Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: The Wildcats raise helmets while singing the school fight song after the 31-28 win over Sabino on Oct. 20. Thatcher hosts Morenci on Mickelson Field during an Oct. 27 region pairing.
Wildcats, Eagles to decide 3A South Region Champ
By Raymundo Frasquillo
THATCHER – John Mickelson Field will be the site of the 3A South Region winner on Friday, Oct. 29. Thatcher (3-0 region) hosts Morenci (2-1 region). A 6-3 overall record is on both participants’ resumes with Thatcher ranked No. 4 (12.6312 rating) and Morenci No. 9 (10.5635). Kick-off is 7 p.m.
During the previous 70 seasons (1953-2022), Thatcher has compiled a 32-14 overall record along with 26-7 region and 2-2 section marks against Morenci since 1982. The first was a 21-8 win in Thatcher (Oct. 16, 1953) and the last was a 42-8 Lawson Stadium win (Oct. 11, 2019). The Eagles have averaged a 25-13 (1,132-578) score per game in 46 games during the 70 years and have prevailed in the seven most recent pairings.
The 7-game streak also has wins of 28-6 in Thatcher (Nov. 9, 2013), 27-20 in Thatcher (Oct. 31, 2014), 29-0 in Morenci (Sept. 4, 2015), 35-14 in Thatcher (Sept. 16, 2016), 36-6 in Morenci (Sept. 15, 2017) and 15-0 in Thatcher (Aug. 17, 2018) for an average score of 30-8 (212-54) per game or a 22-point margin. Morenci’s last win over Thatcher was 26-14 in Lawson Stadium (Nov. 1, 2013).
Coaches will say you play the best to be the best, learning and growing because of it. Through ten weeks of 2023 regulation play, Thatcher’s opponents, minus pairings with the Eagles, are a combined 44-27 (.620) overall while Morenci’s opponents, minus pairings with the Wildcats, are 53-29 (.646).
There are four common 2023 opponents played by both teams, Eagar Round Valley, Safford, Tucson Sabino, and Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian.
Thatcher averaged a 25-16 (100-65) score per game or a 9-point margin while Morenci averaged a 21-17 (83-67) score per game or 4-point margin against the quartet.
The other South Region contest has No. 15 Safford (4-5, 4.6644, 1-2 region) hosting No. 11 Pusch Ridge (6-3, 9.0053, 0-3 region).
A non-region pairing has No. 7 Sabino (6-3, 11.6092, 2-2 region) hosting No. 1 Bullhead City Mohave (9-0, 19.5284, 4-0 West Region).
Thatcher Eagles (6-3)
The Eagles (6-3, 3-0 3A South Region) have averaged a score of 25-17 (229-157) per game or an 8-point margin.
Thatcher has wins over Crimson (40-0, Aug. 25), Round Valley (22-20, Sept. 8), Show Low (41-0, Sept. 29), Sabino (27-21, Oct. 6), Safford (35-14, Oct. 13), and Pusch Ridge (16-10, Oct. 20).
The Eagles lost to Surprise Paradise Honors (14-35, Aug. 18), Chandler Valley Christian (14-15, Sept. 1), and Yuma Catholic (20-42, Sept. 15).
Morenci Wildcats (6-3)
The Wildcats (6-3, 2-1 3A South Region) have averaged an 18-13 (161-120) score per game or a 5-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), Fountain Hills (63-0, Oct. 13), and Sabino (31-28, Oct. 20).
The Wildcats lost to Pima (16-19 in OT, Sept. 7), Blue Ridge (21-24, Sept. 15), and Safford (14-26, Sept. 29).
3A State Rankings
Week Five (Oct. 24) of 3A Class statewide rankings had Bullhead City Mohave (9-0, 19.5284 rating) No. 1, Surprise Paradise Honors (7-2, 16.0170) No. 2, Chandler Valley Christian (8-1, 15.7275) No. 3, Thatcher (6-3, 12.6312) No. 4, Waddell American Leadership – West Foothills (7-2, 12.4046) No. 5, Lakeside Blue Ridge (8-1, 12.1036) No. 6, Tucson Sabino (6-3, 11.6092) No. 7, and Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (7-2, 10.7743) No. 8.
Morenci (6-3, 10.5635) was No. 9, Florence (7-2, 9.1103) No. 10, Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (6-3, 9.0053) No. 11, Mohave Valley River Valley (6-3, 5.6529) No. 12, Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (6-3, 5.1123) No. 13, Safford (4-5, 4.6644) No. 14, Gilbert Christian (5-4, 4.3862) No. 15, and Eagar Round Valley (5-4, 4.0931) 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 6-3 overall and 3-0 in the region for first, Morenci (6-3, 2-1) is second, Sabino (6-3, 2-2) third, Safford (4-5, 1-2) fourth, and Pusch Ridge (6-3, 0-3) fifth.
In region play to date, Thatcher (3-0) defeated Sabino 27-20 (Oct. 6), Safford (35-14, Oct. 13), and Pusch Ridge (16-10, Oct.20); Morenci (2-1) defeated Pusch Ridge (14-7, Oct. 6) and Sabino (31-28, Oct. 20); Sabino (2-1) defeated Safford (50-21, Sept. 15) and Pusch Ridge (40-27, Sept. 29); and Safford (1-2) defeated Morenci (26-14, Sept. 29).
Following the Oct. 20 results, Sabino dropped three slots in the state rankings, from No. 4 (6-2 overall, 13.7724 rating) to No. 7 (6-3, 11.6092); Pusch Ridge dropped three, from No. 8 (6-2, 10.7178) to No. 11 (6-3, 9.0053); Thatcher went up two, from No. 6 (5-3, 11.6828) to No. 4 (6-3, 12.6312); Morenci went up two from No. 11 (5-3, 9.1151) to No. 9 (6-3, 10.5635); and Safford, although idle, went up one, from No. 15 (4-5, 5.0196) to No. 14 (4-5, 4.6644).
2A Black Region Standings
Pima (9-0 overall, 6-0 region) was first, Saint Johns (6-3, 4-1) second, Miami (3-6, 3-2) third, Whiteriver Alchesay (6-3, 3-2) fourth, Globe (4-5, 1-4) fifth, San Carlos (1-8, 1-4) sixth, and Florence American Leadership – Anthem South (0-9, 0-5) seventh.
As of the Oct. 24 state rankings, Pima (9-0 overall, 13.7841 rating) was No. 2, Saint Johns (6-3, 2.2745) No. 13, Miami (3-6, minus 5.8653) No. 27, Whiteriver Alchesay (6-3, minus 5.9209) No. 28, Globe (4-5, minus 7.8882) No. 29, San Carlos (1-8, minus 18.3570) No. 43, and Florence American Leadership – Anthem South (0-9, minus 20.9424) No. 44.
2A San Pedro Region Standings
Willcox (5-4 overall, 4-1 region) was first, Tucson Tanque Verde (7-2, 4-1) second, Bisbee (5-4, 4-2) third, Tombstone (7-2, 3-2) fourth, Benson (4-5, 2-3) fifth, Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (2-7, 1-4) sixth, and Tucson Catalina (3-6, 0-5) seventh.
As of the Oct. 24 state rankings, Tucson Tanque Verde (7-2 overall, 7.2379 rating) was No. 7, Tombstone (7-2, 4.5110) No. 12, Willcox (5-4, 2.0853) No. 14, Bisbee (5-4, 0.4580) No. 17, Benson (4-5, minus 4.4152) No. 24, Tucson Catalina (3-6, minus 14.1842) No. 36, and Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (2-7, minus 14.3466) No. 37.
2023 Morenci opponents
This week, Morenci (6-3 overall) visits 3A South Region Thatcher (6-3), American Leadership – Ironwood (6-3) visits 3A Central Region Florence (7-2), Round Valley (5-4) visits 3A East Region Blue Ridge (8-1), Benson (4-5) hosts 2A San Pedro Region Tanque Verde (7-2), Pima (9-0) hosts 2A Salt Region Santa Cruz (8-1), Blue Ridge (8-1) hosts 3A East Region Round Valley (5-4), Safford (4-5) hosts 3A South Region Pusch Ridge (6-3), Pusch Ridge (6-3) visit 3A South Region Safford (4-5), Fountain Hills (2-8) has concluded its regular season, Sabino (6-3) hosts 3A West Region Bullhead City Mohave (9-0), and Thatcher (6-3) hosts 3A South Region Morenci (6-3).
Morenci – 31, Sabino – 28
“Is that how you drew it up in the locker room at halftime?”
Ask that of Coach Davis, he will enlighten you with a smile and the word yes.
The Wildcats outscored the visiting Sabercats 24-6 in the second half after trailing 7-22 at the mid-game break. They scored thrice in six possessions compared to once in five possessions by the visitors.
Ask senior Anthony Ballesteros what went through his mind in the closing seconds of the tied contest. He will tell you there was no pressure despite having made only 20 percent (1-5) of his attempts to that point. “We wouldn’t lose if I missed (a 27-yard field goal attempt).
Their experience, and preparation, along with some breaks determined the outcome of the contest.
Morenci got to the 1 ½ yard line with 3.2 seconds remaining after a penalty moved the ball half the distance to the goal line. The Sabercats took themselves out of the game mentally.
Ballesteros kicked the field goal for the tie-breaking points. “The thrill of victory” spilled over on one side and “the agony of defeat” was evident on the opposing side.
The Wildcats marched 62 yards in 10 plays at the start of the second half. Senior Tristen Sanchez ran five yards for the touchdown and Ballesteros added the conversion kick (14-22) with 4:30 elapsed. Sabino and Morenci traded punts, on 4th-and-9 and 4th-and-11, respectively.
Sabino’s 76-yard drive took 3:00 in seven plays. Senior Cameron Hackworth connected with junior Max Trainer for a 10-yard scoring pass. The conversion pass fell incomplete (14-28).
Morenci gained 36 of 85 yards before turning the ball over on downs as a 4th-and-8 pass fell incomplete However, Sabino was intercepted on 1st-and-10 and the Wildcats covered 30 yards in four plays. Senior Joseph Seballos connected with Sanchez for an 8-yard TD. The conversion pass fell incomplete (20-28) with 8:23 left to play.
Sabino went three-and-out, punting on 4th-and-11 and Morenci covered 85 yards in nine plays plus a couple of penalties. Sanchez ran in from eight yards out and added the conversion run to tie the score at 28-28 with 1:25 remaining.
The Sabercats again went three-and-out, punting on 4th-and-13 with 1:00 left. Sanchez picked up 19 yards on 3rd-and-10 to keep the drive alive 38 seconds later. A pass interference penalty on 2nd-and-5 moved the ball to the 30. Seballos connected with Sanchez to move the ball to the 17 with 3.2 seconds left.
To start the game, Sabino covered 78 yards in three plays, scoring on a 65-yard Hackworth to senior Diego Hanrahan pass play with 56 seconds elapsed in the game. A conversion pass was deflected (0-6).
The Sabercats gained eight of 60 yards before punting on 4th-and-2 during their second possession, threw an incomplete pass on 4th-and-20 to end their third possession, and punted on 4th-and-11 before scoring again. Senior Kyle Coleman recovered a fumbled kick-off and returned it 51 yards and the Hackworth to senior Savaughn Berryhill conversion pass gave them a 7-point (7-14) advantage with 55 seconds elapsed in the second quarter.
Sabino punted on 4th-and-22 before crossing the goal line again, covering 55 yards in 11 plays. Hackworth ran in from nine yards out on 1st-and-goal and his conversion pass to senior Devon Waxwood made it 22-7 with 33 seconds left in the half.
Morenci gained eight of 88 yards before punting on 4th-and-2 and fumbled on nd-and-5 after gaining five of 95 yards. The Wildcats scored on their third possession, covering 77 yards in seven plays. Senior Michael Casillas ran 52 yards on 1st-and-10 and Ballesteros added the conversion kick.
The Wildcats fumbled on a kick-off which led to a visitor’s score, punted on 4th-and-3, were intercepted on 3rd-and-9, and missed a 30-yard field goal attempt on 3rd-and-10, accounting for their first-half possessions.
For the game, Morenci gained 323 offensive yards on 62 plays, 173 on 38 carries, and 150 on 10 receptions compared to 274 yards in 39 plays, 56 on 13 carries, and 218 on 18 receptions by Sabino.
Seballos averaged 7.5 (2-46) yards per carry, Sanchez 6.5 (4-26) yards, Casillas 4.5 (22-100) yards, sophomore Julien Aragon 3.0 (1-3) yards, Roybal 2.4 (5-12) yards, and Vozza 1.0 (2-2) yards.
Sanchez averaged 16.9 (7-118) yards per catch, Roybal 12.5 (2-25) yards, and senior Andrew Chavez 7.0 (1-7) yards. Seballos completed 10-24 passes for 150 yards with one interception.
Defensively, the Wildcats totaled 50 tackles (43 solo, 7 assisted) plus three quarterback sacks, four pass deflections, and an interception.
Sophomore Derick Lytle totaled 15 tackles (13 solo, 2 assisted), junior Christopher Lopez six (5 solo, 1 assisted), senior Donovan Vozza six (4 solo, 2 assisted), and Seballos and senior John Provencio four apiece (3 solo, 1 assisted); Lopez, Provencio, sophomore Julien Aragon, and junior Xavier Fernandez each deflected a pass; and Sanchez, Lytle, and Chavez each logged a sack.
Sabino totaled 67 tackles (29 solo, 38 assisted), recovered two fumbles, one for a TD; sacked the quarterback once; and had an interception.
