The Thatcher Eagles kick of their 2011 schedule on the road Friday night in Miami. This will be the first meeting between the schools since 2004, when they were in the 2A Copper Region. Thatcher won the last meeting 51-0.

Thatcher finished the 2010 season with a heartbreaking 22-20 loss to Yuma Catholic in the state quarterfinals. The Eagles return senior quarterback Luke Ochoa . Ochoa took over the starting job in the fourth week of last season and never relinquished it. The Eagles will rely on him to shoulder much of the offensive load in the run first offense.

The Miami Vandals finished last season with a 6-5 record and a crushing 49-6 defeat by eventual state champion, Northwest Christian in the first round of the state playoffs. The Vandals are looking to replace quarterback Riley Mawson, who was the team leader in passing and rushing yards. No other quarterback on the Miami roster attempted more than 5 passes last season.

- Lee Patterson