Photo By Stan Bonifacio: Thatcher running back Gavin Bryce scrambles for yardage against Safford in last year’s rivalry game. This year, both teams will be in the same region and the rivalry game will be the second to last regular game of the season.
Safford welcomes Thatcher into 3A South
By Jon Johnson
PHOENIX – With the lawsuit regarding moving schools up a division dismissed, the Arizona Interscholastic Association has released the regions for football for the 2020 season and some schedules.
3A South
Safford (8-3) was the top of the pack last year going unbeaten in the region and was the regular-season champs. The Bulldogs remain in the 3A South, followed by Sabino (8-4), Pusch Ridge (5-5), and Sahuarita (5-5). Joining the group this year will be Thatcher (8-5 in 2A last year). After winning three state titles in the last four years, the Thatcher Eagles have been moved up to 3A. The Eagles beat the Bulldogs last year, 14-0.
Safford Bulldogs Schedule (Tentative)
Aug. 21 @ Payson
Aug. 28 @ Empire
Sept. 4 Bisbee
Sept. 11 Bye
Sept. 18 @ Douglas
Sept. 25 Pueblo
Oct. 2 @ Sahuarita
Oct. 9 Sabino
Oct. 16 San Tan Foothills
Oct. 23 Thatcher
Oct. 30 @ Pusch Ridge
Thatcher Eagles Schedule (Tentative)
Aug. 21 Bye
Aug. 28 Snowflake
Sept. 4 @Pima
Sept. 11 @Douglas
Sept. 18 Empire
Sept. 25 Benson
Oct. 2 @ Eastmark
Oct. 9 @ Sahuarita
Oct. 16 Pusch Ridge
Oct. 23 @ Safford
Oct. 30 Sabino
2A San Pedro
Benson (8-4) heads up the 2A San Pedro Region, followed by Bisbee (8-3), Morenci (4-7), Willcox (5-5), Pima (3-6), and Tombstone (2-8).
1A South
Duncan (7-3) heads up the 1A South, followed by Fort Thomas (6-5), St. David (5-4), Baboquivari (4-4), Valley Union (1-8), and Cibecue (0-8).
Schedules have yet to be released. This post will update when they are.
