3, 7.5515) No. 11, Parker (7-2, 6.9454) No. 12, Chandler Prep (7-3, 5.9088) No. 13, Benson (6-4, 5.5877) No. 14,Morenci (6-4, 5.2989) No. 15, and Glendale Prep (7-3, 4.6366) No. 16.
Eloy Santa Cruz (5-5, 2.6443) was No. 17, Tuba City (7-3, 0.9144) No. 18, Globe (6-4, 0.6746) No. 19, Whiteriver Alchesay (7-3, 0.4518) No. 20,Scottsdale Prep (4-5, 0.3591) No. 21, Wittmann Mountainside (6-4, 0.3062) No. 22, Holbrook (6-4, minus 0.0507) No. 23, and Tonopah Valley (4-6, minus 2.1343) No. 24.
No. 6 Willcox – 26, No. 14 Benson – 6
“We were told they (Benson) had a too high-powered offense we couldn’t stop,” Willcox head coach Jeston Lotts said.
Benson entered Cowboys Stadium with 4,093 total offensive yardsduring 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 have 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.
Additionally, Benson’s quarterback was sacked 11 times.
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.
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.
“We were flying around all night,” senior lineman Christian Teeters added.
Benson senior Dawson Judd connected with junior Jason Santo on 4th-and-25 to light up its side of the scoreboard with 15.8 seconds left 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 members for Willcox 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 Bobcatsenior 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.
