Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Morenci QB Daylen Johnson (1) gets ready to throw the ball to avoid the sack by Abraham Silva. Johnson went 4-7 for the game with 2 TDs against Parker in the state semifinals.
Most are appealing to go down a conference
By Jon Johnson
PHOENIX – The Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) has advised of its member schools appealing the conference placements for the 2022 football season.
The AIA moved 27 schools from their previous conference and had 26 schools submit appeals to their placement. Three schools – AZ College Prep, Sahuarita, and Rio Rico – appealed to move up from 3A to 4A. The remaining 23 schools all appealed to move down from their placements in higher conferences.
In our region, Benson is appealing being placed into 3A. The Bobcats have had a couple of successful seasons ruling the 2A San Pedro Region. Last season’s 2A state champion, Arizona Lutheran, is also appealing being placed in 3A.
Yuma Catholic and Snowflake, both perennial state champion game teams, are appealing being placed into the 4A conference from 3A. Likewise, Benjamin Franklin and Northwest Christian – who made the jump to 4A the year prior – are appealing to go back down to 3A.
The AIA Executive Board will hear the appeals and make its final rulings on them at the board’s regularly-scheduled needing on Jan. 18.
