FOOTBALL: Southern Arizona Picks
August 19, 2017 by Andy Morales, AZPreps365
Can Ironwood Ridge move to 2-0 on the year? (ANdy Morales/AZPreps365.com)
There are 38 teams in Southern Arizona from 1A to 6A and 37 will be in action this Friday night with only Nogales drawing a bye. Which game is the “Game of the Week?”
I went 10-2 on my predictions last week with Cholla and Catalina proving me wrong.
Friday, August 25
6A CONFERENCE
Mountain Ridge (0-0) at TUCSON (1-0)
The Badgers beat Mountain Ridge 28-0 last year.
DOBSON (0-0) at Rincon/University (0-1)
The Mustangs won 42-7 at home last year.
Sunnyside (1-0) at PUEBLO (1-0)
The Blue Devils took care of 4A Pueblo 10-6 last year but the rematch will be at Pueblo.
5A CONFERENCE
IRONWOOD RIDGE (1-0) at Sunnyslope (0-0)
The Nighthawks won 33-0 at home last year.
CIENEGA (0-0) at Marana (0-1)
The Bobcats won 52-20 last year. Expect another sold out game and prepare for a jammed parking lot (again).
SALPOINTE (1-0) at Mountain View (0-0)
The 4A Lancers won 38-20 last year. Mountain View had an extra week to prepare but it might not be enough.
Sabino (1-0) at SAHUARO (0-0)
3A Sabino has a 21-5 advantage over Sahuaro since the two programs started playing each other again in 1991 after a short break in the “rivalry.” The Sabercats squeaked by with a 41-35 victory last year with a loaded team, giving the Cougars an excellent shot this year.
Buena (0-1) at FLOWING WELLS (0-0)
The Caballeros won 48-13 last year. The Colts have lost 22 games in a row.
Desert View (0-0) at PALO VERDE (1-0)
The 4A Titans have a slight edge this year and look to avenge a 41-14 loss last year.
Amphitheater (0-0) at CHOLLA (1-0)
The Chargers lost to 4A Amphitheater 28-15 last year but the 59-28 dismantling of Douglas last week is cause for concern.
4A CONFERENCE
Shadow Mountain (0-0) at CANYON DEL ORO (0-0)
The Dorados won 41-13 last year.
WALDEN GROVE (0-0) at Rio Rico (0-1)
The Red Wolves won 28-6 last year and Rio Rico dropped a 31-0 decision to Catalina on Friday night.
CATALINA FOOTHILLS (0-1) at Tempe (0-1)
The Falcons won 35-7 last year. This game could be a battle.
DOUGLAS (0-1) at Bisbee (0-0)
The Bulldogs beat 2A Bisbee 34-14 last year.
Nogales (0-1) BYE
3A CONFERENCE
Globe (0-1) at CATALINA (1-0)
The Trojans broke a 13-game skid with their 31-0 victory against Rio Rico. The Tigers lost to Casteel 71-0. 2009 was the last year the Trojans started out a season 2-0.
Coolidge (1-0) at EMPIRE (0-0)
The Bears won 35-20 last year but the Ravens get the edge at home this year.
American Leadership (1-0) at PUSCH RIDGE (0-0)
The Lions gave the eventual state champions a scare last year with a 14-10 loss. This game will be in Oro Valley. Upset special.
Sahuarita (0-0) at SAFFORD (1-0)
The Bulldogs won 42-18 last year.
San Manuel (0-1) at TANQUE VERDE (0-1)
The Hawks won 39-13 last year.
Benjamin Franklin (0-1) at Santa Rita (0-0)
Uncertain if this game will take place with the Eagles cancelling their game last week due to lack of participation.
2A CONFERENCE
THATCHER (1-0) at Benson (0-0)
The Eagles won 56-0 last year.
Paradise Honors (0-0) at SANTA CRUZ (0-0)
The Dust Devils won 40-14 last year.
Tombstone (0-0) at Antelope Union (0-0)
The Yellow Jackets won 62-32 last year.
Willcox (0-1) at Lordsburg (0-0)
The Cowboys have lost to Lordsburg (NM) three years in a row.
1A CONFERENCE
BABOQUIVARI (0-1) at Greyhills (0-0)
The Warriors won 68-22 last year.
Mayer (1-0) at ST. DAVID (0-0)
The Tigers won 69-20 last year.
VALLEY UNION (0-1) at Joseph City (0-0)
The Blue Devils won 54-16 last year.