Roughriders face Redskins, Cowboys meet Jackets
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – The Frankie Gonzalez-coached Morenci Wildcats (2-2) welcome the Globe Tigers (2-2) for their 61st homecoming. It is also a region contest with a 7 p.m. start.
Morenci has defeated the Tigers twice previously on homecoming, winning both on the same date (28-0, Sept. 30, 2011) and (56-0, Sept. 30, 2022).
Morenci is 19-9-1 versus Globe since 1945, averaging 24-14 (699-406) per game, or a 10-point margin. The Wildcats topped the Tigers by 28 points (43-15, Sept. 19, 2025) last season.
The school has played 60 homecoming games, with 44 in Lawson Stadium and 16 “on the hill.” Morenci has gone 28-16 in the current venue and 12-4 at the previous site.
The Wildcats are 40-20 or have won 2-3 pairings for this game, starting with Tucson Canyon del Oro (58-20, Nov. 3, 1966) through Bisbee (26-0, Sept. 12, 2025).
Morenci is 6-1 versus Bisbee, 5-2 vs. Miami, 3-1 vs. Mexico Academia Juarez, 3-2 vs. Pima, 3-3 vs. Tombstone, 2-0 vs. Superior, 2-1 vs. Duncan, 2-2 vs. Benson, and 2-5 vs. Willcox.
The Wildcats also have homecoming game wins over Clifton (26-0, Nov. 10, 1967), Kearny Ray (18-6, Oct. 31, 1968), Eloy Santa Cruz (14-7, Nov. 6, 1970), Sahuarita (55-0, Nov. 7, 1975), Thatcher (14-6, Oct. 7, 1994), Winkelman Hayden (44-0, Oct. 19, 2001), San Carlos (54-12, Sept. 30, 2016), New Mexico Bayard Cobre (39-6, Sept, 28, 2018) and losses to Coolidge (6-21, Oct. 22, 1971), Eagar Round Valley (7-14, Sept. 28, 79), and Safford (14-26, Sept. 29, 2023).
Thus far, the Wildcats have averaged a 10-24 (40-94) score per game, or a 14-point deficit, compared to a 31-20 (125-78) score per game, or an 11-point margin, by the Tigers.
Also this week for 2A East Region members, Pima (1-3) visits the Saint Johns Redskins (2-2), and Miami (2-3) defeated 0-4 the 3A Independent Maricopa Heritage Heroes (34-14, Sept. 17).
2A Morenci Wildcats (2-2)
Morenci (2-2 overall, 0-0 region) has seeding wins over Tucson Tanque Verde (14-7, Aug. 28) and Bisbee (14-0, Sept. 11) as well as losses to Safford (0-44, Aug. 20) and Willcox (12-43, Sept. 4).
The Wildcats have an average score per game of 10-24 (40-94), or a 14-point deficit, compared to a 19-15 (76-61), or 4-point margin, against the same opponents last season.
Morenci visits the 2A South 1 Region Bisbee Pumas (Sept. 11), hosts the Globe Tigers (Sept. 18) and the 2A South 2 Region Benson Bobcats (Sept. 25), visits the Miami Vandals (Oct. 2), and hosts the Pima Roughriders (Oct. 9) and the Saint Johns Redskins (Oct. 16).
There are 44 Wildcats on the roster, including four seniors, 13 juniors, 10 sophomores, and 17 freshmen. The seniors are Joel Baca (28), Mason Clark (17), Camron Dodson (55), and Hector Vasquez (22); juniors Jacob Bracamonte (3), Brennen Burkhead (1), Jeremya Cruz (8), James Davis V (59), Luz Hernandez (0), David Licano (78), Zane McArdle (72), Braxton Merrill (10), Deegan Miller (12), Joseph Rodriguez (23), Joshwa Sandoval (9), Loghan Syzmanski (75), and Nathaniel Tedla (40); sophomores Kyson Abril (4), Andres Aguilera (51), Enrique Bencomo (66), Konner Bigman (60), Daniel Gray (74), Bryden Herrera (77), Leo Hernandez (53), Ceejay Madrid (50), Damian Paz (11), and Santi Sanchez (65); and freshmen E.J. Alvarez (24), Samuel Alvarez (7), Malachi Armijo (56), Gunner Barron (5), Brody Beebe (20), Noah Biggs (70), Kalib Estrada (79), Alex DeLa Torre (44), Cayden Maldonado (52), Brayden Mason (2), Adam Moreno (13), Brody Rogers (18), Ruel Rogers IV (6), Owen Steinberg (68), Josiah Vidales (21), Jeremiah Wesley (80), and Marcus Wile (58).
Morenci is competing in the 5-team 2A East Region with the Globe Tigers, the Miami Vandals, the Pima Roughriders, and the Saint Johns Redskins.
The Wildcats are 12-14 overall under third-year (2024-26) Morenci head coach Frankie Gonzalez.
2025 Homecoming (Sept. 12)
Morenci – 26, Bisbee – 0
The Pumas played 30 minutes with Bisbee in Lawson Stadium. The score was 26-0 before lightning caused a half-hour delay six minutes into the second half. The Pumas didn’t lack confidence in scoring; they just threw in the towel. Something about consecutive allowable behind-the-wheel time for the bus driver played a large part in the decision to call the game.
Bisbee received the second-half kick, totaled 40 yards on five plays plus a 15-yard penalty using 2:55, and was intercepted on 1st-and-10 by senior Jaymz Guzzo. Morenci drove 30 yards in four plays plus a 15-yard penalty using 3:05 before the lightning delay was declared.
Morenci scored on its first three possessions plus on an interception return while the visiting Pumas punted on 4th-and-9, were intercepted on 3rd-and-5, punted on 4th-and-14, and punted on 4th-and-31.
The Wildcats received the opening kick, covered 65 yards in six plays using 2:52. Sophomore Deegan Miller connected with Guzzo for a 29-yard touchdown on 4th-and-3 (6-0).
Morenci covered 42 yards in seven plays using 4:43 as senior Julien Aragon stepped in from two yards out (12-0); Guzzo intercepted a pass, scampered 35 yards to pay dirt, and the Miller-to-Guzzo connection added another two points (20-0); and the Wildcats covered 80 yards in 11 plays using 5:34 as Aragon scooted 21 yards on 3rd-and-4 (26-0).
On the evening, Bisbee was limited to 172 total offensive yards and kept out of the end zone despite averaging 9.4 (11-107) yards rushing and 10.8 (6-65) yards passing.
Meanwhile, Morenci netted 246 offensive yards, averaged 7.3 (22-161) yards rushing and 28.3 (3-85) yards passing, and scored twice on the run, once with a reception, once on an interception return, and on a conversion pass.
Aragon completed the season with an average of 7.5 (220-1,645) yards per carry and 18 rushing touchdowns. A 4-year effort was 6.8 (377-2,566) yards per carry and 24 rushing touchdowns.
2024 Homecoming (Sept. 6)
Morenci – 35, Benson – 25
Scores of 6-0 following the opening quarter, 20-13 at halftime, and 28-13 heading into the fourth quarter favored the host Wildcats. The visiting Bobcats came within a point, 14-13, as the conversion kick was blocked with 1:17 left in the first half, but no closer the remainder of the game.
Morenci scored on four of 11 possessions, its third and fifth of five in the first half as well as its first and sixth of six in the second half.
Benson scored on four of 12 possessions, its fourth and fifth of five in the first half, along with its fifth and seventh of seven in the second half.
In the first half, Morenci gained 26 yards and yielded the ball after losing three yards on 4th-and-5; punted on 4th-and-11; covered 17 yards in four plays; and punted on 4th-and-27.
Senior Marcus Lucero picked up the necessary inches on 3rd-and-goal, and junior Julien Aragon dove in for the conversion run (14-0) with 10:51 left in the second quarter; and senior Christopher Lopez connected with senior Xavier Fernandez for a 26-yard score (20-13) in the closing seconds before halftime.
Benson punted on 4th-and-11; lost three yards on a 1st-and-10 fumble; covered 80 yards in 12 plays; and covered 54 yards in nine plays;
In the second half, the Bobcats gained four yards and fumbled on 4th-and-6, gained two yards in seven plays and punted on 4th-and-21, gained 17 yards and were intercepted on 3rd-and-17, gained five yards and fumbled on 2nd-and-5, covered 45 yards in four plays, gained a yard and were intercepted on 3rd-and-11, and covered 80 yards in 11 plays.
The Wildcats covered 30 yards in one play, fumbled on 4th-and-17, gained 38 yards and turned the ball over on an errant 4th-and-5 snap, gained nine yards and fumbled on 4th-and-1, gained 19 yards and turned the ball over on 4th-and-1, and covered 60 yards in seven plays.
For the game, the Wildcats gained 338 yards, 292 on 50 carries and 46 yards on two receptions while the Bobcats gained 341, 131 yards on 19 carries and 210 on 18 receptions.
2023 Homecoming (Sept. 29)
Safford – 26, Morenci – 14
Safford made its presence known in Lawson Stadium during the second half, shutting out Morenci 17-0 after trailing 9-14 before the break. The Bulldogs scored on three of their four possessions, covering 52 yards in 10 plays, 15 yards in three plays, and 52 yards in one play.
An 11-yard touchdown on 4th-and-goal plus conversion kick (16-14) coupled with a 31-yard field goal on 4th-and-9 (19-14) during the third quarter, and a fourth-quarter pass on 1st-and-10 went for a 52-yard touchdown. The conversion kick provided the 26-14 score with 9:05 left.
The final possession gained two of 95 yards before the Bulldogs twice dropped to a knee to end the game.
Three turnovers sealed Morenci’s loss in the second half. The Wildcats gained 44 of 85 yards in eight plays before being intercepted on 1st-and-10, 28 of 71 yards before fumbling on 1st-and-10, and 62 of 67 yards before turning the ball over on downs with an incomplete pass on 4th-and-goal.
For the game, Safford gained 396 yards in 40 offensive plays, 98 on 16 carries and 298 on 13-24 receptions compared to 266 in 39 plays, 197 on 31 carries and 69 on 3-8 receptions by Morenci.
Defensively, a quarterback sack, five hurried passes, and three pass deflections were posted.
2022 Homecoming (Sept. 30)
Morenci – 56, Globe – 0
The visiting Tigers received the opening kick and enjoyed seven additional possessions, but went three-and-out five times, were intercepted, turned the ball over on downs, and ran out of time.
Necessary yardage to cover totaled 583 (78, 80, 61, 90, 84, 57, 78, 75). Globe wound up netting minus six yards during 27 snaps and trailed by 44 points with 17 seconds left in the first half.
Morenci crossed the goal line on six of seven first-half possessions, totaling 18 plays to cover 239 yards. The Wildcats scored from 48 yards in five plays on a 3-yard run, from 60 yards on a punt return, and from 65 yards in three plays on a 16-yard run in the first quarter. Two conversion runs and a kick made it 23-0 for Morenci.
Second quarter scoring was from 30 yards in two plays on a 23-yard run, from 64 yards in five plays on a 3-yard run, and from 32 yards in two plays on a 28-yard pass. A conversion pass and kick gave the Wildcats a 44-0 halftime advantage. The non-scoring fifth possession resulted in an interception on 2nd-and-8.
Morenci took possession of the second-half kick on the 50 following a failed on-sides attempt and used seven plays to score; a lost fumble resulted on 2nd-and-10 during its second possession, and a turnover on downs followed on its third possession.
A 3-yard third-quarter run (50-0) and a 30-yard interception return provided the final score as the buzzer sounded.
Globe needed 80 yards on its initial second-half possession, gained two yards before fumbling on 3rd-and-12, recovered a fumble on the 10 but punted on 4th-and-18, and got the ball on the 11 before throwing an interception on 3rd-and-19 from the two.
For the evening, Morenci officially walked out of Lawson Stadium totaling 332 offensive yards, 222 on 25 carries and 110 on five pass receptions compared to 18 yards, four on 22 carries and 14 on four pass receptions by Globe. The Wildcats also had 100 return yards while the Tigers tallied 50.
2021 Homecoming (Oct. 1)
Morenci – 46, Bisbee – 7
Morenci scored thrice each on the ground and through the air, along with once on special teams, while Bisbee had a lone score. The teams each totaled 11 possessions.
The visitors won the coin toss, elected to receive, and drove 80 yards in six plays using 2:12 for the initial touchdown, a 9-yard run, and the conversion kick was added. It would be the only points scored by the Pumas.
Bisbee’s advantage was short-lived as the Wildcats returned the ensuing kick 95 yards 13 seconds later and added the conversion kick to tie the score.
The Pumas had five more possessions in the first half, resulting in punts twice, a fumble, a blocked punt, and taking a knee to run down the clock. The punts were on 4th-and-5, 4th-and-6, and 4th-and-18, and the fumble on 3rd-and-9. Bisbee snapped a combined 19 offensive plays and netted three yards during four possessions.
Morenci scored on two of its next four first-half possessions, covering 65 yards in six plays with a 15-yard run and 50 yards in two plays with a 36-yard run. The conversion kick and pass led to a 22-7 first-half advantage.
The other two possessions ended on punts, on 4th-and-28 after losing 18 yards in four plays and on 4th-and-17 after losing seven yards in three plays.
Morenci received the second-half kick and marched 47 yards in six plays plus a 5-yard penalty. A 5-yard run made it 28-7 with 3:05 elapsed in the third quarter. None of the second-half conversion attempts succeeded.
The Wildcats scored three more times through the air, with receptions that went for 10-, 36-, and 40-yard touchdowns. They capped drives of 52 yards in four plays, 83 yards in six plays, and 40 yards in one play.
Morenci’s other two possessions resulted in a gain of seven yards after three plays and a punt on 4th-and-3, and running out of time after a fumble on 3rd-and-15.
Bisbee’s five possessions ended in punts thrice, on 4th-and-37 after three plays losing 27 yards, on 4th-and-7 after three plays gaining 13 yards, and on 4th-and-4 after three plays gaining six yards; by failing to gain a first down on 4th-and-16 after 12 plays gaining 43 yards; and on a fumble on the kickoff.
On the evening, Morenci gained 390 offensive yards, 269 on 26 carries and 121 on 5-9 passes compared with 280 yards, 238 on 36 carries and 42 on 6-10 passes by Bisbee.
2A Pima Roughriders (1-3)
Pima (1-3 overall, 0-0 region) has a seeding win over 2A South 1 Region Tombstone (36-12, Aug. 28) along with losses to 2A Metro 3 Region Scottsdale Christian (7-32, Aug. 21), to 3A Mountain Region Eagar Round Valley (0-56, Sept. 4), and to 2A South 2 Region Willcox (21-34, Sept. 11, 2026).
Thus far, Pima has an average score per game of 16-34 (64-134) or an 18-point deficit.
The Roughriders host the Miami Vandals (Sept. 25) and the Globe Tigers (Oct. 2), visit the Morenci Wildcats (Oct. 9), and host the 2A Metro 2 Region Sierra Vista American Leadership Guardians (Oct. 16).
There are 36 Roughriders on the roster, including 11 seniors, nine juniors, nine sophomores, and seven freshmen. The seniors are Adam Bryce (23), Gilbert Bryce (1), Josh Bryce (55), Cedrick Grimes (2), Jonathan Guerrero (52), Hollen Hoopes (77), Colt Lunt (51), Emmet McBiles (3), Case Mullenaux (72), Joe Palmer (42), and Haydn Wilkins (20); juniors Roddy Allred (32), JoJo Bryce (62), Kaiden Davis (8), Jaxon Donham (56), Keegan Espinoza (7), Jax Haws (75), Ryker Kartchner (74), Ryett McBiles (10), and Mason Skinner (5); sophomores Tucker Bryce (78), Jace Cameron (73), Maclan Duncan (16), Reuben Gutierrez (65), Ethan Lunt (50), Graham McBride (12), Brady McWhorter (88), Landon Miner (18), and Tanner Preston (66); and freshmen Heston Alder (11), Jack Bryce (71), Leo Bryce (22), Cason Elias (61), Caiden McEuen (44), Miles Taylor (58), and Caycen Walker (60).
Pima is competing in the 5-team 2A East Region with the Globe Tigers, the Miami Vandals, the Morenci Wildcats, and the Saint Johns Redskins.
The Roughriders are 34-10 overall under fifth-year (2022-26) head coach Josh Wilkins.
2A Willcox Cowboys (4-0)
Willcox (3-0 overall, 0-0 region) has seeding wins over 2A South 1 Region Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (56-0, Aug. 21), 2A Metro 2 Region Arizona Lutheran (34-14, Aug. 28), 2A East Region Morenci (43-12, Sept. 4), and 2A East Region Pima (34-21, Sept. 11, 2026).
The Cowboys the 2A Metro 2 Region Scottsdale Prep Spartans (Sept. 25), and the Tucson Desert Christian Eagles (Oct. 2), host the Eloy Santa Cruz Dust Devils (Oct. 9), and visit the Benson Bobcats (Oct. 16).
There are 24 Cowboys on the roster, including seven seniors, 12 juniors, four sophomores, and a freshman. The seniors are Alan Allred (50), Casey Cobeen (9), Caleb Cooke (6), Da’Marion Jackson (11), Anthony Morales (7), Eli Nelson (2), and Rhett Rogers (10); juniors Wyatt Cooke (56), Jacob Green (52), Robert Hill Jr. (5), Tyler Larson (73), Nathan Moore (12), Omar Moreno (20), Christian Nolan (44), Steele Romney (22), Ruger Todd (77), Asher Ward (21), Carsen Warner (4), and Carl Wyatt (72); sophomores Aden Berger (66), Daniel Burkhead (19), Brenden Douglas (64), and Zander Klump (13); and freshman Levi McWilliams (67).
Willcox is competing in the 4-team 2A South 2 Region with the Benson Bobcats, the Eloy Santa Cruz Dust Devils, and the Tucson Desert Christian Eagles.
The Cowboys are 3-0 overall under first-year Willcox head coach Steven Ward.
2A East Region
Region standings as of Sept. 17 were Globe (2-2 overall, 1-0 region), Saint Johns (2-2, 0-0), Pima (1-3, 0-0), Morenci (2-2, 0-0), and Miami (2-3, 0-1).
To date, Globe is averaging a 31-20 (125-78) score per game or an 11-point margin, Saint Johns a 30-27 (120-109) score per game or a 3-point margin, Morenci a 10-24 (40-94) score per game or a 14-point deficit, Pima a 16-34 (64-134) score per game or an 18-point deficit, and Miami a 11-36 (42-142) score per game or a 25-point deficit.
A lone region contest has been played to date, with the result being Globe over Miami (48-0, Sept. 10).
2A South 2 Region
Region standings as of Sept. 12 were Eloy Santa Cruz (4-0, 0-0), Willcox (4-0, 0-0), Benson (4-0, 0-0), and Tucson Desert Christian (0-4, 0-0).
To date, Benson is averaging a 42-9 (169-37) score per game or a 33-point margin, Willcox a 42-12 (167-47) score per game or a 30-point margin, Santa Cruz a 32-10 (126-40) score per game or a 22-point margin, and Desert Christian a 12-20 (49-80) score per game or an 8-point deficit. This week, Santa Cruz (4-0) visits 2A Metro 4 Region Phoenix Christian (3-1), Willcox (4-0) visits 2A South 1 Region Tombstone (1-3); Benson (4-0) visits 2A Metro 4 Region Phoenix Veritas Prep (3-1); and Desert Christian (0-4) visits 2A Independent San Carlos (0-4).
