Schedule for Friday, Oct. 17

 

Ironwood Ridge (6-1, 2-0) at Tucson (4-3, 1-0) NON REGION

One of the last non-region games of the year pits 5A No. 5 Ironwood Ridge at 6A No. 13 Tucson. This game is also the AZPreps365.com Game of the Week.

Although all games are important, a loss for Tucson could drop the Badgers out of the running for an at-large berth to the state playoffs. That would mean a region title would be the only avenue to the playoffs available. The Nighthawks are also fighting to remain near the top of the 5A rankings to avoid an away game in the second round.

Rincon/UHS (3-4, 0-0) at Sunnyside (2-5, 0-1)

This is a must-win game for 6A No. 36 Rincon/University. A win against 6A No. 28 Sunnyside will set up a Tucson Southern Region championship against Tucson on Oct. 21.

Poston Butte (3-4, 0-1) at Marana (5-2, 2-0)

5A No. 28 Poston Butte has to win out to have a shot at the playoffs while 5A No. 7 Marana could take a commanding lead in the Sonoran Region with a victory. The Tigers are also hoping to stay in the top eight to host a playoff game.

Flowing Wells (4-3, 1-1) at Desert View (6-1, 1-0)

5A No. 14 Flowing Wells has an excellent chance to solidify a playoff spot if the Caballeros can pull off an upset at 5A No. 10 Desert View. By the same token, a win by the Jaguars will practically guarantee an at-large spot at the very least.

Catalina Foothills (6-1, 2-0) at Cholla (1-6, 0-2) NON REGION

4A No. 3 Catalina Foothills looks to improve to 7-1 on the year. The Falcons hope to stay in the top four come playoff time.

Buena (0-7, 0-2) at Cienega (7-0, 1-0)

5A No. 2 Cienega will move to 8-0 after Friday, setting up a huge game at Ironwood Ridge the following week.

Mountain View (5-2, 1-0) at Sahuaro (2-5, 1-1)

5A No. 9 Marana Mountain View is hoping to get back into the top eight before the Mountain Lions host Cienega on Oct. 28. 5A No. 24 Sahuaro is capable of playing spoiler the rest of the way. The Cougars cannot be overlooked.

Salpointe (5-2, 1-0) at Nogales (3-4, 0-2)

4A No. 7 Salpointe is keeping pace with Catalina Foothills and the Lancers will host the Falcons on Oct. 21.

Canyon del Oro (4-3, 0-1) at Walden Grove (3-4, 1-1)

4A No. 14 Canyon del Oro can’t take 4A No. 27 Walden Grove for granted if the Dorados want to hold onto an at-large berth.

Amphitheater (5-2, 1-0) at Palo Verde (2-6, 0-2)

4A No. 17 Amphitheater will move closer to a playoff spot but the panthers will be fighting 4 A No. 23 Pueblo for the Gila Region championship at the end of the year. It looks like only one team will get into the playoffs at this point.

Douglas (4-3, 1-1) at Pueblo (4-3, 1-0)

As mentioned above, the Warriors need to keep winning. They are in playoff mode. Every game is a playoff game now.

Catalina (0-7, 0-4) at Rio Rico (3-4, 1-1) NON REGION

4A No. 34 Rio Rico still has a region shot. Can play spoiler.

Sahuarita (2-5, 1-2) at Sabino (6-1, 4-0)

3A No. 4 Sabino holds all region tiebreakers and will be the South Region champion if the Sabercats beat 3A No. 27 Sahuarita at home. The only issue will be strength of schedule and trying to hold a top-four spot.

Pusch Ridge (4-3, 2-1) at Tanque Verde (3-5, 2-2)

3A No. 8 Pusch Ridge is playing to improve playoff position.

Empire (2-5, 2-1) at Santa Rita (1-6, 1-2)

3A No. 26 Empire has to win out and hope Pusch Ridge loses a game.

Thatcher (6-1, 3-0) at Round Valley (7-0, 3-0)

2A No. 1 Thatcher faces 2A No. 2 Round Valley. State championship preview?

Santa Cruz (6-0, 2-0) at Willcox (2-5, 0-2)

2A No. 3 Santa Cruz hoping to keep pace with 2A No. 5 Benson.

Benson (6-1, 2-0) at Bisbee (3-4, 1-1)

The Bobcats have a tough rivalry game at 2A No. 15 Bisbee.

Tombstone (4-3, 1-2) at Morenci (3-4, 1-3) NON REGION

2A No. 11 Tombstone faces 2A No. 12 Morenci. A non-region game but can decide which team will be left out of the playoffs.

San Manuel (1-7, 1-2) at Hayden (4-3, 2-2) NON REGION

2A No. 32 San Manuel will pay an 8-man game at 1A No. 9 Hayden.

St. David (5-2, 3-0) at Valley Union (6-1, 3-0)

1A No. 4 Valley Union will host 1A No. 5 St. David for the South Region championship. The 1 A brackets will be released on Saturday.

Baboquivari (3-3, 1-2) at Patagonia (1-5, 0-3)

1A No. 14 Baboquivari still has a slim shot at the playoffs.

Duncan (4-3, 3-2) at NFL Yet (5-1, 3-1)

1A No. 11 Duncan needs a big win over 1A No. 6 NFL Yet to make the playoffs.

Safford (4-4, 2-1) BYE WEEK