Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Donovan Vozza (3) prepares for a handoff from quarterback Joseph Seballos (12). The senior running back ran 54 yards to pay dirt untouched on the second play from scrimmage as No. 6 Morenci topped No. 11 Benjamin Franklin 35-7 in the 3A first-round playoff game on Nov. 3. The Wildcats travel to face No. 3 Surprise Paradise Honors for the quarterfinals on Thursday, Nov. 9.
Wildcats, Eagles, and Sabercats remain in the hunt for the state title
By Raymundo Frasquillo
STATEWIDE – The South Region top three teams, first place Morenci (3-1 region), second place Thatcher (3-1 region), and third place Tucson Sabino (2-2 region) advanced to the 3A state quarterfinals on Thursday, Nov. 9. It is the most teams from one region remaining in the 2023 playoffs.
Sabino (8-3 overall, 7-3 seeding, 13.9715 rating) hosts No. 12 Eagar Round Valley (7-4, 6-4, 6.5991) as No. 4 at 5000 N. Bowes Rd.; No. 6 Morenci (8-3, 7-3, 12.5485) faces No. 3 Surprise Paradise Honors (9-2, 8-2, 14.4400) at 12775 N. 175th Ave., and No. 7 Thatcher (7-4, 6-4, 11.4545) travels to No. 2 Chandler Valley Christian (10-1, 9-1, 16.5311) at 6900 W. Galveston St., each with 7 p.m. starts.
East Region champion Round Valley (4-0 region) and runner-up Lakeside Blue Ridge (3-1 region), West Region champion Bullhead City Mohave (4-0 region), Metro East Region champion Chandler Valley Christian (4-0 region), and Metro West Region runner-up Surprise Paradise Honors (4-1 region) are all in the quarterfinals.
The lower bracket has No. 6 Morenci at No. 3 Paradise Honors and No. 7 Thatcher at No. 2 Valley Christian while the upper bracket has No. 8 Blue Ridge at No. 1 Bullhead City Mohave and No. 12 Round Valley at No. 4 Sabino.
Eliminated in Round One were No. 16 Safford (4-7), 28-14 by Mohave; No. 15 Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (6-5), 24-21 by Valley Christian; No. 14 Gilbert Christian (6-5), 64-23 by Paradise Honors; No. 13 Mohave Valley River Valley (7-4), 46-31 by Sabino; No. 11 Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (7-4), 35-7 by Morenci; No. 10 Florence (8-3), 35-14 by Thatcher; No. 8 Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (8-3), 20-17 by Blue Ridge; and No. 5 Waddell American Leadership – West Foothills (8-3), 32-7 by Round Valley.
No. 6 Morenci Wildcats (8-3 overall)
The Rishard Davis-coached Wildcats (8-3 overall, 7-3 seeding, 12.5485 rating, 3-1 3A South Region) have averaged a 20-13 (217-141) score per game or a 7-point margin.
Morenci has wins over 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), Sabino (31-28, Oct. 20), Thatcher (21-14, Oct. 27), and Benjamin Franklin (35-7, Nov. 3).
The Wildcats lost to Pima (16-19 in OT, Sept. 7), Blue Ridge (21-24, Sept. 15), and Safford (14-26, Sept. 29).
Through 11 games, Morenci has gained 3,055 offensive yards, averaging 5.0 (459-2,304) yards per carry and 17.1 (44-751) yards per catch. The Wildcats have scored 29 rushing touchdowns and seven by the pass.
Defensively, the Wildcats have posted 24 quarterback sacks, 19 interceptions, and 13 fumble recoveries.
Eight of Morenci’s regular season opponents qualified for the 2023 state playoffs and five remain.
No. 3 Paradise Honors Panthers (9-2)
The Josh Goodloe-coached Panthers (9-2, 8-2, 14.4400, 4-0 3A Central Region) averaged a score of 54-24 (593-260) per game or a 30-point margin.
Paradice Honors has wins over Thatcher (35-14, Aug. 18), River Valley (60-19, Sept. 1), Dysart (53-21, Sept. 7), Show Low (69-15, Sept. 15), Valley Christian (52-33, Sept. 22), Buckeye Odyssey Institute (57-23, Oct. 6), Yuma (50-7, Oct. 20), and Yuma Kofa (77-0, Oct. 27).
The Panthers lost to Mohave (28-56, Aug. 25) and American Leadership – West Foothills (48-49, Sept. 29).
Through 11 games, the Panthers have gained 4,484 offensive yards with averages of 3.6 (118-430) yards per carry and 15.9 (254-4,054) yards per catch. Paradise Honors has scored five rushing touchdowns and 61 by the pass.
Defensively, the Panthers have posted 34 quarterback sacks, 12 interceptions, and eight fumble recoveries.
Five of Paradise Honors’ regular season opponents qualified for the 2023 state playoffs and three remain.
No. 7 Thatcher Eagles (7-4)
The Daniel Jones-coached Eagles (7-4, 6-4, 11.4545, 3-1 3A South Region) have averaged a score of 25-17 (278-185) 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), Pusch Ridge (16-10, Oct. 20), and Florence (35-7, Nov. 3).
The Eagles lost to Surprise Paradise Honors (14-35, Aug. 18), Valley Christian (14-15, Sept. 1), Yuma Catholic (20-42, Sept. 15), and Morenci (14-21, Oct. 27).
Through the first five regular season games, the Eagles gained 1,560 offensive yards, averaging 5.3 (197-1,043) yards per carry and 19.9 (26-517) yards per catch. Thatcher scored 11 rushing touchdowns and five by the pass.
Eight of Thatcher’s regular season opponents qualified for the 2023 state playoffs and six remain.
No. 2 Valley Christian Trojans (10-1)
The Jacob Peterson-coached Trojans (10-1, 9-1, 16.5311, 4-0 3A Metro East Region) averaged a score of 37-19 (406-206) per game or an 18-point margin.
Valley Christian has wins over Tempe (44-2, Aug. 18), Florence (27-24, Aug. 25), Thatcher (15-14, Sept. 1), Chandler Seton Catholic (44-7, Sept. 7), Scottsdale Christian (37-28, Sept. 15), Gilbert Christian (42-27, Sept. 29), Bourgade Catholic (57-12, Oct. 6), Payson (49-7, Sept. 22), Tempe (41-7, Oct. 20), and Benjamin Franklin (42-14, Oct. 27).
The Trojans’ lone loss was to Paradise Honors (33-52, Sept. 22).
Through 11 games, the Trojans gained 3,585 offensive yards, averaging 5.5 (199-1,101) yards per carry and 15.1 (164-2,484) yards per catch. Valley Christian scored 10 rushing touchdowns and 59 by the pass.
Defensively, the Trojans have posted 12 quarterback sacks, 12 interceptions, and three fumble recoveries.
Six of Valley Christian’s regular season opponents qualified for the 2023 state playoffs and three remain.
No. 9 Blue Ridge Yellow Jackets (9-2 overall)
The Jeremy Hathcock-coached Yellow Jackets (9-2, 8-2, 10.6372, 3-1 3A East Region) have averaged a 34-15 (377-163) score per game or a 19-point margin.
Blue Ridge has wins over Kayenta Monument Valley (60-12, Aug. 18), Saint Johns (38-14, Aug. 25), Fort Defiance Window Rock (58-0, Sept. 1), Morenci (24-21, Sept. 15), Safford (14-13, Sept. 22), Fountain Hills (48-21, Sept. 29), Payson (44-13, Oct. 13), Show Low (30-0, Oct. 20), and Pusch Ridge (20-17, Nov. 3).
The losses were to Cottonwood Mingus (27-28, Sept. 8) and Round Valley (14-24, Oct. 27).
Through 10 regular season games, the Yellow Jackets gained 2,664 offensive yards, averaging 5.7 (242-1,383) yards per carry and 15.8 (81-1,281) yards per catch. Blue Ridge scored 20 rushing touchdowns and 18 with the pass.
Defensively, the Yellow Jackets had 19 quarterback sacks, 12 interceptions, and 17 fumble recoveries.
Four of Blue Ridge’s regular season opponents qualified for the 2023 state playoffs and two remain.
No. 1 Mohave Thunderbirds (10-1)
The Rudy Olvera-coached Thunderbirds (10-1, 9-1, 17.4497, 4-0 3A West Region) averaged a score of 44-11 (480-116) per game or a 33-point margin.
Mohave has wins over Bourgade Catholic (75-6, Aug. 18), Surprise Paradise Honors (56-28, Aug. 25), Waddell American Leadership – West Foothills (28-20, Sept. 1), 4A Lake Havasu (42-0, Sept. 8), Kingman (43-0, Sept. 15), 4A Kingman Lee Williams (40-6, Sept. 22), Chino Valley (70-0, Sept. 29), Wickenburg (21-2, Oct. 7), Mohave Valley River Valley (48-6, Oct. 20), and Safford (28-14, Nov. 3).
The Thunderbirds’ lone loss was to Sabino (29-34, Oct. 27).
Through 11 games, the Thunderbirds have gained 4,722 offensive yards, averaging 8.9 (308-2,736) yards per carry and 15.6 (127-1,986) yards per catch. Mohave has scored 37 rushing touchdowns and 25 by the pass.
Defensively, the Thunderbirds have posted 36 quarterback sacks, 15 interceptions, and 15 fumble recoveries.
Four of Mohave’s regular season opponents qualified for the 2023 state playoffs and two remain.
No. 12 Round Valley Elks (7-4)
The Brad Baca-coached Elks (7-4, 6-4, 6.5991, 4-0 3A East Region) averaged a score of 27-13 (295-139) per game or a 14-point margin.
Round Valley has wins over 2A Saint Johns (37-8, Sept. 1), Show Low (40-3, Sept. 22), Payson (7-3, Sept. 29), Ganado (47-0, Oct. 13), Fountain Hills (51-7, Oct. 20), Blue Ridge (24-14, Oct. 27), and Waddell American Leadership – West Foothills (32-7, Nov. 3).
The losses were to Morenci (6-24, Aug. 25), Thatcher (20-22, Sept. 8) 4A San Tan Valley Poston Butte (18-20, Sept. 15), and Safford (21-24, Oct. 5).
Through 10 regular season games, the Elks gained 3,196 offensive yards, averaging 6.0 (325-1,962) yards per carry and 15.6 (79-1,234) yards per catch. Round Valley scored 21 rushing touchdowns and 14 by the pass.
Defensively, the Elks had seven quarterback sacks, 14 interceptions, and seven fumble recoveries.
Six of Round Valley’s regular season opponents qualified for the 2023 state playoffs and five remain.
No. 4 Sabino Sabercats (8-3)
The Ryan McBrayer-coached Sabercats (8-3, 7-3, 13.9715, 2-2 3A South Region) averaged a score of 36-26 (394-290) per game or a 10-point margin.
Sabino 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), Waddell American Leadership – West Foothills (42-21, Oct. 13), and Mohave (34-29, Oct. 27).
The losses were to 4A Tucson Mica Mountain (7-49, Sept. 8), Thatcher (21-27, Oct. 6), and Morenci (28-31, Oct. 20).
Through 11 games, the Sabercats have gained 4,342 offensive yards, averaging 7.3 (230-1,678) yards per carry and 16.5 (202-3,328) yards per catch. Sabino has scored 16 rushing touchdowns and 36 by the pass.
Defensively, the Sabercats have posted 12 quarterback sacks, 10 interceptions, and 12 fumble recoveries.
Seven of Sabino’s regular season opponents qualified for the 2023 state playoffs and four remain.
3A State Rankings
The final 3A Class statewide rankings on Oct. 28 had Bullhead City Mohave (9-1 seeding, 17.4497 rating) No. 1, Chandler Valley Christian (9-1, 16.5311) No. 2, Surprise Paradise Honors (8-2, 14.4400) No. 3, Tucson Sabino (7-3, 13.9715) No. 4, Waddell American Leadership – West Foothills (8-2, 13.1874) No. 5, Morenci (7-3, 12.5485) No. 6, Thatcher (6-4, 11.4545) No. 7, and Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (7-3,10.6372) No. 8.
Lakeside Blue Ridge (8-2, 10.6372) was No. 9, Florence (8-2, 9.9362) No. 10, Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (7-3, 9.5752) No. 11, Eagar Round Valley (6-4, 6.5991) No. 12, Mohave Valley River Valley (7-3, 5.5548) No. 13, Gilbert Christian (6-4, 5.1600) No. 14, Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (6-4, 4.4063) No. 15, and Safford (4-6, 4.3471) No. 16.
The initial 3A rankings on Sept. 26 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 Final Standings
Morenci was 7-3 overall and 3-1 in the region for first, Thatcher (6-4, 3-1) second, Sabino (7-3, 2-2) third, Pusch Ridge (7-3, 1-3) fourth, and Safford (4-6, 1-3) fifth.
In region pairings, Morenci (3-1) defeated Pusch Ridge (14-7, Oct. 6), Sabino (31-28, Oct. 20), and Thatcher (21-14, Oct. 27); Thatcher (3-1) defeated Sabino 27-20 (Oct. 6), Safford (35-14, Oct. 13), and Pusch Ridge (16-10, Oct.20); Sabino (2-1) defeated Safford (50-21, Sept. 15) and Pusch Ridge (40-27, Sept. 29); Pusch Ridge defeated Safford (19-14, Oct. 27); and Safford (1-2) defeated Morenci (26-14, Sept. 29).
Following the Oct. 27 results, all five South Region members qualified for the post-season as each finished in the Top 16, four in the upper eight to host a first-round game, and one at No. 16 to travel to a game.
Sabino went up three slots in the state rankings, from No. 7 (6-3 overall, 11.6092 rating) to No. 4 (7-3, 13.9715); Morenci went up three from No. 9 (6-3, 10.5635) to No. 6 (7-3, 12.5485); Thatcher dropped down three, from No. 4 (6-3, 12.6312) to No.7 (6-4, 11.4545); Pusch Ridge went up three, from No. 11 (6-3, 9.0053) to No. 8 (7-3,10.6372); and Safford dropped down two, from No. 14 (4-5, 4.6644) to No. 16 (4-6, 4.3471).
Morenci – 35, Benjamin Franklin – 7
The visiting Chargers won the coin toss, deferred to the second half, and kicked off to their hosts.
Morenci scored on its second play from scrimmage, a 54-yard run by senior Donovan Vozza. He went untouched through the line and gave the Wildcats six points. Senior Anthony Ballesteros added the conversion kick. Morenci led 7-0 with 46 seconds elapsed in the game.
Benjamin Franklin would not tie or lead the rest of the game, trailing by 28 before finding the end zone with 1:38 elapsed in the third quarter. The visitors covered 63 yards in four plays. Junior Ashton Grant ran in from five yards out and junior Carson Buehler added the conversion kick.
The Chargers stalled on six first-half possessions, punting on 4th-and-4 after gaining 21 yards in five plays, turning the ball over on 4th-and-12 after six plays, being intercepted on 3rd-and-4 after gaining six yards, punting on 4th-and-22 after gaining three yards in seven plays, turning the ball over on 4th-and-8 after gaining 17 yards in seven plays, and running out of time on 1st-and-25. Total yards gained were 37 of 409 (.090).
Benjamin Franklin’s initial possession of the second half resulted in a fumble kick-off, recovered by Morenci who scored from four yards out in one play 11 seconds later. The Chargers scored on their second possession, turned the ball over on 4th-and-10 after six plays, turned the ball over on 4th-and-19 after eight plays gaining 17 yards, were intercepted on 2nd-and-18 after gaining in nine plays, and ran out of time on 2nd-and-10 after seven plays. The yards gained were 125 of 205 (.610).
On the other side of the field in the first half, Morenci scored twice more during five possessions. The Wildcats turned the ball over on 4th-and-2 after gaining 21 yards in six plays, turned the ball over on 4th-and-goal from the two after gaining 61 yards in 10 plays, covered seven yards following an interception (14-0), covered 54 yards in six plays (21-0), and punted on 4 th-and-18 after three plays.
Senior Joseph Seballos ran seven yards and Ballesteros added the conversion kick for a 14-0 advantage with 9:26 left in the second quarter. A Seballos to senior Andrew Chavez pass was good for a 41-yard touchdown and Ballesteros added the conversion kick for a 21-0 advantage with 3:24 left in the first half. Total yards gained were 208 of 2909 (.717).
In the second half, the Wildcats covered four yards in the opening 11 seconds of the third quarter as senior Michael Casillas crossed the goal line and Ballesteros added the conversion kick. Morenci led 28-0.
The hosts punted on 4th-and-6 after three plays and covered 65 yards in seven plays with Casillas crossing in from two yards out and Ballesteros added the conversion kick for the final 35-7 score. Morenci twice turned the ball over on downs in the fourth quarter, on 4th-and-1 and on 4th-and-7. Total second-half yards gained were 85 of 291 (.292).
For the game, Morenci gained 296 offensive yards on 48 plays, 195 on 41 carries, and 101 on four receptions. Vozza averaged 16.0 (5-80) yards per carry, Casillas 4.0 (26-103), senior Emilio Roybal 3.0 (2-6) yards, Chavez 2.0 (2-4), Seballos 0.4 (5-2) yards, and Sanchez 1-0.
Seballos completed 3-6 passes for 72 yards with no interceptions and sophomore Derick Lytle 1-1 for 29 yards with no interceptions. Chavez averaged 41.0 (1-41) yards and Sanchez 20.0 (3-60).
Defensively, the Wildcats totaled 78 tackles (77 solo, 1 assisted), seven quarterback sacks, two interceptions, a fumble recovery, a blocked punt, and two pass deflections.
Sophomore Derick Lytle totaled 14 solo tackles, Sanchez and junior Marcus Lucero 10 solo tackles apiece, Chavez eight tackles (7 solo, 1 assisted); senior Austyn Nelson-Porter, Roybal, Seballos, junior Xavier Fernandez and junior Christopher Lopez five solo tackles each; and senior John Provencio four solo tackles.
Sanchez had three sacks, Chavez e two, and both Vozza and Lucero one each; Fernandez had two interceptions and recovered a fumble; and Lopez deflected two passes and blocked a punt.
