Raymundo Frasquillo File Photo/Gila Herald: The Morenci Wildcats and Thatcher Eagles battle for the 3A South Region Championship and playoff seeding tonight at EAC’s John Mickelson Field.
By Jon Johnson
GRAHAM COUNTY – There’s sure to be some great prep football action tonight that will determine playoff spots and regional championships.
In 3A, Thatcher (3-0 region, 6-2 conference, 6-3 overall) is in the driver’s seat in the 3A South and is ranked No. 4 in the conference for playoff seedings. This year, there are no automatic region champion playoff spots and the top-ranked 16 teams will make the playoffs, which start Friday, Nov. 3.
The Eagles will host the No. 9 ranked Morenci Wildcats (2-1 region, 5-2 conference, 6-3 overall), who look to snag the 3A South Region title for themselves with a victory at John Mickelson Field. Morenci fell to region foe Safford on Sept. 29 but would still be 3A South Region Champions with a victory over Thatcher. Interestingly enough, even if Morenci beats Thatcher it might not be enough to leapfrog them in the conference rankings for playoff placement.
Safford (1-2 region, 3-4 conference, 4-5 overall) is on the fence for the playoffs, currently on the inside track ranked No. 14 but the Bulldogs will likely need a victory over No. 11 ranked Pusch Ridge tonight to make the playoffs. The final rankings will be released between 8 and 10 a.m. on Saturday.
2A Football
Pima is ranked No. 2 in 2A despite being the unbeaten returning champion, having defeated two top-15 3A teams this season, and beating its 2A Black Region opponents by a combined score of 345 – 0. That’s correct. Pima has not allowed a single point from its regional opponents all year and has scored 345 points against them.
The loss of starting QB Rhett Hughes to injury has thrust utility back Jaxon John into quarterbacking duties. John already returns kicks and punts, handles extra points and field goals, and played receiver prior to having to make the move.
Pima should have its biggest test in 2A since it defeated the Scottsdale Christian Eagles 23-20 on Sept 1. The Roughriders host the Santa Cruz Valley Dust Devils (6-0 region, 8-0 conference, 8-1 overall) whose only loss this year has been to the 3A Coolidge Bears. Santa Crus sits atop the 2A Salt Region and is ranked No. 4 in the conference.
Arizona Lutheran (5-0 region, 8-0 conference, 9-0 overall) is currently ranked No. 1 in the 2A Conference and is atop the 2A Gila Region. The final rankings will be released between 8 and 10 a.m. on Saturday.
