By Jon Johnson
MOGOLLON – As crisp autumn air settles over Graham and Greenlee counties, high school football enters its most thrilling chapter: the postseason. Under head coach Dan Coats, the Duncan Wildkats have officially punched their ticket to the 1A State Playoffs, earning the No. 12 seed and setting their sights on a deep postseason run.
Duncan’s journey to the state bracket has been a true battle-tested campaign. Competing in the rugged 1A South region, the Wildkats finished conference play 2-1 to finish second in the region, with a 4-5 regular-season record and a No. 13 power ranking.
The Wildkats opened their season on Aug. 21 across the state line against Lordsburg (NM), falling in a hard-fought 48-20 contest. They quickly rebounded in Week 2, picking up their first fall win with a gritty 28-14 road win over Fort Thomas. Duncan then treated home fans to an offensive showcase in Week 3, outgunning Sedona Red Rock 52-18.
After a tough 50-8 home loss to a powerhouse St. David squad, the Wildkats put on one of the year’s most electric performances on Sept. 18, lighting up the scoreboard in a 74-46 shootout win over Maryvale Prep. They carried that momentum right into a dominant defensive showing on Sept. 25, shutting out the Baboquivari Warriors 38-0.
The final stretch of the regular season tested Duncan’s resolve as they faced a gauntlet of top-tier 1A opponents, dropping matchups to Ray, San Manuel, and Hayden to close out October. However, the Wildkats’ fall work proved more than enough to secure a coveted postseason berth.
Now, the slate is wiped clean.
Duncan will hit the road for the opening round of the 1A State Football Playoffs on Oct. 23, traveling north to face the No. 5-seeded Mogollon Mustangs at Mogollon High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. For the Wildkats, the mission is clear: harness the grit and resilience forged through a demanding regular season to pull off a statement playoff upset.
If the Wildkats get past Mogollon, they’ll face a familiar foe in the quarterfinals on Oct. 30: No. 4 St. David, with a trip to St. David on the line. But for now, all focus remains squarely on the road to Mogollon as the Wildkats look to write the next great chapter of Duncan football.
