Riders, Kats, Apaches, Cowboys open on Friday
By Raymundo Frasquillo
SAFFORD – The Ismael MacNeil-coached Safford Bulldogs host the Frankie Gonzalez-coached Morenci Wildcats for the 2026 football season opener on Thursday, Aug. 20. The contest is on Herman BB Andrews Track and Field with kick-off set for 7 p.m.
It is the teams’ 51st meeting since the end of World War II. Safford leads the series 36-13-1 and has a 17-9 (865-493) average score per game. This is also the fifth time the Wildcats and Bulldogs have met for a season opener in the most recent nine pairings.
The teams are deadlocked 2-2 in the most recent four meetings; however, Safford is 5-3 in eight (2011-26) 21st Century pairings, while Morenci has a slight edge in scoring, averaging 20-19 (160-154) per game, or a 1-point margin.
Morenci prevailed 20-14 (Aug. 22, 2025), 44-0 (Sept. 2, 2022), and 29-21 (Aug. 24, 2012) while Safford won 13-12 (Oct. 4, 2024), 26-14 (Sept. 29, 2023), 32-13 (Sept. 5, 2014), 22-14 (Sept. 16, 2013), and 26-14 (Aug. 26, 2011).
The Wildcats have the largest margin, 44-0 (Sept. 2, 2022), on Herman BB Andrews Track and Field, while Safford has a 42-0 (Sept. 29, 1979) score on ‘the Hill.’ Morenci has four shutouts while Safford has 12. The Oct. 16, 1964 contest ended tied 0-0 in Morenci.
Thatcher opens in Queen Creek versus the 3A Metro Region American Leadership – Ironwood Warriors on Aug. 20, Pima opens at home against 2A Metro 3 Region Scottsdale Christian on Friday, Aug. 21, Duncan opens in the Land of Enchantment against the District 4 Lordsburg Mavericks on Aug. 21, Fort Thomas opens in Salome against the 1A West Region Frogs on Aug. 21, and Willcox opens at home against the 2A South 1 Region Tucson Palo Verde Magnet Titans on Aug. 21.
2A East Region Morenci Wildcats
Home: Lawson Stadium
The Wildcats finished 7-5 overall in 2025 and are 10-12 overall, 2-6 region, 1-1 state, and 7-5 in Lawson Stadium during two seasons (2024-25) under Frankie Gonzalez.
Morenci is a 7-time state finalist. The Wildcats were the 3A state champion in 1976 and a 6-time state runner-up, once in 3A (1973), four times in 2A (1984, 1992, 2021, 2022) and once in Division V (2012).
The Wildcats visit the Tucson Tanque Verde Hawks on Aug. 28, host the 2A South 2 Region Willcox Cowboys (Sept. 4), visit the 2A South 1 Region Bisbee Pumas (Sept. 11), host the Globe Tigers (Sept. 18) and the 2A South 2 Region Benson Bobcats (Sept. 25), visit the Miami Vandals (Oct. 2), and host the Pima Roughriders (Oct. 9) and the Saint Johns Redskins (Oct. 16).
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), 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).
Returning East All-Region Second Team honorees include linebacker Joshwa Sandoval and offensive and defensive lineman James Davis V; and Honorable Mention running back Jeremya Cruz and quarterback Deegan Miller.
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.
3A East Region Safford Bulldogs
Home: Herman BB Andrews Track and Field
The Bulldogs finished 2-8 overall and 1-5 in the region for sixth of seven during the initial season under Ismael MacNeil.
Safford is a 4-time state finalist, twice a state champion in 4A (1969, 1971) and twice a runner-up, once in 4A (1970) and once in 3A (1982).
The Bulldogs visit the 3A Mountain Region Lakeside Blue Ridge Yellow Jackets on Aug. 28 and the 3A Metro Region Chandler Seton Catholic Prep Sentinels (Sept. 4), host the 3A North Region Winslow Bulldogs (Sept. 11) and Coolidge Bears (Sept. 18), visit the San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills Sabercats (Sept. 25), host the Thatcher Eagles (Oct. 1), visit the Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian Lions (Oct. 16) and the Florence Gophers (Oct. 23), and host the Tucson Sabino Sabercats (Oct. 29).
The Bulldogs are competing in the 7-team 3A East Region with the Coolidge Bears, the Florence Gophers, the San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills Sabercats, the Thatcher Eagles, and Tucson schools the Pusch Ridge Christian Lions and the Sabino Sabercats.
There are 29 Bulldogs on the roster, including nine seniors, 12 juniors, and eight sophomores. The seniors are Boston Arbizo (55), Andrew Baker (26), Aaron Barnes (4), Mario Chavez (50), Mateo Chavez (5), Jacob Gomez (56), Lamarr Ellis (2), Dane Jacobson (0), and Aries Peru (70); juniors Cooper Canter (30), Emilio Esquivel (64), Chris Garcia (77), Imani Garcia (12), Sam Harmon (10), Eric Legarda (54), Steven Lemley (65), Ryett Lopez (6), Tristen Ogas (73), Anthony Orellana (58), Juan Ramirez (7), and Parker Whisman (1); and sophomores Juanito Blancarte (20), Tyler Brogan (9), Gunnar Crocket (40), Kyler Decker (21), Joe Maldonado (60), Drake Miller (11), Ryder Rios (8), Jacob Ruiz Jr. (3).
Returning All-Region East First Team honorees include receiver/tight end Lamarr Ellis; Second Team defensive back Lamarr Ellis; and Honorable Mention defensive lineman Mario Chavez, defensive back Matteo Chavez, receiver/tight end Dane Jacobson, and defensive lineman Aries Peru.
3A East Region Thatcher Eagles
Home: EAC’s Mickelson Stadium
The Eagles finished 9-2 in 2025 and are 52-19 overall, 24-4 region, 7-6 state, and 28-9 at home under seventh-year (2020-26) head coach Daniel Jones. The Eagles averaged a 33-17 (2,289-1,208) score per game or a 15-point margin during the previous six seasons, and were ranked No. 10 (2020), No. 2 (2021), No. 1 (2022), No. 7 (2023), No. 3 (2024), and No. 4 (2025) in 3A.
Thatcher is a 12-time state finalist. The Eagles were 9-time state champions in 2A (1986, 1988, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2016, 2017, 2018) and 3-time state runners-up, twice in 2A (1989, 1995) and once in 3A (2022).
The Eagles host the 3A Mountain Region Apache Junction Prospectors on Aug. 28, the 3A Metro Region Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin Chargers (Sept. 4), and the Florence Gophers (Sept. 10), visit the Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian Lions (Sept. 25) and the Safford Bulldogs (Oct. 1), host the San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills Sabercats (Oct. 8), visit the 3A Mountain Region Payson Longhorns (Oct. 16) and the Tucson Sabino Sabercats (Oct. 23), and host the Coolidge Bears (Oct. 30).
There are 45 Eagles on the roster, including 13 seniors, 14 juniors, 17 sophomores, and one freshman.
The seniors Vincent Bejarano (52), Hunter Burkett (13), Hudson Conrad (1), Teagan Damron (30), Kaesen Estes (67), Ethan Hayes (0), Brock Innes (65), Ryzer Jacques (9), Josh Jones (24), Grady Lehmann (55), Branden Rios (73), Brig Romney (5), and Tufden Taylor (10); juniors Holston Conrad (58), Gabriel Dixson (28), Waldo Gutierrez III (34), Caleb Hoisington (7), Marco Martinez (14), Jackson Mocaby (78), Clancy Mullenaux (54), Joshua Nicholas (77), Jacob Ortiz (4), Matthew Ortiz (22), Ryker Romero (2), Kase Palmer (12), Jax Shupe (6), and Ritter Smouse (8); sophomores Rafe Allred (32), Dax Carter (16), Miles Curley (56), Colt Daley (3), Zayden Gonzales (21), Zarek Hales (81), Aiden Labrum (15), Brycen Murphy (20), Marcus Navarrete (57/75), Brayden Nelson (99), Kayson Richins (18), Bryce Riney (31), Hoyt Romero (60), Jacob Scott (23), Spencer Smith (50), Isaac Udall (27), and Jayleon Way (11); and freshman Willie Dunklin (88).
Returning All-Region East First Team honorees include offensive lineman Brock Innes; Second Team long snapper Teagan Damron, punt returner Josh Jones, receiver/tight end Hudson Conrad, receiver/tight end Ryker Romero; and Honorable Mention offensive lineman Vincent Bejarano and defensive lineman Ethan Hayes. Daniel Jones was the region Coach-of-the-Year.
The Eagles are competing in the 7-team 3A East Region with the Coolidge Bears, the Florence Gophers, the Safford Bulldogs, the San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills Sabercats, and Tucson schools the Pusch Ridge Christian Lions and the Sabino Sabercats.
2A East Region Pima Roughriders
The Roughriders are 33-7 overall, 14-1 region, 7-3 state, 24-4 at home during four seasons (2022-25) under fifth-year Josh Wilkins.
Pima is a state finalist 21 times, a 10-time state champion and 11-time state runner-up. The titles were once in 2A (2022), once in Division VI (2015), and eight times in 1A (1961, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1984, 2004, 2005). The second-place finishes were twice in 2A (2023, 2024), once in Division VI (2012), and eight times in 1A (1965, 1968, 1971, 1982, 1983, 2003, 2007, 2008).
The Roughriders host the 2A South 1 Region Tombstone Yellow Jackets on Aug. 28, visits the 2A North Region Eagar Round Valley Elks (Sept. 4), the 2A South 2 Region Willcox Cowboys (Sept. 11), and Saint Johns Redskins (Sept. 18), host the Miami Vandals (Sept. 25) and the Globe Tigers (Oct. 2), visit the Morenci Wildcats (Oct. 9), and host the 2A Metro 2 Region Sierra Vista American Leadership Guardians (Oct. 16).
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.
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).
Returning East All-Region First Team honorees include Defensive Player-of-the-Year and linebacker Joe Palmer plus offensive lineman Hollen Hoopes; Second Team linebacker Adam Bryce, defensive lineman Jax Haws, and defensive back Emmet McBiles; and Honorable Mention quarterback Cedrick Grimes, quarterback Ryett McBiles, defensive back Gilbert Bryce, wide receiver Mason Skinner, linebacker Keegan Espinoza, and linebacker Kaden Davis.
2A East Region Willcox Cowboys
Home: Cowboys Stadium
First-year head coach Steven Ward is guiding Willcox this season. The Cowboys finished 17-6 overall, 9-1 in the region, 2-2 at state, and 10-2 at home during two seasons under Jeston Lott.
Willcox is a 6-time state finalist. The Cowboys were the 3A state champion in 1982 and a 5-time state runner-up, thrice in 2A (1964, 1986, 2009) and twice in 3A (1977, 1978).
The Cowboys host the Phoenix Arizona Lutheran Coyotes on Aug. 28, visit the 2A East Region Morenci Wildcats (Sept. 4), host the 2A East Region Pima Roughriders (Sept. 11), visit Tombstone Yellow Jackets (Sept. 18), the 2A Metro 2 Region Scottsdale Prep Spartans (Sept. 25), and the Tucson Desert Christian Eagles (Oct. 2), host the Eloy Santa Cruz Dust Devils (Oct. 9) and visit the Benson Bobcats (Oct. 16).
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.
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).
Returning All-Region South 2 honorees include Defensive Player of the Year and First Team linebacker/running back Caleb Cooke, defensive back and receiver/tight end Da’Marion Jackson, and offensive lineman Alan Allred; Second Team defensive back Eli Nelson and linebacker Asher Ward; and Honorable Mention quarterback Robert Hill Jr., linebacker Anthony Morales, and receiver/tight end Rhett Rogers.
1A South Region Duncan Wildkats
Home: Packer Field
The Wildkats finished 4-5 overall for No. 14 and 2-2 in the region for third of four in 2025, and are 6-19 overall, 4-12 in the region, and 5-9 on Packer Field during three seasons (2023-25) under fourth-year head coach Dan Coats.
Duncan visits the Fort Thomas Apaches on Aug. 28, host the Elfrida Valley Union Blue Devils (Sept. 4) and the Saint David Tigers (Sept. 11), and 1A Independent Phoenix Maryvale Prep Matadors (Sept. 18), visit the Sells Baboquivari Warriors (Sept. 25) and the 1A East Region Kearny Ray Bearcats (Oct. 2), and host the 1A East Region San Manuel Miners (Oct. 9) and the 1A East Region Winkelman Hayden Lobos (Oct. 16).
The Wildkats are competing in the 5-team 1A South Region with Elfrida Valley Union Blue Devils, the Fort Thomas Apaches, the Saint David Tigers, and the Sells Baboquivari Warriors.
1A South Region Fort Thomas Apaches
Home: Eldon Randall Stadium
Wil Hinton Field
The Apaches finished 1-7 overall for No. 18 and 1-3 in the region for fourth of four in 2025, and are 5-20 overall, 3-13 in the region, and 3-9 at home during three seasons (2023-25) under fourth-year head coach Evan Stringfellow.
Fort Thomas hosts the Duncan Wildkats on Aug. 28, visits the Sells Baboquivari Warriors (Sept. 4), hosts the 1A West Region Glendale Desert Heights Prep Coyotes (Sept. 11) and 1A East Region Superior Panthers (Sept. 18), visit the 1A East Region Kearny Ray Bearcats (Sept. 25), hosts the Elfrida Valley Union Blue Devils (Oct. 2), and visits the Saint David Tigers (Oct. 9) and the 1A Independent Phoenix Maryvale Prep Matadors (Oct. 16).
The Apaches are 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.
