Photo By Stan Bonifacio: Thatcher’s Brandon Napier runs for a score against Safford. Thatcher will take on Pusch Ridge for the top spot in the 3A South on Friday night.
Sabino favored to defeat Safford
By Jon Johnson
GRAHAM COUNTY – The undefeated Thatcher Eagles will begin the meat of the 3A South schedule on Friday as they host the Pusch Ridge Christian Academy (PRCA) Lions.
PRCA sits atop the 3A South with a 5-0 overall record, including 4-0 in the conference. That currently gives the Lions a slight edge over Sabino (1-0 region, 3-0 conference, 4-0 overall) and Thatcher (1-0 region, 3-0 conference, 4-0 overall) since the Lions have one more conference victory.
Sabino will host Safford on Friday and should be favored in that matchup.
Thatcher Eagles
The Thatcher Eagles started their season with a 42-14 walloping of the Round Valley Elks on Aug. 19, came back for their most thrilling win of the year over Eastmark 31-30 on Aug. 26, held the tough 2A Pima Roughriders out of the end zone for a 19-0 victory Sept. 2, and defeated their rival school, Safford, 40-2 on Friday night.
According to Max Preps, the Eagles are led by quarterback Brandon Napier with six rushing and two passing touchdowns on the season. Ayden Bingham leads the rushing attack averaging 110.3 yards per game (an outstanding 9.8 yards per carry), while Cody Jones is the top-rated receiver averaging 23 yards per game with two total receiving TDs. Jones also has the most sacks in the 3A South with four and is second on the team in averaging 4.8 tackles per game behind defensive end Jacob Rasumussen, who is averaging 6.3 tackles per game.
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy
PRCA hasn’t been tested all season with wins of 37-7 over ALA – West Foothills (Aug. 20), 63-28 over Paradise Honors (Aug. 26.), 51-14 over the Mohave Thunderbirds (Sept. 2), 34-9 over Catalina Foothills (Sept. 9), and 59-0 shellacking of Benson on Friday.
The Lions have a balanced attack led by Bryce Jewell, who is averaging 84.6 yards receiving per game, and Abraham Grajeda, who is averaging 91.2 yards rushing per game. Offensively, PRCA is currently ruling the 3A South and is first in passing, rushing, and receiving yards, total yards, total points, and total touchdowns.
Defensively, middle linebacker Tyler Mustain leads the team with an incredible 13.6 tackles per game average and Bryce Jewel leads the team in both interceptions (4) and receiving TDs (5).
Safford/Sabino
In the other matchup involving an undefeated 3A South team, the Sabino Sabercats are favored against the 1-3 Safford Bulldogs. The Sabercats defeated Coolidge 42-20 (Aug. 19), ALA – West Foothills 47-27 (Sept. 2), Sahuaro 41-20 (Sept. 9), and Palo Verde Magnet 55-6 on Friday.
Safford opened its season with a 27-20 win over Phoenix Christian but has lost three in a row, starting with a 3-41 loss to Pima on Aug. 26, followed by 0-44 against Morenci (Sept. 2), 27-35 loss to Tucson Pueblo (Sept. 9) and 2-40 against Thatcher on Friday.
Safford will look to stop the hemorrhaging against Sabino, but the game the week after against Palo Verde Magnet at home is the better bet to right the ship.
