Roughriders welcome Tigers on Friday

Morenci heads to Miami, Willcox to Tucson

By Raymundo Frasquillo

PIMA – The Josh Wilkins-coached No. 15 Pima Roughriders (2-4 overall, 40.0324 rating) welcome the No. 24 Globe Tigers (2-4, 28.1927) on Friday, Oct. 2. The regional contest starts at 7 p.m.

Pima is 4-0 over the Tigers with an average score per game of 49-0 (194-18) or a 49-point margin under fifth-year (2022-26) head coach Wilkes.

Morenci (3-3, 34.1275) steps into Nick Ragus Stadium to meet the No. 39 Miami Vandals (2-4, 2.7848) as No. 19 and No. 3 Willcox (6-0, 56.6317) visits No. 35 Desert Christian (2-4, 6.1181) on Oct. 2.

Last season, Morenci handed the Vandals a Lawson Stadium shutout (52-0, Oct. 3) while Willcox gave the Eagles a Cowboys Stadium shutout (58-0, Oct. 3).

This week, for 2A East Region members, No. 11 Saint Johns (4-2 overall, 42.9053 rating) hosts 2A No. 17 and North 2 Region White River Alchesay (5-0, 35.5960).

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Brayden Mason (2) looks for blockers as he eludes Benson junior Tatum Kilpatrick (6). The Morenci freshman caught two passes for 30 yards.*

Alchesay is averaging a 37-14 (186-68) score per game or a 23-point margin and Saint Johns a 29-21 (174-123) score per game or an 8-point margin, Morenci a 10-24 (60-142) score per game or a 14-point deficit and Miami an 18-34 (106-203) score per game or a 16-point deficit, and Globe a 23-23 (138-140) score per game or a tie and Pima a 20-24 (118-146) score per game or a 4-point deficit

In the 2A South 2 Region, No. 6 Santa Cruz (5-1, 48.1301) visits No. 4 Benson (6-0, 50.1425).

Willcox is averaging a 45-9 (271-54) score per game or a 36-point margin, and Desert Christian an 18-17 (109-102) score per game or a 1-point margin, and Santa Cruz a 37-14 (222-82) score per game or a 23-point margin, and Benson a 38-9 (227-51) score per game or a 27-point margin.

No. 39 Miami Vandals (2-4, 2.7848 rating)

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Benson quarterback Cohen Barney (12) scrambles to look for a receiver with Morenci junior Luz Hernandez (54) in pursuit. The Benson junior ran for 110 yards on 10 carries and completed 15-of-22 passes for 145 yards with no interceptions. His contribution was 73 percent (255-350) of the offensive yards.

Miami (2-4 overall, 0-2 region) is averaging a 18-32 (106-193) score per game or a 14-point deficit and has seeding wins over Tucson Santa Rita (28-13, Aug. 28) and Maricopa Heritage (34-14, Sept. 17) as well as losses to Tombstone (6-40, Aug. 21), Gilbert Arete Prep (38-41, Sept. 4), Globe (0-48, Sept. 10), and Pima (0-47, Sept. 25).

The Vandals host the Morenci Wildcats (Oct. 2), visit the Saint Johns Redskins (Oct. 9), and host the Gilbert San Tan Charter Roadrunners (Oct. 16).

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: A Benson intended receiver has the pass fall incomplete as junior Jacob Bracamonte (3) defends. Benson completed 15-22 passes for 145 yards with no interceptions.

There are 26 Vandals on the roster, including eight seniors, five juniors, eight sophomores, and five freshmen. The seniors are Emilio Brewer (8), Matthew Cruz (16), Jace Gardner (70), Hector Mariscal (5), Brodie Oropeza (3), Damiaon Romero (2), Kris Tarango (1), and Owen Uto (6); juniors Sebastian Montano (65), Able Reyes (11), Julio Rodriguez (50), Angel Salazar (76), and Jesse Thompson (24); sophomores Chevy Brewer (0), Clay Cooke (44), Varter Harris (7), Anthony Reed (69), Dominic Romero (4), Brayden Saucedo (78), Kannon Stevens (63), and Mason Villalobos (10); and freshmen Juan Guererro (17), Raymond Gutierrez (15), Jake Palmer (75), Robert Perez (34), and Brayden Schelble (14).

Miami is competing in the 5-team 2A East Region with the Globe Tigers, the Morenci Wildcats, the Pima Roughriders, and the Saint Johns Redskins.

The Vandals are 2-4 overall under first-year (2026) Miami head coach Scott Harris.

No. 19 Morenci Wildcats (3-3, 34.1275 rating)

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: McKenzie Carrasco braces herself for a lift by base members Serenity Pavon (LEFT), Lily Kennedy (IN BACK), and Eliahna Garcia (RIGHT). The freshman flyer is part of the school spirit line.

Morenci (3-3 overall, 1-0 region) is averaging a 12-20 (60-100) score per game or an 8-point deficit and has seeding wins over Tucson Tanque Verde (14-7, Aug. 28), Bisbee (14-0, Sept. 11), and Globe (20-6, Sept. 18) as well as losses to Safford (0-44, Aug. 20), Willcox (12-43, Sept. 4), and Benson (0-42, Sept. 25).

The Wildcats visit the Miami Vandals (Oct. 2), and host the Pima Roughriders (Oct. 9) and the Saint Johns Redskins (Oct. 16).

There are 44 Wildcats on the roster, including four seniors, 13 juniors, and 10 sophomores, and 17 freshmen. The seniors are Joel Baca (28), Mason Clark (17), Camron Dodson (55), and Hector Vasquez (22); juniors Jacob Bracamonte (3), Brennen Burkhead (1), Jeremya Cruz (8), James Davis V (59), Luz Hernandez (0/54), David Licano (78), Zane McArdle (72), Braxton Merrill (10), Deegan Miller (12), Joseph Rodriguez (23), Joshwa Sandoval (9), Loghan Syzmanski (75), and Nathaniel Tedla (40); sophomores Kyson Abril (4), Andres Aguilera (51), Enrique Bencomo (66), Konner Bigman (60), Daniel Gray (74), Bryden Herrera (77), Leo Hernandez (53), Ceejay Madrid (50), Damian Paz (11), and Santi Sanchez (65); and freshmen E.J. Alvarez (24), Samuel Alvarez (7), Malachi Armijo (56), Gunner Barron (5), Brody Beebe (20), Noah Biggs (70), Kalib Estrada (79), Alex DeLa Torre (44), Cayden Maldonado (52), Brayden Mason (2), Adam Moreno (13), Brody Rogers (18), Ruel Rogers IV (6), Owen Steinberg (68), Josiah Vidales (21), Jeremiah Wesley (80), and Marcus Wile (58).

Morenci is competing in the 5-team 2A East Region with the Globe Tigers, the Miami Vandals, the Pima Roughriders, and the Saint Johns Redskins.

The Wildcats are 13-14 overall under third-year (2024-26) Morenci head coach Frankie Gonzalez.

No. 24 Globe Tigers (2-4, 28.1927 rating)

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Joseph Rodriguez (23) just missed sacking Globe sophomore quarterback Markitos Franco (6) in the* end zone. The Morenci junior totaled nine tackles (six solo), with two for a loss, against the visitors.

Globe (2-4 overall, 1-2 region) is averaging a 23-23 (138-140) score per game or a tie and has seeding wins over San Carlos (51-8, Sept. 4) and Miami (48-0, Sept. 10) as well as losses to Whiteriver Alchesay (20-24, Aug. 21), Eloy Santa Cruz (6-46, Aug. 28), Morenci (6-20, Sept. 18), and Saint Johns (7-42, Sept. 25).

The Tigers visit the Pima Roughriders (Oct. 2), host the Arete Prep Chargers (Oct. 9) and visit the Tucson Catalina Trojans (Oct. 16).

There are 34 Tigers on the roster, including 16 seniors, eight juniors, five sophomores, and five freshmen. The seniors are Corban Bejarano (12), Reymondo Cassadore (13), Garrett Copeland (18), Connor Dean (78), Caden Dryden (40), Nick Enfield (30), Kaden Flores (21), Dylan Fodera (53), Heber Hansen (27), Thomas Herrera (44), Greyson Kruger (57), Davien Lagunas (60), Jordy Nieto (23), Ayden Olvera (2), Daniel Ramos (4), and Mason Sandoval (5); juniors Matthew Casey (51), Bert Layton (3), Tavie Osorio (25), Landon Rios (1), Jason Iron Shell (50), Zander Shirey (7), Braden Wagner (8), and Michael Williams (77); sophomores Kach Cormack (11), Devron De La Torre (22), Markitos Franco (6), Jason King (35), and Bryson Lymon (10); and freshmen Jaxon Boykin (75), Dominik Goodman (64), Isaac Goodman (56), Philippe D’Avignon (15), and Carter Layton (33).

Globe is competing in the 5-team 2A East Region with the Miami Vandals, the Morenci Wildcats, the Pima Roughriders, and the Saint Johns Redskins.

The Tigers are 8-9 overall under second-year (2025-26) head coach Brady Hoff.

No. 15 Pima Roughriders (2-4, 40.6903 rating)

Pima (2-4 overall, 1-1 region) a 20-24 (118-146) score per game or a 4-point deficit and has seeding wins over 2A South 1 Region Tombstone (36-12, Aug. 28) and along with losses to 2A Metro 3 Region Scottsdale Christian (7-32, Aug. 21), to 3A Mountain Region Eagar Round Valley (0-56, Sept. 4), and to 2A South 2 Region Willcox (21-34, Sept. 11, 2026).

The Roughriders host the Miami Vandals (Sept. 25) and the Globe Tigers (Oct. 2), visit the Morenci Wildcats (Oct. 9), and host the 2A Metro 2 Region Sierra Vista American Leadership Guardians (Oct. 16).

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Hunter Barron (5) pulls away from Globe junior defender Ben Layton (3) for a large gain. The Morenci freshman averaged 5.8 (19-111) yards per carry versus the Tigers.

There are 36 Roughriders on the roster, including 11 seniors, nine juniors, nine sophomores, and seven freshmen. The seniors are Adam Bryce (23), Gilbert Bryce (1), Josh Bryce (55), Cedrick Grimes (2), Jonathan Guerrero (52), Hollen Hoopes (77), Colt Lunt (51), Emmet McBiles (3), Case Mullenaux (72), Joe Palmer (42), and Haydn Wilkins (20); juniors Roddy Allred (32), JoJo Bryce (62), Kaiden Davis (8), Jaxon Donham (56), Keegan Espinoza (7), Jax Haws (75), Ryker Kartchner (74), Ryett McBiles (10), and Mason Skinner (5); sophomores Tucker Bryce (78), Jace Cameron (73), Maclan Duncan (16), Reuben Gutierrez (65), Ethan Lunt (50), Graham McBride (12), Brady McWhorter (88), Landon Miner (18), and Tanner Preston (66); and freshmen Heston Alder (11), Jack Bryce (71), Leo Bryce (22), Cason Elias (61), Caiden McEuen (44), Miles Taylor (58), and Caycen Walker (60).

Pima is competing in the 5-team 2A East Region with the Globe Tigers, the Miami Vandals, the Morenci Wildcats, and the Saint Johns Redskins.

The Roughriders are 34-10 overall under fifth-year (2022-26) head coach Josh Wilkins.

No. 35 Desert Christian Eagles (2-4, 6.1181 rating)

Desert Christian (2-4 overall, 0-0 region) is averaging a 18-17 (109-102) score per game or an 8-point deficit and has seeding wins over San Carlos (31-22, Sept. 18) and Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (29-0, Sept. 25) as well as losses to Florence American Leadership – Anthem South (7-9, Aug. 21), Laveen Heritage (16-42, Aug. 28), Tucson Santa Rita (20-22, Sept. 4), and Tucson Catalina (20-22, Sept. 10).

The Eagles host the Willcox Cowboys (Oct. 2) and the Benson Bobcats (Oct. 9), and visit the Eloy Santa Cruz Dust Devils (Oct. 16).

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Wayne Stark plants his left foot as he attempts a conversion kick. The Benson senior made 7-7, and averaged 51.4 (5-257) yards per kick-off and 47.5 (4-190) yards per punt.

There are 20 Eagles on the roster, including four seniors, 10 juniors, four sophomores, and two freshmen. The seniors are Jacob Barr (11), C. J. Molina (61), Francisco Ojeda (52), and Derek Phelan (44); juniors Ayden Benson (54), Hunter Cox (68), Colby Delong (62), James Harris (14), Levi Ingold (5), Kekau Ishikawa (75), Joshua Medina (4), Diego Munoz (2), Grant Peterson (72), and Jordan Sexton (28); sophomores Caleb Barr (8), David Janssen (51), James McKinney (12), and Aaron Roundtree (3); and freshmen Jack McKinney (25) and Josh Peterson (42).

Desert Christian is competing in the 4-team 2A South 2 Region with the Benson Bobcats, the Eloy Santa Cruz Dust Devils, and the Willcox Cowboys.

The Eagles are 2-4 overall under first-year (2026) Desert Christian head coach Zach Davila.

No. 3 Willcox Cowboys (6-0, 56.6317 rating)

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Joel Baca and Jaylynn Alcarez smile after being selected as 2026 homecoming king and queen, respectively. The Morenci seniors were crowned during halftime ceremonies of the Globe game on Sept. 18.

Willcox (6-0 overall, 0-0 region) is averaging a 44-9 (221-47) score per game or a 35-point margin and has seeding wins over 2A South 1 Region Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (56-0, Aug. 21), 2A Metro 2 Region Arizona Lutheran (34-14, Aug. 28), 2A East Region Morenci (43-12, Sept. 4), 2A East Region Pima (34-21, Sept. 11, 2026), Tombstone (54-0, Sept. 18), and 2A Metro 2 Region Scottsdale Prep Spartans (48-14, Sept. 25).

The Cowboys visit the Tucson Desert Christian Eagles (Oct. 2), host the Eloy Santa Cruz Dust Devils (Oct. 9), and visit the Benson Bobcats (Oct. 16).

There are 24 Cowboys on the roster, including seven seniors, 12 juniors, four sophomores, and a freshman. The seniors are Alan Allred (50), Casey Cobeen (9), Caleb Cooke (6), Da’Marion Jackson (11), Anthony Morales (7), Eli Nelson (2), and Rhett Rogers (10); juniors Wyatt Cooke (56), Jacob Green (52), Robert Hill Jr. (5), Tyler Larson (73), Nathan Moore (12), Omar Moreno (20), Christian Nolan (44), Steele Romney (22), Ruger Todd (77), Asher Ward (21), Carsen Warner (4), and Carl Wyatt (72); sophomores Aden Berger (66), Daniel Burkhead (19), Brenden Douglas (64), and Zander Klump (13); and freshman Levi McWilliams (67).

Willcox is competing in the 4-team 2A South 2 Region with the Benson Bobcats, the Eloy Santa Cruz Dust Devils, and the Tucson Desert Christian Eagles.

The Cowboys are 6-0 overall under first-year Willcox head coach Steven Ward.

2A East Region

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Fireworks lit up the sky over Lawson Stadium throughout the homecoming game with Globe on Sept. 18. The Morenci Fire Association provided the visual entertainment.

Region standings as of Sept. 26 were Saint Johns (4-2 overall, 1-0 region), Morenci (3-3, 1-0), Pima (2-4, 1-1), Globe (2-4, 1-1), and Miami (2-4, 0-2).

Saint Johns is averaging a 29-21 (174-123) score per game or an 8-point margin, Globe a 23-23 (138-140) score per game or a tie, Pima a 20-24 (118-146) score per game or a 4-point deficit, Morenci a 10-24 (60-142) score per game or a 14-point deficit, and Miami an 18-34 (106-203) score per game or a 16-point deficit.

To date, region contest results are Globe over Miami (48-0, Sept. 10), Morenci over Globe (20-6, Sept. 18), and Saint Johns over Pima (12-7, Sept. 19) and Globe (42-7, Sept. 25).

2A South 2 Region

Region standings as of Sept. 26 were Willcox (6-0 overall, 0-0 region), Eloy Santa Cruz (5-1, 0-0), Benson (6-0, 0-0), and Tucson Desert Christian (2-4, 0-0).

Willcox is averaging a 45-9 (271-54) score per game or a 36-point margin; Benson a 38-9 (227-51) score per game or a 27-point margin; Santa Cruz a 37-14 (222-82) score per game or a 23-point margin; and Desert Christian an 18-17 (109-102) score per game or a 1-point margin.

Benson – 42, Morenci – 0

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: A banner unrolled and held up by the spirit line read “Defend the Hill.” It was positioned for the Wildcats to run through and onto the field.*

The Wildcats were told to “Defend the Hill” while competing in Lawson Stadium. Morenci has played in 235 contests in that facility since its opening during the 1982 season. The home boys went 0-4 and fell to both Greenlee County schools Clifton (3-24, Oct. 1) on its dedication and to Duncan (0-6, Oct. 15) that initial season.

Before being blanked by the visiting Bobcats on Sept. 25, the Wildcats had gone 155-79, or won 66 percent of the previous 234 contests in their current home facility, with 66 ending in shutouts, 50 favoring the hosts, and 16 the visitors, or 76 percent for Morenci. The game high scores are over Phoenix North Point Prep (76-0, Oct. 2, 2020) and to Thatcher (0-47, Oct. 22, 1999).

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Kyson Abril (4) stops Globe junior ball carrier Ben Layton (3) for a short gain. The Morenci sophomore notched two solo tackles as Layton averaged 6.3 (11-69) yards per carry or 75 percent (69-92) of the team’s rushing yardage.

Benson amassed 402 offensive yards on 52 plays, averaging 7.1 (40-283) yards per carry and 9.9 (12-119) yards per catch. Meanwhile, Morenci totaled 145 yards on 38 plays, averaging 4.5 (24-108) yards per carry and 2.8 (5-37) yards per catch.

Two home games and possibly more remain, with the next one against Pima on Oct. 9. The Wildcats are 21-11, or have won 66 percent versus the Roughriders since 1982, with an average score per game of 24-14 (778-441), or a 10-point margin.

In Lawson Stadium pairings with Pima, Morenci is 12-4 with an average score per game of 30-14 (482-221) or a 16-point margin. However, Pima has left Morenci with wins in the last two contests (21-20, Oct. 28, 2022) and (20-14 in 2 OTs, Sept. 13, 2024). In addition, the Roughriders have an active 5-game win streak over the Wildcats, highlighted by the state championship game win (59-19, Nov. 26, 2022) on Herman BB Andrews Track and Field. But neither team will square off against history.