Eagles host No. 14 Knights on Friday

Riders welcome No. 14 Redskins to Edd Hubbard Field.

By Raymundo Frasquillo

THATCHER – Two 3A South Region members qualified for the 2024 post-season beginning with the first round on Friday, Nov. 8.

The No. 3 Thatcher Eagles (8-2 seeding, 16.8733 rating) host No. 14 Gilbert Christian (6-4, 6.3528) in the bottom bracket while No. 4 Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (9-1, 16.3934) hosts No. 13 Lakeside Blue Ridge (7-3, 7.1062) in the top bracket.

Kick-off at John Mickelson Field and in Tucson is at 7 p.m.

3A State Tourney First Round

Bottom bracket games have the John Carlson-coached No. 14 Gilbert Christian Knights (6-4 seeding, 6.3528 rating) visiting the Daniel Jones-coached No. 3 Thatcher Eagles (8-2, 16.8733).

No. 14 Gilbert Christian Knights (6-4, 6.3528)

Gilbert Christian (6-4, 3-1 Metro Region for second) averaged a 33-22 (326-215) score per game or an 11-point margin. The John Carlson-coached Knights had seeding wins over Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (21-14, Aug. 29), Kingman (37-6, Sept. 13), Fountain Hills (49-7, Sept. 27), Chandler Valley Christian (34-13, Oct. 4), Phoenix Bourgade Catholic (53-0, Oct. 18), and Tempe (49-26, Nov. 1).

The losses were to Florence (28-38, Aug. 23), ALA – Ironwood (17-41, Sept. 5), Queen Creek Crimson (21-30, Sept. 20), and Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (7-42, Oct. 25).

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Thatcher junior Chad Johnson (17) turns to give the ball to Tristun Brown (3). The Thatcher senior scored on a 43-yard run with 5.7 seconds left in the first quarter. Johnson completed four scoring passes to as many receivers during the first half.

No. 3 Thatcher Eagles (8-2, 16.8733)

Thatcher (8-2, 3-1 South Region for second) is averaging a 30-11 (236-87) score per game or a 19-point margin. The Daniel Jones-coached Eagles had seeding wins over Surprise Paradise Honors (32-0, Aug. 23), Queen Creek Crimson (15-0, Aug. 30), Chandler Valley Christian (31-13, Sept. 6), Round Valley (35-27, Sept. 13), Show Low (42-16, Oct. 4), Sabino (41-12, Oct. 11), Safford (28-0, Oct. 18), and Morenci (43-6, Nov. 1).

The losses were to Yuma Catholic (12-19, Sept. 20), and Pusch Ridge (7-22, Oct. 25).

Other bottom bracket pairings include No. 11 Wickenburg (7-3, 9.1765) at No. 6 Florence (8-1, 15.1658), No. 10 Eagar Round Valley (7-3, 10.4224) at No. 7 Mohave Valley River Valley (9-1, 12.4120), and No. 15 El Mirage Dysart (7-3, 6.3130) at No. 2 Waddell American Leadership – West Foothills (9-0, 17.1329).

In upper bracket games, the Jeston Lotts-coached No. 9 Willcox Cowboys (7-3 seeding, 5.4706 rating) visit the David Primavera-coached No. 8 Scottsdale Prep Spartans (9-1, 7.3519).

No. 13 Blue Ridge Yellow Jackets (7-3, 7.1062)

Blue Ridge (7-3, 1-3 East Region for fourth) averaged a 40-6 (395-62) score per game or a 34-point margin. The Eric Hjalmarson-coached Yellow Jackets had seeding wins over Kayenta Monument Valley (46-0, Aug. 23), Saint Johns (28-8, Aug. 30), Fort Defiance Window Rock (52-0, Sept. 5), Cottonwood Mingus (33-6, Sept. 13), Morenci (22-8, Sept. 20), Safford (35-0, Sept. 27), and Fountain Hills (62-7, Oct. 4).

The losses were to Payson (21-30, Oct. 18), Show Low (18-21, Oct. 25), and Eagar Round Valley (0-35, Nov. 1).

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Morenci sophomore Heston Winters (88) reaches to bring down Kody Bingham (34). The Thatcher senior scored seconds before the end of the first quarter.*

No. 4 Pusch Ridge Lions (9-1, 16.3934)

Pusch Ridge (9-1, 4-0 South Region for first) averaged a 40-6 (395-62) score per game or a 34-point margin. The Kent Middleton-coached Lions had seeding wins over Show Low (42-3, Aug. 30), Yuma (51-0, Sept. 13), Tucson Catalina Foothills (44-7, Sept. 20), San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills (45-0, Sept. 27), Sabino (42-14, Oct. 4), Morenci (29-0, Oct. 11), Coolidge (68-0, Oct. 18), Thatcher (22-7, Oct. 25), and Safford (45-0, Nov. 1).

The loss is to Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (7-31, Aug. 30).

Other upper bracket pairings have No. 16 Page (7-3, 4.7809) at No. 1 Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (9-1, 18.0518), No. 9 Payson (8-2, 11.1850) at No. 8 Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (7-2, 12.2790), No. 12 Surprise Paradise Honors (6-4, 7.1392) at No. 5 Bullhead City Mohave (8-1, 15.7595).

3A State Final Rankings

One team moved up and one down via game results last week while others shuffled positions. Page ascended from No. 19 (6-3, 3.9650) to No. 16 (7-3, 4.7809) and Show Low descended from No. 16 (4-5, 5.4633) to No. 17 (4-6, 4.6131).

Class 3A final rankings for the Top 16 of 37 teams as listed at 9 a.m. on Nov. 2 had Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (9-1, 18.0518) No. 1, Waddell American Leadership – West Foothills (9-0, 17.1329) No. 2, Thatcher (8-2 seeding, 16.8733 rating) No. 3, Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (9-1, 16.3934) No. 4, Bullhead City Mohave (8-1, 15.7595) No. 5, Florence (8-1, 15.1658) No. 6, Mohave Valley River Valley (9-1, 12.4120) No. 7, and Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (7-2, 12.2790) No. 8.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: The victory bell sat silent during the fourth of six games in Lawson Stadium this season. The Wildcats posted marks of 3-7 overall and 0-4 South Region during the just completed 2024 campaign.

Payson (8-2, 11.1850) was No. 9, Eagar Round Valley (7-3, 10.4224) No. 10, Wickenburg (7-3, 9.1765) No. 11, Surprise Paradise Honors (6-4, 7.1392) No. 12, Lakeside Blue Ridge (7-3, 7.1062) No. 13, Gilbert Christian (6-4, 6.3528) No. 14, El Mirage Dysart (7-3, 6.3130) No. 15, and Page (7-3, 4.7809) No. 16.

The initial Top 16 Class 3A rankings at noon on Oct. 1 listed Florence (6-0, 16.9480) No. 1, ALA – West Foothills (4-0, 16.0358) No. 2, Thatcher (4-1, 15.0047) No. 3, Blue Ridge (6-0, 14.9545) No. 4, River Valley (6-0, 14.3772) No. 5, Benjamin Franklin (5-1, 6.1594) No. 6, Mohave (6-0, 11.4313) No. 7, and Payson (5-1, 11.0976) No. 8.

ALA – Ironwood (4-1, 9.8302) was No. 9, Pusch Ridge (4-1, 9.2412) No. 10, Wickenburg (4-2, 8.8690) No. 11, Safford (3-3, 5.8785) No. 12, Round Valley (3-2, 5.1112) No. 13, Valley Christian (2-3, 4.9592) No. 14, Dysart (3-2, 4.4654) No. 15, and Gilbert Christian (4-2, 7.6450) No. 16.

Rankings for the other three South Region members were Safford (4-6, 2.3390) No. 20, Sabino (3-7, 0.4553) No. 22 and Morenci (3-7, minus 0.7986) No. 24. All five region members were involved in the 2023 state playoffs but only two this season.

3A South Region Final Standings

Region final standings are Pusch Ridge Christian (9-1 overall, 4-0 region) first, Thatcher (8-2, 3-1) second, Safford (4-6, 2-2) third, Sabino (3-7, 1-3) fourth, and Morenci (3-7, 0-4) fifth.

No. 20 Safford Bulldogs (4-5, 2.6787)

Safford (4-6, 2-2 region for third) averaged a 12-24 (121-237) score per game or a 12-point deficit. The Bulldogs had seeding wins over Pima (14-7, Aug. 29), Tucson Rincon/University (42-6, Sept. 13), Sabino (27-14, Sept. 20), and Morenci (13-12, Oct. 4).

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Game officials bring in the yard maker for a fourth down measurement. It indicated a change of possession.*

The losses were to Payson (6-20, Aug. 23), Florence (13-34, Sept. 6), Blue Ridge (0-35, Sept. 27), Round Valley (6-36, Oct. 11), Thatcher (0-28, Oct. 18), and Pusch Ridge (0-45, Nov. 1).

No. 22 Sabino Sabercats (3-6, 0.7545)

Sabino (3-7, 1-3 region for fourth) averaged a 15-24 (145-239) score per game or a 9-point deficit. The Sabercats had seeding wins over Coolidge (40-0, Aug. 23), Crimson (13-0, Sept. 6), and Morenci (31-0, Oct. 25),

The losses were to Tucson Sahuaro (14-15, Aug. 30), Tucson Mica Mountain (0-35, Sept. 13), Safford (14-27, Sept. 20), Pusch Ridge (14-42, Oct. 4), Thatcher (12-41, Oct. 11), ALA – West Foothills (0-38, Oct. 18), and Mohave (7-41, Nov. 1).

No. 24 Morenci Wildcats (3-7, minus 0.7986)

Morenci (3-7, 0-4) averaged a 16-25 (164-250) score per game or a 9-point deficit. The Wildcats had seeding wins over Round Valley (6-3, Aug. 30), Benson (35-25, Sept. 6), and Fountain Hills (49-29, Oct. 18).

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Morenci junior Jaymz Guzzo (4) turns to hand-off to freshman running back Jeremiah Cruz (18).*

The losses were to ALA – Ironwood (34-35, Aug. 23), Pima (14-20 2 OT, Sept. 13), Blue Ridge (8-22, Sept. 20), Safford (12-13, Oct. 4), Pusch Ridge (0-29, Oct. 11), Sabino (0-31, Oct. 25), and Thatcher (6-43, Nov. 1).

Thatcher – 42, Morenci – 6

The visiting Thatcher Eagles were well prepared for their region finale in Lawson Stadium, scoring on six of seven first-half possessions covering 248 of 260 yards in 24 plays. Thatcher led 14-0 heading into the second quarter and a running clock was in effect with 47 seconds left in the first half.

Junior Quarterback Chad Johnson connected with junior wide receiver Ryan Jones for a 10-yard score and junior Luke Marble split the uprights for his first of six conversion kicks; Johnson was sacked on 4th-and-9 for a 12-yard loss on the second possession; senior fullback Tristun Brown covered 43 yards on 1st-and-10 and Marble added the conversion kick for a 14-0 advantage with 5.7 seconds left in the first quarter; Johnson connected with senior Kody Bingham on 1st-and-10 for a 43-yard score and Marble added the conversion kick (21-0) with 3:16 elapsed in the second quarter; senior wide receiver Wyatt Nicholas hauled down a Johnson aerial on 3rd-and-14 for a 41-yard score and Marble added the conversion kick (28-0) with 4:23 later; Jones bulled his way in from three yards out on 2nd-and-goal and Marble added the conversion kick (35-0) in the next 1:03; and Johnson connected with senior wide receiver Maddell MaGill on 1st-and-goal from the nine and Marble added the conversion kick (42-0) with 47 seconds left in the half.

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Thatcher junior outside linebacker Ryan Jones (8) looks past senior blocker Shane Seballos (7) to tackle Jeremya Cruz (18).*

Morenci netted 56 of 485 yards during six first-half possessions, gained nine of 86 yards, and turned the ball over on 4th-and-1; gained 14 of 74 yards before punting on 4th-and-12; gained 53 of 76 yards before turning the ball over on 4th-and-7; gained five of 92 yards before punting on 4th-and-5; lost five yards before punting on 4th-and-15; and did not advance any of 75 yards before fumbling on 4th-and-10.

The Wildcats ran off 19 second-half plays during three possessions gaining 92 of 217 yards. They started 80 yards out and lost three before punting on 4th-and-13; gained 53 of 95 yards in six plays before punting on 4th-and-28; and covered 39 yards in eight plays as junior quarterback Jaymz Guzzo followed his blockers for a 3-yard score on 1st-and-goal with no time left on the clock. Morenci avoided a third consecutive region shutout and tying the 1990 Wildcats who posted four shutout losses, the last three in a row.

Thatcher’s offensive reserves totaled six second-half plays on two possessions. The Eagles gained 50 of 55 yards in six plays before fumbling on 1st-and-goal and gained two of 77 yards before being intercepted on 2nd-and-8.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Luke Marble (25) puts the ball in play to start the second half. The Thatcher junior made 6-6 conversion kicks during the first half, with the sixth prompting a running clock.

2A State Tourney First Round

In upper bracket games, the Jeston Lotts-coached No. 9 Willcox Cowboys (7-3, 5.4706) visit the David Primavera-coached No. 8 Scottsdale Prep Spartans (9-1, 7.3519).

No. 9 Willcox Cowboys (7-3, 6.1570)

Willcox (7-3, 6-1 San Pedro Region for second) averaged a 33-21 (325-213) score per game or a 32-point margin. The Cowboys had seeding wins over Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (18-16, Aug. 23), Santa Rita (65-12, Sept. 20), Tombstone (45-8, Sept. 27), Tanque Verde (41-20, Oct. 11), Palo Verde (50-8, Oct. 18), and Benson (39-21, Oct. 25).

The losses were to Tonopah Valley (19-49, Aug. 30), Show Low (7-21, Sept. 6), and Bisbee (40-42, Oct. 4).

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Morenci Pride Band members performed at halftime as a prelude to a Tucson competition on the weekend.*

No. 8 Scottsdale Prep Spartans (9-1, 7.3519)

Scottsdale Prep (9-1, 5-1 Verde Region for second) averaged a 44-10 (443-97) score per game or a 34-point margin. The Spartans had seeding wins over Miami (13-6, Aug. 23), Keams Canyon Hopi (81-0, Sept. 7), Glendale Trivium Prep (51-0, Sept. 13), Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (54-12, Sept. 20), Phoenix Veritas Prep (36-14, Sept. 27), Chandler Prep (54-0, Oct. 4), Scottsdale Coronado (51-0, Oct. 18), Phoenix Shadow Mountain (25-10, Oct. 25), and Phoenix Valley Lutheran (50-6, Nov. 1).

The loss was to Scottsdale Christian (19-49, Aug. 30).

Other upper bracket pairings have No. 16 Laveen Heritage (5-4, 1.7665) at No. 1 Gilbert San Tan Charter (10-0 seeding, 15.7019 rating), No. 12 Scottsdale Christian (6-4, 4.1569) at No. 5 Eloy Santa Cruz (8-2, 9.9324), and No. 13 Phoenix Veritas Prep (7-3, 3.7681) at No. 4 Phoenix Christian (8-1, 11.0954).

Bottom bracket games have the Lon Dimbatt-coached No. 14 Saint Johns Redskins (6-4, 1.8144) visiting the Josh Wilkins-coached No. 3 Pima Roughriders (9-1, 11.7051) and the Brandon Powell-coached No. 10 Miami Vandals (7-3, 5.2910) at the David Peter-coached No. 7 Phoenix Arizona Lutheran Coyotes (7-3, 8.1435).

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: The 6-member Pride Band Color Guard was on hand to help entertain at halftime and throughout the regular season finale.*

No. 14 Saint Johns Redskins (6-4, 11.7051)

Saint Johns (6-4 seeding, 4-2 Black Region for third) averaged a 34-12 (338-120) score per game or a 22-point margin. The Redskins had seeding wins over Holbrook (63-16, Sept. 13), Globe (43-0, Sept. 28), San Carlos (49-7, Sept. 20), Chinle (56-6, Oct. 18), Florence ALA – Anthem South (49-0, Oct. 25), and Whiteriver Alchesay (55-0, Nov. 1), and San Carlos (63-0, Oct. 25).

The losses were to Blue Ridge (8-28, Aug. 30), Round Valley (0-36, Sept. 6), Pima (2-7, Sept. 20), and Miami (13-20, Oct. 11).

No. 3 Pima Roughriders (9-1, 11.7051)

*Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Charles Richardson leads the Pima Roughriders onto the field against Santa Cruz Valley.*

Pima (9-1 seeding, 6-0 Black Region for first) averaged a 35-9 (347-86) score per game or a 26-point margin. The Roughriders had seeding wins over Globe (41-0, Aug. 23), Morenci (20-14 in 2 OT, Sept. 13), Saint Johns (7-2, Sept. 20), Miami (54-12, Sept. 27), ALA – Anthem South (58-7, Oct. 4), Scottsdale Christian (20-17, Oct. 11), Alchesay (48-0, Oct. 18), San Carlos (63-0, Oct. 25), and Santa Cruz (29-22, Nov. 1).

The loss was to Safford (7-14, Aug. 29).

No. 11 Miami Vandals (7-3, 5.2910)

Miami (7-3, 5-1 Black Region for second) averaged a 30-18 (299-184) score per game or a 12-point margin. The Vandals had seeding wins over Chandler Prep (32-14, Sept. 13), Globe (30-19, Sept. 20), Alchesay (44-8, Oct. 4), Saint Johns (20-13, Oct. 11), San Carlos (45-8, Oct. 18), Glendale Prep (50-27), and ALA – Anthem South (48-0, Oct. 31).

The losses were to Scottsdale Prep (6-13, Aug. 23), Phoenix Veritas Prep (12-28, Aug. 30), and Pima (12-54, Sept. 27).

No. 7 Arizona Lutheran Coyotes (7-3, 8.1435)

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: The football program future, the juniors, sophomores, and freshmen make their way onto the field for the start of the second half. From left are freshman Hunter Roumell (73), sophomore Mason Clark (17), freshman Eli Laney (5), freshman Zane McCardle (72), junior Rick Rodriguez (10), and freshman David Licano (72).

Arizona Lutheran (7-3, 7-2 Gila Region for second) averaged a 32-14 (323-138) score per game or an 18-point margin. The Coyotes had seeding wins over Chandler Prep (32-14, Sept. 13), Globe (30-19, Sept. 20), Alchesay (44-8, Oct. 4), Saint Johns (20-13, Oct. 11), San Carlos (45-8, Oct. 18), Glendale Prep (50-27), and ALA – Anthem South (48-0, Oct. 31).

The losses were to Willcox (16-18, Aug. 23), Gilbert Christian (14-21, Aug. 29), and Tonopah Valley (24-30, Oct. 18).

Other bottom bracket pairings include No. 11 Camp Verde (7-3, 5.2799) at No. 6 Bisbee (9-1, 8.4956) and No. 15 Parker (5-4, 0.8357) at No. 2 Tonopah Valley (10-0, 14.0878).

Laveen Heritage (5-4, 1.7665) finished as No. 16 but No. 23 Holbrook (7-3, minus 2.1938) had an automatic slot by going 7-0 for first in the Little Colorado Region.

2A State Final Rankings

No teams dropped out of the Top 16 from the previous listing.

The Top 16 of 51 Class 2A rankings as of 9 a.m. on Nov. 2 had Gilbert San Tan Charter (10-0 seeding, 15.7019 rating) No. 1, Tonopah Valley (10-0, 14.0878) No. 2, Pima (9-1, 11.7051) No. 3, Phoenix Christian (8-1, 11.0954) No. 4, Eloy Santa Cruz (8-2, 9.9324) No. 5, Bisbee (9-1, 8.4956) No. 6, Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (7-3, 8.1435) No. 7, and Scottsdale Prep (9-1, 7.3519) No. 8.

Willcox (7-3, 5.4706) was No. 9, Miami (7-3, 5.2910) No. 10, Camp Verde (7-3, 5.2799) No. 11, Scottsdale Christian (6-4, 4.1569) No. 12, Phoenix Veritas Prep (7-3, 3.7681) No. 13, Saint Johns (6-4, 1.8144) No. 14, Parker (5-4, 0.8357) No. 15, and Laveen Heritage (5-4, 1.7665) No. 16,

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Jacqueline Lopez, flanked by parents, was one of three spirit line, three swim team, six Pride Band, and 12 football team Class of 2025 members and parents recognized on Senior Night.

The initial Top 16 Class 2A rankings at noon on Oct. 1 listed San Tan Charter (5-0 seeding, 15.0485 rating) No. 1, Santa Cruz (6-0, 13.2769) No. 2, Tonopah Valley (6-0, 11.2784) No. 3, Phoenix Christian (5-1, 11.1312) No. 4, Tanque Verde (4-1, 7.8429) No. 5, Pima (4-1, 7.4639) No. 6, Arizona Lutheran (4-2, 7.2779 rating) No. 7, and Scottsdale Prep (5-1, 6.4927) No. 8.

Bisbee (4-1, 5.9268) was No. 9, Veritas Prep (4-2, 5.5467) No. 10, Heritage (4-1, 4.3630) No. 11, Pinon (5-1, 3.0226) No. 12, Camp Verde (3-2, 1.9757) No. 13, Whiteriver Alchesay (4-1, 1.4408) No. 14, Glendale Prep (3-2, 1.4366) No. 15, and Scottsdale Christian (2-3, 0.6108) No. 16.

2A Black Region Final Standings

Region standing were Pima (9-1 overall, 6-0 region) first, Miami (7-3, 5-1) second, Saint Johns (6-4, 4-2) fourth, Globe (5-5, 3-3) fourth, Whiteriver Alchesay (5-5, 2-4) fifth, San Carlos (2-8, 1-5) sixth, and Florence American Leadership – Anthem South (2-8, 0-6) seventh.

No. 29 Globe Tigers (5-5, minus 13.8805)

Globe (5-5, 3-3) averaged a 14-37 (135-372) score per game or a 23-point deficit. The Tigers had seeding wins over Tucson Santa Rita (37-0, Aug. 30), Avondale Saint John Paul II Catholic (54-8, Oct. 4), ALA – Anthem South (47-12, Oct. 11), Alchesay (41-14, Oct. 24), and San Carlos (28-20, Nov. 1).

The losses were to Pima (0-41, Aug. 23), Glendale Arete Prep (6-7, Sept. 6), Tombstone (7-34, Sept. 12), Miami (19-30, Sept. 20), Saint Johns (0-43, Sept. 28).

No. 39 San Carlos Braves (2-8, minus 13.8805)

San Carlos (2-8, 1-5) averaged a 14-37 (135-372) score per game or a 23-point deficit. The Braves had seeding wins over ALA – Anthem South (24-12, Aug. 23) and Phoenix Valley Lutheran (30-10, Sept. 27).

The losses were to Whittman Mountainside (14-25, Aug. 30), Tombstone (6-58, Sept. 6), Pinon (6-30, Sept. 13), Alchesay (20-52, Sept. 20), Saint Johns (7-49, Oct. 4), Miami (8-45, Oct. 18), Pima (0-63, Oct. 25), and Globe (20-28, Nov. 1).

2A San Pedro Region Final Standings

Region final standings were Bisbee (9-1 seeding, 7-0 region) first, Willcox (7-3, 6-1) second, Tanque Verde (6-4, 4-3) third, Benson (5-5, 4-3) fourth, Tombstone (6-4, 4-3) fifth, Palo Verde Magnet (4-6, 2-5) sixth, Catalina (1-9, 1-6) seventh, and Santa Rita (0-10, 0-7) eighth.