By Jon Johnson
PHOENIX — Pima and Morenci last met for the 2A State Championship when both teams were in the 2A Conference. Now, the teams will anchor the newly formed 2A East Region.
The Pima Roughriders and Morenci Wildcats will renew their regional rivalry on the gridiron next season. Both have been placed in the 2A East Region, along with Globe, Miami, and St. Johns. The 2A Conference has 59 teams.
After three straight appearances in the 2A State Football Championship, the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) reclassification committee moved the Pima Roughriders to the 3A Conference. Its initial appeal was declined; however, the AIA Executive Board approved its appeal to remain in 2A.
Pima has been the 2A State Runner-Up the past two seasons, losing to Scottsdale Christian Academy both times. However, they won the 2022 2A State Championship 50-19 over Morenci.
Morenci had spent the last two seasons in the 3A Conference after being moved up by the reclassification committee. The AIA Executive Board also approved its appeal to return to the 2A Conference.
Morenci finished last in the 3A South last year with a 0-4 region record and 3-7 overall under first-year coach Frankie Gonzalez. He took over the job from the departed Rishard Davis, who helmed Morenci into its foray into 3A in the 2023 football season to a 3-1 region record good to win the 3A South Region over Thatcher and finished 8-4 overall.
Before that, Morenci was in the 2A Conference, went 12-2 in 2022, and finished as the state runner-up to Pima.
3A East
The 3A Conference has 31 teams, including Safford and Thatcher.