Photo By Steve Carter: Thatcher head coach Dan Jones gives instruction during the recent Pusch Ridge game. Thatcher sits atop the AIA’s initial rankings at number 1 in all of the 3A Conference, while Morenci is number 1 in the 2A Conference.
By Jon Johnson
PHOENIX – The Arizona Interscholastic Association released its initial football rankings Tuesday, and unbeaten Thatcher is listed number one overall in the 3A Conference, and unbeaten Morenci is listed number one overall in the 2A Conference with Pima right behind at number two.
The two top-ranked teams in the 2A and 3A conferences don’t play each other, however, they did have a scrimmage at John Mickelson Field in August prior to the start of the season.
Thatcher Eagles
The Thatcher Eagles (2-0 region, 5-0 overall) have a 23.9705 rating with the next highest rated team, Eastmark (4-1) at 17.0603. Thatcher came from behind to defeat Eastmark 31-30 in a wild game in Thatcher on Aug. 26, on a second-chance, last-second field goal. The Eagles have also defeated third-ranked Pusch Ridge on Saturday and will face fifth-ranked Sabino on Oct. 21.
The Eastmark game has been Thatcher’s only true close contest so far this year with wins over the Round Valley Elks 42-14 (Aug. 19), Pima Roughriders 19-0 (Sept. 2), Safford Bulldogs 40-2 (Sept. 16), and Pusch Ridge 28-14 (Sept. 24).
The Eagles will travel to Tucson on Friday to face the 4A Sahuaro Cougars. Thatcher will then host Benson on Oct. 7 and travel to Coolidge on Oct. 14 before hosting what could end up being the 3A South Regional Championship game against Tucson Sabino on Oct. 21 at Eastern Arizona College – mark your calendars. The Eagles will finish the regular season on the road at Tucson Palo Verde Magnet.
Morenci Wildcats
The road to the top of the 2A Salt runs through Morenci and those who wish to pass are going to have to climb the hill to do so.
Morenci (5-0) sports a rating of 17.8142 with second-ranked Pima at 15.7033 and third-ranked Camp Verde at 13.4992.
The Wildcats have had little trouble with opponents this year, with their closest match being a 21-14 victory over the Willcox Cowboys on Sept. 16.
Besides that, Morenci has thoroughly dominated its other opponents, including Scottsdale Christian 30-6 (Aug. 19), Tanque Verde 44-0 (Aug. 26), Safford 44-0 (Sept. 2), and Tombstone 56-0 (Sept. 23).
Morenci will next host Globe on Friday, Sept. 30, before heading on a three-game road trip to San Tan Charter (Oct. 7), Miami (Oct. 14), and San Carlos (Oct. 21). Morenci will then finish its regular season at home against Pima.
Pima Roughriders
Pima (4-1) is currently ranked number two and is on the outside looking in, but they are right where they need to be as the teams head into regional play.
The Roughriders’ only loss so far has been to 3A Conference top-ranked Thatcher Eagles 0-19 on Sept. 2.
Besides that, Pima hasn’t really been tested, besting Safford 41-3 (Aug. 26), Tanque Verde 43-0 (Sept. 9), Scottsdale Christian 42-7 (Sept. 16), and Willcox 27-14 (Sept. 24).
The Roughriders open region play Friday against San Carlos, and will then visit Globe on Oct. 7. Pima will finish the regular season with two home games against San Tan Charter (Oct. 14) and Miami (Oct. 21) before traveling to Morenci for what could be the 2A Salt Region Championship game on Oct. 28.
