Eagles, Apaches, Riders, Cowboys at home

Cats, Kats, Dawgs have road trips on Friday

By Raymundo Frasquillo

THATCHER – The Daniel Jones-coached Thatcher Eagles host 3A Mountain Region Apache Junction Prospectors on Friday, Aug. 28. The kick-off on John Mickelson Field is 7 p.m.

This Week

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Referee Brian Avila watches the coin ascend during the mid-field toss prior to the start of the game. Safford seniors Matteo Chavez (5), Dane Jacobson (0), Mario Chavez (50), and Lamarr Ellis (2); Morenci captains, senior Camron Dodson (55), juniors James Davis V (59) and Joshwa Sandoval (9), and sophomore Brysen Herrera (77), as well as umpire John Figueroa witnessed the flip and landing.

Fort Thomas (0-1) hosts Duncan (0-1), Pima (0-1) hosts Tombstone (1-0), Thatcher (1-0) hosts Apache Junction (0-1), and Willcox (1-0) hosts Arizona Lutheran (1-0) while Morenci (0-1) visits Tucson Tanque Verde (0-1), Safford (1-0) visits Lakeside Blue Ridge (1-0) on Aug. 28,

Last Week

Thatcher defeated the 3A Metro Region Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood Warriors 33-6 (Aug. 20) and Willcox defeated the 2A South 1 Region Tucson Palo Verde Magnet Titans 54-0 (Aug. 21) while Morenci succumbed 0-44 to the 3A South Region Safford Bulldogs (Aug. 20), Pima fell 7-32 to the 2A Metro 3 Region Scottsdale Christian Eagles (Aug. 21), Duncan succumbed 14-48 to the District 4 Lordsburg Mavericks (Aug. 21), and Fort Thomas fell 0-50 to the 1A West Region Salome Frogs (Aug. 21).

3A East Region Thatcher Eagles (1-0)

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.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Jordan Matthews applies the finishing touches to some facial art on herself. The Safford senior Art Club member is one of several students selling face painting and henna south of the bleachers prior to home football games.

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).

The Eagles host 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).

Thatcher is 53-19 overall under seventh-year (2020-26) head coach Daniel Jones.

3A East Region Safford Bulldogs (1-0)

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Merrick Cope gets the attention of the Bulldog Band marching across the field. The Safford senior directed its halftime performance along the home sideline.*

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 34 Bulldogs on the roster, including nine seniors, 12 juniors, 11 sophomores, and two freshmen. The seniors 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); sophomores Juanito Blancarte (20), Tyler Brogan (9), Matthew Contreras (75), Gunnar Crocket (40), Kyler Decker (21), Diego Gonzalez (23), Joe Maldonado (60), Drake Miller (11), Ryder Rios (8), Jacob Ruiz Jr. (3), and Dale Vargas Jr. (13); and freshmen Noah Jurado (33) and Paxton Merrick (44).

The Bulldogs visit 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).

Safford is 3-8 overall under second-year (2025-26) head coach Ismael MacNeil.

2A East Region Morenci Wildcats (0-1)

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Gunner Barron (5) looks for running room against Safford defenders Ryder Rios (8) and Lamarr Ellis (2). The Morenci freshman averaged 4.2 (13-54) yards per carry during his initial varsity game. Morenci averaged 4.5 (24-108) yards as a team.

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.

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).

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: A ball-jarring tackle caused a fumble, and Safford recovered five during the game. Andrew Baker (26), Matteo Chavez (5), Emilio Esquivel (64), Dane Jacobson (0), and Steven Lemley (65) each made a recovery.

The Wildcats 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).

The Wildcats are 10-13 overall under third-year (2024-26) Morenci head coach Frankie Gonzalez.

2A East Region Pima Roughriders (0-1)

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.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Parker Whisman (1) called his own number to average 5.5 (16-88) yards with a touchdown against Morenci. The Safford junior quarterback also completed 6-10 passes for 114 yards with no interceptions and two TDs.

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).

The Roughriders visit 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 33-8 overall under fifth-year (2022-26) head coach Josh Wilkins.

2A East Region Willcox Cowboys (1-0)

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Craig Hatchett tapes Morenci football players prior to the start of the game in Safford. The Eastern Arizona College trainer was on the sidelines during the entire game in case of injuries.

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).

The Cowboys are 1-0 overall under first-year Willcox head coach Steven Ward.

1A South Region Duncan Wildkats (0-1)

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: McKenzie Carrasco goes over a routine during pre-game moments. The Morenci freshman flyer was elevated by base members Jaylynn Alcarez (LEFT), Izabella Rabourn, and Catalina Garcia.

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.

Duncan hosts 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 6-20 overall under fourth-year Duncan head coach Dan Coats.

1A South Region Fort Thomas Apaches (0-1)

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.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Noah Jurado (33) got key blocks on 3rd-and-8 en route to a 53-yard scoring run. The Safford freshman added the final touchdown for the Bulldogs during a 44-0 season-opening win. Eight Bulldogs ran the ball, averaging 6.9 (34-236) yards per carry.

Fort Thomas 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 5-21 overall under fourth-year (2023-26) Fort Thomas head coach Evan Stringfellow.