Homecoming game pits region front-runners
By Raymundo Frasquillo
THATCHER – The Daniel Jones-coached top-ranked Thatcher Eagles (7-1 seeding, 18.1901 rating, 2-0 region) host the Kent Middleton-coached No. 7 Pusch Ridge Christian Lions (7-1, 12.9277, 2-0) on Friday, Oct. 25. It is the 2024 homecoming game for the Eagles.
In other region pairings this week, No. 20 Morenci (3-5, 2.1501) visits No. 25 Sabino (2-6, minus 1.2791) and No. 17 Safford (4-5, 3.7267) is idle.
Thatcher ascended to the top spot in the 3A rankings with last week’s shutout of neighboring Safford.
The Eagles prevailed 16-10 (Oct. 20) last season and have a 3-2 advantage over the Lions during the previous four seasons (2020-23). Thatcher’s other wins were 28-14 (Sept. 24, 2022) and 35-26 (Nov. 5, 2021) while the losses were 14-41 (Oct. 22, 2021) and 26-58 (Oct. 16, 2020).
However, Pusch Ridge averaged a 30-24 (149-119) score per game or a 6-point margin for the five games.
Through eight games this season, the Eagles have gained 2,671 offensive yards, 1,907 on 313 carries, and 764 on 51 receptions while the Lions have totaled 2,529 yards, 1,409 on 220 carries, and 1,120 on 82 receptions.
Defensively, Thatcher has 10 quarterback sacks, 11 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries, 53 pass deflections, and three blocked field goal attempts while Pusch Ridge has 12 quarterback sacks, 12 interceptions, seven fumble recoveries, 31 pass deflections, and no blocked field goal attempts.
Kick-off on John Mickelson Field is 7 p.m.
Pusch Ridge Lions (7-1, 12.9277)
Pusch Ridge (7-1, 2-0) is averaging a 41-7 (328-55) score per game or a 34-point margin. The Lions have 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), and Coolidge (68-0, Oct. 18).
The loss is to Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (7-31, Aug. 30).
Pusch Ridge hosts Safford (Nov. 1) to complete its regular season schedule.
The Lions are in the 3A South Region with Morenci, Sabino, Safford, and Thatcher.
Thatcher Eagles (7-1, 18.1901)
Thatcher (7-1, 2-0) is averaging a 30-11 (236-87) score per game or a 19-point margin. The Eagles have 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), and Safford (28-0, Oct. 18).
The loss is to Yuma Catholic (12-19, Sept. 20).
Thatcher completes the regular season by visiting Morenci (Nov. 1).
The Eagles are in the 3A South Region with Morenci, Pusch Ridge Christian, Sabino, and Safford.
3A State Rankings
Two teams dropped out and two others replaced them via game results last week while others shuffled positions. Surprise Paradise Honors ascended to No. 14 (4-4, 6.7844) from No. 17 (3-4, 4.5229) and Queen Creek Crimson ascended to No. 16 (4-4, 5.0111) from No. 19 (3-4, 2.9093) while Page descended from No. 14 (5-2, 5.6294) to No. 18 (5-3, 3.4367) and Safford descended from No. 16 (4-4, 4.5642) to No. 17 (4-5, 3.7267).
The Top 16 will be involved in the post-season after the regular season conclusion on Nov. 1.
Class 3A rankings for the Top 16 of 37 teams as listed at noon on Oct. 22 had Thatcher (7-1 seeding, 18.1901 rating) No. 1, Waddell American Leadership – West Foothills (7-0, 18.3128) No. 2, Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (7-1, 16.6350) No. 3, Mohave Valley River Valley (8-0, 14.6006) No. 4, Payson (7-1, 14.0724) No. 5, Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (6-1, 13.4952) No. 6, Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (7-1, 12.9277) was No. 7, and Florence (6-1, 12.8257) No. 8.
Bullhead City Mohave (6-1, 12.4249) was No. 9, Lakeside Blue Ridge (7-1, 12.1448) No. 10, Eagar Round Valley (5-3, 9.0272) No. 11, Wickenburg (5-3, 7.2238) No. 12, El Mirage Dysart (6-2, 7.0672) No. 13, Surprise Paradise Honors (4-4, 6.7844) No. 14, Gilbert Christian (5-3, 6.256) No. 15, and Queen Creek Crimson (4-4, 5.0111) 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 two South Region members were Morenci (3-5, 2.1501) No. 20 and Sabino (2-6, minus 1.2791) No. 25. All five region members were involved in the 2023 state playoffs.
3A South Region
Region standings are Thatcher (7-1 overall, 2-0 region), Pusch Ridge Christian (7-1, 2-0), Safford (4-5, 2-1), Morenci (3-5, 1-2), and Sabino (2-6, 0-3).
Thatcher (7-1, 3-0) is averaging a 30-11 (236-87) score per game or a 19-point margin. The Eagles have 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), and Safford (28-0, Oct. 18) along with a loss to Yuma Catholic (12-19, Sept. 20).
Pusch Ridge (7-1, 3-0) is averaging a 41-7 (328-55) score per game or a 34-point margin. The Lions have 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), and Coolidge (68-0, Oct. 18) along with a loss to Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (7-31, Aug. 30).
Safford (4-5, 2-1) is averaging a 13-21 (121-192) score per game or an 8-point deficit. The Bulldogs have 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). The losses are to Payson (6-20, Aug. 23), Florence (13-34, Sept. 6), Blue Ridge (0-35, Sept. 27), Round Valley (6-36, Oct. 11), and Thatcher (0-28, Oct. 18).
Morenci (3-5, 0-2) is averaging a 20-22 (158-176) score per game or a 2-point deficit. The Wildcats have seeding wins over Round Valley (6-3, Aug. 30), Benson (35-25, Sept. 6), and Fountain Hills (49-29, Oct. 18) along with losses 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), and Pusch Ridge (0-29, Oct. 11).
Sabino (2-6, 0-3) is averaging a 13-25 (107-198) score per game or a 12-point deficit. The Sabercats have seeding 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), Safford (14-27, Sept. 20), Pusch Ridge (14-42, Oct. 4), Thatcher (12-41, Oct. 11), and ALA – West Foothills (0-38, Oct. 18).
2A State Rankings
Two teams moved, one up into the Top 16 and one moved down below. Benson ascended to No. 16 (5-3, 1.2150) from No. 18 (4-3, 1.0008) and Glendale Prep descended from No. 16 (5-2, 1.7472) to No. 20 (5-3, minus 0.8302). The Top 16 will be involved in the post-season after the regular season conclusion on Nov. 1.
The Top 16 of 51 Class 2A rankings as of noon on Oct. 22 had Gilbert San Tan Charter (8-0 seeding, 17.0388 rating) No. 1, Tonopah Valley (9-0, 13.3199) No. 2, Eloy Santa Cruz (8-1, 10.9818) No. 3, Phoenix Christian (7-1, 10.8920) No. 4, Pima (7-1, 10.3840) No. 5, Bisbee (7-1, 9.3162) No. 6, Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (6-3, 8.3816) No. 7, and Scottsdale Prep (6-1, 7.7968) No. 8.
Phoenix Veritas Prep (5-3, 5.1415) was No. 9, Camp Verde (5-3, 1.2276) No. 10, Willcox (5-3, 4.2050) No. 11, Miami (5-3, 3.4520) No. 12, Laveen Heritage (5-3, 3.2257) No. 13, Scottsdale Christian (3-4, 2.0997) No. 14, Pinon (7-1, 1.4629) No. 15, and Benson (5-3, 1.2150) No. 16.
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
Region standing are Pima (7-1 overall, 5-0 region), Miami (5-3, 4-1), Saint Johns (4-4, 2-2), Globe (4-5, 2-3), Whiteriver Alchesay (5-4, 2-3), San Carlos (2-6, 1-3), and Florence American Leadership – Anthem South (2-6, 0-4).
This week, No. 5 Pima (7-1 seeding, 10.3840 rating) hosts No. 38 San Carlos (2-6, minus 13.4171), No. 12 Miami (4-3, 2.8313) visits No. 20 Glendale Prep (5-3, minus 0.8302), No. 17 Saint Johns (4-4, minus 0.5240) visits No. 42 ALA-Anthem South (2-6, minus 16.2119), and No. 24 Alchesay (5-3, minus 2.9483) visits No. 32 Globe (3-5, minus 9.3070).
2A San Pedro Region
Region standings are Bisbee (7-1 seeding, 4-0 region), Willcox (5-3, 4-1), Benson (5-3, 4-1), Tombstone (5-3, 3-2), Tanque Verde (4-4, 2-3), Palo Verde Magnet (3-5, 1-4), Catalina (1-7, 1-4), and Santa Rita (0-8, 0-5).
This week, No. 6 Bisbee (7-1 seeding, 9.3162 rating) visits No. 23 Tombstone (5-3, minus 1.2958), No. 11 Willcox (5-3, 4.2050) visits No. 16 Benson (5-3, 1.2150), No. 19 Tanque Verde (4-4, minus 0.4712) visits No. 50 Santa Rita (0-8, minus 24.1051), and No. 33 Palo Verde (3-5, minus 9.5423) visits No. 44 Catalina (1-7, minus 18.1840).
