Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Derick Lytle (9) contributed 64 offensive yards, 12 on a rush, and 52 on a pass reception. The Morenci sophomore was one of 13 ball carriers for the Wildcats during a 63-0 non-region win over Fountain Hills on Oct. 13. Morenci welcomes Sabino for a region contest on Friday, Oct. 20.
Wildcats dispatch Falcons early
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – Tucson Sabino steps onto the Lawson Stadium field for the first time on Friday, Oct. 20. It is for a 3A South Region contest, but not the first time facing the Morenci Wildcats. The Sabercats fell 33-0 “on the Hill” during the initial pairing (Oct. 5, 1973).
The other region contest has No. 6 Thatcher (5-3, 9.6828) at No. 8 Pusch Ridge (6-2, 10.7178).
There are no non-region pairings as No. 15 Safford (4-5, 5.0196) is idle.
During the previous 20 seasons (2003-22), Sabino has been a state finalist four times, thrice in 4A (2005, ’06, ’09 and once in 3A (2016) while Morenci has accomplished that thrice in 2A (2012, ’21, ’22). Neither team has won a state title in the 21st Century.
The Sabercats have posted combined 158-32 (.832) regular season and 21-19 (.525) post-season records compared to 115-75 (.638) and 13-14 (.481), respectively, by the Wildcats.
Sabino has had two head coaches in the two decades, Jay Campos (133-35 overall, 15-14 post-season, 2003-16) and Ryan McBrayer (46-16, 6-5, 2017-22) compared to six by Morenci, David Brockmeier (15-15, 0-1 2003-05), Dale Hooper (9-20, 0-1, 2006-08), Frank Ogas (37-18, 4-4, 2009-13), Gary Sandoval (16-15, 0-2, 2014-16), David Gallegos (17-7, 2-2, 2017-18), and Joseph Garcia (34-14, 7-4, 2019-22).
Morenci has a winning percentage of 82 (23-5, 12-2 in 2022, 11-3 in 2021) versus 70 (16-7, 8-4 in 2022, 8-3 in 2021) for the visitors.
Sabino enters the contest ranked No. 4 (6-2 seeding, 13.7724 rating) while Morenci is No. 11 (5-3, 9.1151).
There are two common 2023 opponents played, Safford and Blue Ridge. The Sabercats have wins over both, by 29 (50-21) over Safford (Sept. 15) and by 13 over Blue Ridge (Sept. 22) while the Wildcats split, falling by 12 (14-26) to Safford (Sept. 29) and topping Blue Ridge (Oct. 6) by seven (14-7).
Sabino has averaged a 45-24 (90-48) score per game over them or a 21-point margin compared to 18-16 (35-31) or a 2-point margin by the Wildcats.
However, the 2023 contest will not be against each other’s history. It will be their experience and preparation that matters along with some breaks.
Sabino Sabercats (6-2)
The Sabercats (6-2 overall, 2-1 3A South Region) have averaged a 36-25 (287-199) score per game or an 11-point margin.
Tucson Sabino (6-2, 2-1 3A South Region) has wins over Coolidge (55-28, Aug. 18), Tucson Sahuaro (19-6, Aug. 25), Queen Creek Crimson (53-20, Sept. 1), Safford (50-21, Sept. 15), Pusch Ridge (40-27, Sept. 29), and Waddell American Leadership – West Foothills (42-21, Oct. 13).
The losses are to Tucson Mica Mountain (7-49, Sept. 8) and Thatcher (21-27, Oct. 6).
Sabino has gained 3,696 offensive yards, 1,321 on 179 carries, and 2,375 on 139 receptions for averages of 7.4 yards per carry and 17.1 yards per catch. The Sabercats have scored 12 rushing touchdowns and 26 passing.
Bullhead City Mohave (Oct. 27) remains on the schedule for the Sabercats.
Morenci Wildcats (5-3)
The Wildcats (5-3, 1-1 3A South Region) have averaged a 16-10 (130-82) score per game or a 6-point margin.
Morenci has wins over Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (6-0, Aug. 18), Eagar Round Valley (24-6, Aug. 25), Benson (35-0, Sept. 1), Pusch Ridge (14-7, Oct. 6), and Fountain Hills (63-0, Oct. 13).
The losses are to Pima (16-19 in OT, Sept. 7), Blue Ridge (21-24, Sept. 15), and Safford (14-26, Sept. 29).
Morenci has gained 2,257 offensive yards, 1,801 on 327 carries, and 456 on 27 receptions for averages of 5.5 yards per carry and 16.9 yards per catch. The Wildcats have scored 21 rushing touchdowns and four passing.
The Wildcats have one region game remaining on Mickelson Field against Thatcher (Oct. 27).
3A State Rankings
Week Four of 3A Class statewide rankings had Bullhead City Mohave (8-0, 18.7373 rating) No. 1, Surprise Paradise Honors (6-2, 16.6052) No. 2, Chandler Valley Christian (7-1, 15.3113) No. 3, Tucson Sabino (6-2, 13.7724) No. 4, Waddell American Leadership – West Foothills (6-2, 13.3757) No. 5, Thatcher (5-3, 11.6828) No. 6, Lakeside Blue Ridge (7-1, 11.2957) No. 7, and Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (6-2, 10.7178) No. 8.
Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (6-2, 9.8727) was No. 9, Florence (6-2, 9.6881) No. 10, Morenci (5-3, 9.1151) No. 11, Mohave Valley River Valley (6-2, 6.0255) was No. 12, Gilbert Christian (5-3, 5.5855) No. 13, Winslow (7-1, 5.2254) No. 14, Safford (4-5, 5.0196) No. 15, and Queen Creek American Leadership Ironwood (5-3, 4.2911) No. 16.
The initial 3A rankings listed Mohave (6-0, 19.8613 rating) No. 1, Paradise Honors (5-1, 17.3998) No. 2, Valley Christian (5-1, 15.4114) No. 3, American Leadership – West Foothills (4-1, 14.6275) No. 4, Pusch Ridge (5-0, 14.1680) No. 5, Florence (5-1, 12.9504) No. 6, Sabino (4-1, 10.9309) No. 7, and Blue Ridge (5-1, 8.9582) No. 8.
River Valley (5-1, 8.9426) was No. 9, Morenci (3-2, 7.9530) No. 10, Gilbert Christian (4-2, 7.6450) No. 11, Benjamin Franklin (4-2, 6.1594) No. 12, Winslow (5-1, 4.8399) No. 13, Thatcher (2-3, 4.2373) No. 14, Payson (4-2, 3.3748) No. 15, and Safford (2-4, 3.0946) No. 16.
3A South Region Standings
Thatcher is 5-3 overall and 2-0 in the region for first, Sabino (6-2, 2-1) is second, Morenci (5-3, 1-1) third, Safford (4-5, 1-2) fourth, and Pusch Ridge (6-2, 0-2) fifth.
In region play to date, Thatcher (2-0) defeated Sabino 27-20 (Oct. 6) and Safford (35-14, Oct. 13), Sabino (2-1) defeated Safford 50-21 (Sept. 15) and Pusch Ridge 40-27 (Sept. 29), Morenci (1-1) defeated Pusch Ridge 14-7 (Oct. 6), and Safford (1-2) defeated Morenci 26-14 (Sept. 29).
Four region games remain, Sabino at Morenci and Thatcher at Pusch Ridge on Oct. 20, and Morenci at Thatcher and Pusch Ridge at Safford on Oct. 27.
2023 Morenci opponents
This week, Morenci (5-3 overall) hosts Sabino (6-2), American Leadership – Ironwood (4-3) hosts 3A Central San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills (2-6), Round Valley (4-4) hosts 3A East Region Fountain Hills (2-7), Benson (4-4) visits 2A San Pedro Region Willcox (4-4), Pima (8-0) visits 2A Black Region San Carlos (1-7), Blue Ridge (7-1) visits 3A East Region Show Low ( 3- 5), Safford (4-5) is idle, Pusch Ridge (6-2) visits 3A South Region Thatcher (5-3), Fountain Hills (2-7) hosts 3A East Region Round Valley (4-4), Sabino (6-2) visits 3A South Region Morenci (5-3), and Thatcher (5-3) visits 3A South Region Pusch Ridge (6-2).
Through nine weeks of play, Morenci’s opponents, minus pairings with the Wildcats, are a combined 43-26 (.623).
Morenci – 63, Fountain Hills – 0
An accident on the Top of the World delayed the arrival of Fountain Hills and the start of the game.
The visitors won the coin toss, elected to defer to the second half, kicked off, and Morenci junior Christopher Lopez returned it 69 yards for a touchdown 12 seconds into the game. Senior Anthony Ballesteros added the first of seven conversion kicks.
Starting on the 20-yard line, the Falcons were intercepted on their first play from scrimmage by Morenci sophomore Derick Lytle, returning it to the 3-yard line. Senior Donovan Vozza covered the distance and senior Michael Casillas added the conversion run. Morenci led 15-0 with 30 seconds elapsed.
The Wildcats also scored on their next five first-half possessions, covering 82 yards in four plays, 64 yards in eight plays, 40 yards in two plays, 62 yards in 10 plays, and 46 yards in three plays.
Senior Emilio Roybal ran 24 yards on 1st-and-10 (22-0), senior Andrew Chavez ran four yards on 3rd-and-3 (29-0), senior Joseph Seballos connected with senior Tristen Sanchez on 1st-and-20 for a 40-yard score (36-0), Seballos connected with Lytle on 3rd-and-9 for a 52-yard score (43-0), and Seballos kept it for a 12-yard run (50-0). Ballesteros added each of the conversion kicks.
The Falcons punted after three plays thrice, having lost eight yards, 18, and 10. The fifth possession resulted in an interception on 3rd-and-10 by Lopez. Trailing by 43 with a running clock on their next possession, the Falcons again went three and out, punting on 4th-and-10. Time expired on a final possession from 94 yards away.
Fountain Hills gained four yards before being intercepted on 2nd-and-6, 60 yards in 10 plays before turning the ball over on downs, and 33 yards on four plays before running out of time on 1st-and-10.
Morenci scored on its two second-half possessions, covering 20 yards in four plays and 77 yards in eight plays. Lytle ran 12 yards on 4th-and-3, Ballesteros added the conversion kick (57-0), and sophomore Jaymz Guzzo crossed the goal line from four yards out on 2nd-and-10 (63-0).
For the game, Morenci gained 431 offensive yards on 36 plays, 339 on 32 carries, and 92 on two receptions compared to 61 yards in 29 plays by Fountain Hills.
Thirteen different Wildcats carried the ball. Roybal averaged 23.0 (2-46) yards per carry, freshman Dayton Penry 18.5 (2-37) yards, Vozza (2-29) 14.5 yards, Lytle 12.0 (1-12) yards, Casillas 11.2 (13-146) yards, sophomore Jordan Romero 10.7 (3-32) yards, Seballos 8.0 (2-16) yards, junior Xavier Fernandez 7.0 (1-7) yards, Chavez 4.0 (1-4) yards, Guzzo 4.0 (1-4) yards, sophomore Anthony Rogers 4.0 (1-4) yards, freshman Mason Clark 1.0 (1-1) yards, and sophomore Julien Aragon 0.5 (2-1) yards.
Seballos completed 2-4 passes for 92 yards with no interceptions. Lytle caught a pass for 52 yards and Sanchez 1-40 yards.
