Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Senior Marcus Lucero (2), junior Isaiah Cook (77), along with seniors Xavier Fernandez (11) and Yedidia Luputa Kanyinda (1)led the Wildcats through the tunnel. Morenci was edged 34-35 by American Leadership – Ironwood on Aug. 23. The Wildcats welcome Round Valley to Lawson Stadium on Friday, Aug. 30 for the Elks’ opener.
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – The Brad Baca-coached Eagar Round Valley Elks enter Lawson Stadium on Friday, Aug. 30. It will be their season opener.

The Wildcats are looking to go above .500 (3-3) on the artificial surfaced playing field, finishing 3-2 during their five games in Lawson Stadium last season, and edged out 34-35 by Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood last week. For the most part, the Wildcats played well. “We just need to clean up a few little things, Gonzalez said.
Morenci posted a 24-6 (Aug. 27) win in the dome last season, but preceded it with losses of 7-46 (Sept. 3, 2021), 12-47 (Oct. 18, 2019), 7-45 (Nov. 10, 2017), 0-44 (Oct. 7, 2017), 13-27 (Nov. 7, 2015), 12-40 (Sept. 11, 2015), 0-40 (Sept. 20, 2013), and 7-34 (Sept. 23, 2011).
Round Valley left with a 30-2 (Oct. 12, 2018) Black Region win, a 49-13 (Oct. 7, 2016) East Region win, and a 46-0 (Sept. 19, 2014) Division V win the last three times visiting Morenci. The Wildcats’ lone home win over the Elks has been 35-0 (Sept. 21, 2012).
Morenci went 3-2 during the 1970s, with wins of 14-8 (Oct. 6, 1972) in Morenci, 14-0 (Oct. 1, 1976) in Eagar, and 14-0 (Sept. 30, 1977) in Morenci. The losses were 7-21 (Sept. 29, 1978) in Eagar and 7-14 (Sept. 28, 1979) in Morenci.

Round Valley has an 11-2 advantage over Morenci during 12 years (2011-22), averaging a 35-10 (454-132) score per game or 28-point margin, enjoyed a 10-game win streak, posted three shutouts, and a 31-13 (125-50) average score per game or an 18-point margin in Lawson Stadium. The Elks also have a 13-5 series advantage with a 28-10 (497-188) average score per game or an 18-point margin.
At the state level, the Elks have been state finalists 13 times in program history, with seven titles in 1966 under Ranch Smith, 1970 and 1971 under Diz Reeves, 1979, 1980, and 1985 under Tot Workman, and 2019 under Marcus Bell. The six runners-up were in 1968 and 1969 under Reeves, 1984 under Workman, and 2013, 2016, and 2018 under Bell.

Morenci has been a state finalist seven times, with a championship in 1976 under Clifford Martin III. The six second-place finishes were in 1973 under Vern Friedli, 1984 under Jack Edens, 1992 under Reynaldo Peru, 2012 under Frank Ogas, and both 2021 and 2022 under Joseph Garcia.
However, neither team will suit up, line up, or compete against the other’s history. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Round Valley Elks
Round Valley hosts Saint Johns (Sept. 6) and Thatcher (Sept. 13), visits San Tan Valley Poston Butte (Sept. 20), Show Low (Sept. 27), and Payson (Oct. 4) before hosting Safford (Oct. 11), visits Ganado (Oct. 18), and hosts Fountain Hills (Oct. 25) and Lakeside Blue Ridge (Nov. 1) to complete its regular season schedule.
The Elks are competing with Blue Ridge, Fountain Hills, Payson, and Show Low in the 3A East Region.
Morenci Wildcats
The Wildcats follow this week’s non-region contest with two more home pairings, against Benson (Sept. 6), and Pima (Sept. 13) before heading to Lakeside Blue Ridge (Sept. 20) and Safford (Oct. 4), host Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (Oct. 11), visit Fountain Hills (Oct. 18) and Tucson Sabino (Oct. 25), and host Thatcher (Nov. 1).

Morenci is in the 3A South Region with Safford, Pusch Ridge Christian, Sabino, and Thatcher.
Frankie Gonzalez (2017 MHS grad) is in his initial season as a head coach, following region and state Coach-of-the-Year Rishard Davis.
On the defensive coordinator’ staff are eight Morenci grads along with grads from Clifton, Florence, Pima, and Show Low. Handling offensive and defensive linemen are Art Martinez (1989), Damiene Rivera (1997), and Matthew Garcia (2019); linemen and linebackers Frank Gonzalez (1993); offensive linemen and defensive ends Esai Vanegas (2017); special teams and safeties Brenden Enriquez (2022); offensive coordinator Benji Morales (1990); statistics Joseph Seballos (2024); Joseph Chavarria (2014) hydration; linemen Josh Sandoval (Clifton Class of 2005); visual aids Chuck Lopez (Florence Class of 2005); running backs and linebackers Jason McEuen (Pima Class of 1994); and defensive backs and receivers Chance Brewer (Show Low Class of 2012).
3A South Region

Sabino (1-0 overall, 0-0 region) and Thatcher (1-0, 0-0) both opened with shutout wins last week, 40-0 over Coolidge and 32-0 over Surprise Paradise Honors, respectively.
Meanwhile, Morenci (0-1, 0-0) and Safford (1-1, 0-0) both fell, 34-35 to Queen Creek American – Leadership and 6-20 to Payson, respectively, and Pusch Ridge Christian (0-0, 0-0) did not play.
This week (Aug. 30), Sabino hosts Tucson Sahuaro (0-0, 0-0), Thatcher visits Queen Creek Crimson (0-1, 0-0), Morenci hosts Round Valley (0-0, 0-0), and Pusch Ridge visits Show Low (0-0, 0-0).
Safford defeated Pima on Aug. 28, 14-7.
2A Black Region
Last week, Pima (1-0, 1-0) blanked Globe (0-1, 0-1) 41-0 and San Carlos (1-0, 1-0) topped Florence American Leadership – Anthem South (0-1, 0-1) 24-12, and Miami (0-1, 0-0) fell 6-13 to Scottsdale Prep. Whiteriver Alchesay (0-0, 0-0) and Saint Johns (0-0, 0-0) did not play.

This week, San Carlos hosts Whittman Mountainside (1-0, 1-0), ALA-Anthem South visits Gilbert Arete Prep (1-0, 1-0), Globe visits Tucson Santa Rita (0-0, 0-0), Miami visits Phoenix Veritas Prep (1-0, 0-0), Alchesay visits Chinle 0-1, 0-0, and Saint Johns hosts Lakeside Blue Ridge (1-0, 0-0).
The Pima Roughriders hosted the neighboring Safford Bulldogs on Aug. 28, the Bulldogs left with a 14-7 win over the Roughriders, and both teams are 1-1 overall.
2A San Pedro Region

Last week, Benson (1-0, 0-0) and Willcox (1-0, 0-0) posted wins in Phoenix, 27-10 over Shadow Mountain and 18-16 over Arizona Lutheran, respectively, while Tucson schools Catalina (0-1, 0-0) and Tanque Verde (0-1, 0-0) succumbed in Maricopa County, 6-46 to Surprise Highland Prep and 13-26 to Phoenix Christian, respectively. Bisbee (0-0, 0-0), Tucson schools Palo Verde Magnet (0-0, 0-0) and Santa Rita (0-0, 0-0), and Tombstone (0-0, 0-0) did not play.
This week, Benson hosts Phoenix Christian (1-0, 0-0), Willcox hosts Tonopah Valley (1-0, 0-0), Catalina hosts Phoenix NFL Yet (0-1, 0-1), Bisbee visits Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (1-0, 1-0), Palo Verde visits Wellton Antelope Union (1-0, 0-0), Santa Rita hots Globe and Tanque Verde is idle.
The Tombstone at Laveen Heritage (1-0, 1-0) pairing was canceled on Aug. 28.
1A South Region
Fort Thomas (1-0, 1-0) and Saint David (1-0, 0-0) posted road wins of 36-20 over Sells Baboquivari (0-1, 0-1) and 60-6 over Scottsdale Cicero Prep, respectively, while Duncan (0-1, 0-0) fell 66-98 at Lordsburg (NM), Kearny Ray (0-1, 0-0) fell 6-52 to Heber Mogollon, San Manuel (0-1, 0-0) fell 6-14 to Chandler Lincoln Prep, and Elfrida Valley Union (0-1, 0-0) fell 36-40 to Glendale Desert Heights Prep.
This week, Fort Thomas hosts Duncan, Saint David hosts Baboquivari, Ray hosts San Manuel, and Valley Union is idle.
Morenci vs. American Leadership – Ironwood

Coaches will tell you the defense develops sooner than the offense and it takes a few games for the offense to develop or gel. In this case, the offense for both teams was able to move the ball with ease, and it was the defenses that sputtered at times throughout the contest. Two half-hour lightning delays paused the game 41.8 seconds before halftime with the score tied 20-20.
Morenci covered 62 yards in 10 plays using 5:57, 67 yards in 10 plays using 4:24, 60 yards in five plays using 2:55, 75 yards in 10 plays, and 64 yards in seven plays using 6:03. The Wildcats ran out of time during the final 42 seconds of the first half on their fourth possession, being sacked 75 yards away on 2nd-and-11.
Junior Derick Lytle ran in from a yard out on 2nd-and-goal and made the conversion run (8-0), senior Christopher Lopez darted 31 yards on 2nd-and-11 (14-08), junior Julien Aragon ran in from five yards out on 1st-and-goal (20-14), Aragon scooted 14 yards on 1st-and-10 (26-28), and senior Marcus Lucero darted in from two yards out on 1st-and-goal (32-35).

American Leadership – Ironwood covered 71 yards in eight plays using 3:12, 72 yards in six plays using 1:06, 35 yards in six plays using 2:47, 62 yards in five plays 2:26, and 70 yards in six plays using 3:21.
Senior Ayden Williams dove in from two yards out on 1st-and-goal plus senior Jett Brewster added the conversion run (8-8), Williams sprinted 40 yards on 1st-and-10 (14-14), Brewster dashed 25 yards on 4th-and-10 and senior Porter Lee added the first of three conversion kicks (20-21), Brewster slipped in from six yards out on 3rd-and-goal and Lee added the conversion kick (20-28), and Williams bolted 47 yards on 1st-and-10 and Lee added the conversion kick (26-35).
The Warriors needed 98 yards, picked up a first down to the 15, and tried a punt on 4th-and-7 but an errant snap sailed over the head of the kicker and landed out of the end zone for a safety (34-35) with 3:20 remaining.
Morenci began on the 45 after a kick-off from the 25 with 3:15 left to be played, gained three first downs, but fell short on a field goal attempt on 1st-and-10 with 20.3 seconds left. The visitors took a knee to wind down the clock. Game over.

On the evening, the Wildcats gained 372 yards, 346 on 53 carries, and 26 yards on two receptions while the Warriors gained 382 yards on 36 carries. Morenci ended with an 18-121 first-down advantage.
Lopez averaged 7.9 (13-103) yards per carry, Aragon 7.3 (19-138) yards per carry, Lytle 6.4 (7-45) yards per carry, and Lucero 4.3 (14-60) yards per carry. Senior Xavier Fernandez completed 2-4 passes for 26 yards with no interceptions. Lopez caught one for 23 yards and Aragon the other for three yards.

Thirteen Wildcats totaled 55 tackles (53 solo, 2 assisted) with five having five or more. Lucero had nine solo tackles, senior Yeddidia Luputa Kanyinda totaled eight (6 solo, 2 assisted), Lytle seven solo, and both Fernandez and junior Jaymz Guzzo five solo.
Williams averaged 11.1 (30-333) yards per carry for the Warriors and Brewster 8.2 (6-49) yards per carry. Brewster went 0-1 in passing.
Fifteen visiting defenders totaled 80 tackles (53 solo, 27 assisted) with seven having five or more. Senior Marques Dorsey posted 15 tackles (10 solo, 5 assisted), senior Bentley Hatch 10 (5 solo, 5 assisted), senior Kelan Culver eight (4 solo, 4 assisted), junior Matthew Mandres (5 solo, 2 assisted), senior Hudson Graves six (4 solo, 2 assisted), Lee five (5 solo), and senior Manny Gamez five (3 solo, 2 assisted).
