File Photo By Stan Bonifacio: Thatcher’s Bretton Dodge (20) dives in for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to secure the victory, 14-0 over rival Safford last year. The two teams are scheduled to compete in the same region this year and should face off in Safford on Oct. 23 in their shortened COVID-19 season.
Staff Reports
PHOENIX – With the novel coronavirus COVID-19 still wreaking havoc on re-opening schools, the Arizona Interscholastic Association recently moved the start of practice for fall sports to Sept. 7 with first games starting Sept. 30 – Oct. 3. Following is an updated, shortened schedule of local teams’ seasons. Each team in the 3A and 2A conferences has just a five-game regular season currently scheduled, with the 1A conference teams having just a three-game regular-season currently scheduled. (Fort Thomas currently has only two regular-season games scheduled.) Schedules may change to either add or remove games.
3A South Region
Safford Bulldogs
Oct. 2 away at Sahuarita Mustangs, Oct. 9 versus Sabino Sabercats, Oct. 16 versus San Tan Foothills Sabercats, Oct. 23 versus Thatcher Eagles, and Oct. 30 away at Pusch Ridge Lions.
Thatcher Eagles
Oct. 2 away at Eastmark Firebirds, Oct. 9 away at Sahuarita Mustangs, Oct. 16 versus Pusch Ridge Lions, Oct. 23 away at Safford Bulldogs, Oct. 30 versus Sabino Sabercats
2A San Pedro Region

Pima Roughriders
Oct. 2 away at Benson Bobcats, Oct. 9 versus Willcox Cowboys, Oct. 16 away at Tombstone Yellow Jackets, Oct. 23 away at Bisbee Pumas, Oct. 30 versus Morenci Wildcats
Morenci Wildcats
Oct. 2 versus Cobre Bayard New Mexico, Oct. 9 at Tombstone Yellow Jackets, Oct. 16 at Benson Bobcats, Oct. 23 versus Willcox Cowboys, Oct. 30 at Pima Roughriders
1A South Region

Duncan Wildkats
Oct. 2 away at Fort Thomas Apaches, Oct. 9 away at St. David Tigers, Oct. 16 versus Valley Union Blue Devils
Fort Thomas Apaches
Oct. 2 versus Duncan Wildkats, Oct. 16 away at St. David Tigers
Volleyball
The current volleyball schedules have matches starting Sept. 21. Click on the name of the school to see each volleyball schedule.
Safford, Thatcher, Pima, Morenci, Duncan, Fort Thomas