Friday night's high school football matchups and predictions
Here's a game-by-game look at Friday night's high school football games.
High schoolers compete with Cats on football-filled Friday
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High school football cruises into another week. This time, they'll have some competition: the Arizona Wildcats, who will play UTEP at 7:15 p.m.
Below is a game-by-game preview of what's on tap around Southern Arizona this week. All games kick off at 7 p.m. Friday, unless otherwise noted. Each teams' record this season is in parenthesis, and the Star's pick to win each game is in ALL CAPS.
Amphitheater (0-3) at CANYON DEL ORO (2-1)
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Canyon del Oro running back Elijah Carey (15) falls forward for extra yards during the second quarter.
Amphitheater (0-3) at CANYON DEL ORO (2-1)
Where: 25 W. Calle Concordia, Oro Valley
Winner: The Dorados battled Ironwood Ridge in last week's 24-21 loss, but were stopped CDO on a fourth down late. Amphi, meanwhile, has been outscored 137-0 in its first three games. Expect the Dorados and running back Elijah Carey to rout the Panthers, 56-0.
CATALINA FOOTHILLS (3-1) at Empire (2-1)
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Catalina Foothills High School head football coach Jeff Scurran, left, talks with Max Michalczik during the varsity team’s practice at the school, 4300 E. Sunrise Dr., on Sept. 20, 2016, in Tucson, Ariz. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
CATALINA FOOTHILLS (3-1) at Empire (2-1)
Where: 10701 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way
Winner: Catalina Foothills coach Jeff Scurran is going for his 300th career win as a high school, junior college and Italian league coach. It's a milestone for a coach who’s considered to be one of the greatest of all-time in Tucson. The Falcons will be ready to celebrate. Call it 47-13.
CIENEGA (3-0) at Flowing Wells (1-2)
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Cienega's Jamarye Joiner (11) celebrates scoring the eventual game-deciding touchdown during the fourth quarter.
CIENEGA (3-0) at Flowing Wells (1-2)
Where: 3725 N. Flowing Wells Road
Winner: Flowing Wells lost to Catalina Foothills last week and faces another large challenge this week. Cienega quarterback Jamarye Joiner has contributed 15 touchdowns this season and it doesn’t look like he’s slowing down any time soon. The Bobcats' defense has stepped up in a big way since surrendering up 50 points to Marana in the season opener. Since then, the Bobcats have only given up six points. Expect Cienega to take this one, 56-0.
DOUGLAS (0-3) at Nogales (0-3)
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The linebacker corps breaks a huddle during the Nogales High School football team’s practice.
DOUGLAS (0-3) at Nogales (0-3)
Where: 1950 Apache Blvd., Nogales
Winner: One team will win its first game of the season when the Bulldogs and Apaches meet Friday night. Douglas lost by one possession in the previous two games, so a win has to be in the mix this week. Expect the visitors to win, 28-10.
Palo Verde (1-3) at CHOLLA (2-2)
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The Cholla “C” in the entry plaza at Cholla High School in Tucson, AZ. Photo taken Wednesday, July 22, 2015.
Palo Verde (1-3) at CHOLLA (2-2)
Where: 2001 W. Starr Pass Blvd.
Winner: Cholla has dropped two consecutive games after starting off 2-0, but boasts one of the top quarterbacks in Tucson. Jordan Porter completed 21 of 33 passes for 321 yards and four touchdowns along with three interceptions in last week's 66-46 loss. Palo Verde has been outscored 115-14 since its season opening win against Tanque Verde. Cholla should have no problem with this game and should win, 45-7.
PUEBLO (3-0) at Walden Grove (2-1)
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PUEBLO (3-0) at Walden Grove (2-1)
Where: 15510 S. Sahuarita Park Road, Sahuarita
Winner: Pueblo is one of the most intriguing teams in Tucson. But how good are the Warriors? We may not find out this week. Walden Grove’s only wins are against teams with sub-.500 records, so Pueblo should take care of business on the road. Call it 42-6.
RIO RICO (1-3) at Rincon/University (0-4)
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Mountain View's Shaun Buttigieg (28) gets stiff-armed by the Rincon/University quarterback during the third quarter.
RIO RICO (1-3) at Rincon/University (0-4)
Where: 421 N. Arcadia Blvd.
Winner: This is a tough game to pick, because Rio Rico struggles on the road and Rincon is desperate for a win. The Rangers had just five first downs last week. Expect Rio Rico to steal this game, 20-6.
SABINO (2-1) at Tanque Verde (0-4)
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Sabino's head coach Ryan McBrayer calls for the extra point play after the Sabercats scored against Sahuaro in the third quarter of their game at Sahuaro High School, Friday, August 25, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
SABINO (2-1) at Tanque Verde (0-4)
Where: 4201 N. Melpomene Way
Winner: Sabino is coming off a bye week after losing to American Leadership Academy. Expect running back Isaiah Smotherman to bounce back after he was limited to 17 yards on eight carries in his last game. Tanque Verde has improved, but the Sabercats will handle the Hawks. Call it 63-7.
Sahuarita (1-2) at PUSCH RIDGE CHRISTIAN (3-0)
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Pusch Ridge's Cody Cropp (2) wriggles out of the grip of Payson's Trey Glasscock (50) to fend off a sack in the second of their first round game of the DIV state playoffs at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, Oro Valley, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Sahuarita (1-2) at PUSCH RIDGE CHRISTIAN (3-0)
Where: 9500 N. Oracle Road
Winner: The Lions definitely pass the eye test. They beat the defending state champions in American Leadership Academy in the season opener and since then, have wiped out both Walden Grove and Safford. Pusch Ridge belongs in the conversation as top-tier team in Tucson. Or at least it should, after it beats Sahuarita, 56-0.
SAHUARO (0-3) at Desert View (2-1)
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Sahuaro's players mass behind their banner before taking the field for the second half against Sabino at Sahuaro High School, Friday, August 25, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
SAHUARO (0-3) at Desert View (2-1)
Where: 4101 E. Valencia Road
Winner: This might be one of the closest games in Tucson this week. Sahuaro is in dire need of its first win. Expect the Cougars to lean on running back Tayvion White-Austin, who rushed for 83 yards on four carries in last week’s loss to Marana. Desert View’s defense has struggled against the run, so Sahuaro to upset Desert View at home, 23-21.
Santa Rita (0-2) at CATALINA (3-1)
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Santa Rita (0-2) at CATALINA (3-1)
Where: 3645 E. Pima St.
Winner: Santa Rita has been outscored 114-6 in the last two weeks, and that’s not counting a canceled season-opener. The Eagles are in complete rebuild mode and face a Catalina team that is striving for a playoff spot. Expect the Trojans to take this game at home, 33-6.
Sunnyside (1-3) at SALPOINTE CATHOLIC (3-0)
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Salpointe's Bijan Robinson (5) jukes his way around Tucson's Aaron Barton (6) and snakes out a few more yards on an end run in the third quarter of their game at Kino Sports Complex, Friday, September 8, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
Sunnyside (1-3) at SALPOINTE CATHOLIC (3-0)
Where: 1545 E. Copper St.
Winner: When Salpointe Catholic sophomore running back Bijan Robinson isn’t hurdling over defenders like he did last week against Tucson High (see below), he’s finding the end zone — eight times, to be exact. Robinson is on pace to rush well over 2,000 yards this season. Expect him to run wild at home as the Lancers win, 35-6.
Player of the game: #SalpointeCatholic RB Bijan Robinson finished with 209 yards on 19 carries & two touchdowns. Play of the game: #azhsfb pic.twitter.com/cH9wssdDd4
— High School Sports (@HSTucson) September 9, 2017
TUCSON HIGH (2-2) at Mountain View (2-1)
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Tucson's Sebastian Romano (72) left, and Jonah Miller (76) take a knee together before the Badgers take the field to face Salpointe at Kino Sports Complex, Friday, September 8, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
TUCSON HIGH (2-2) at Mountain View (2-1)
Where: 3901 W. Linda Vista Blvd., Marana
Winner: Tucson High had Salpointe Catholic on the ropes last week until midway through the third quarter. Mountain View, on the other hand, trailed Salpointe 24-0 at halftime when the teams met in Week 1. Using Salpointe as the common denominator, Tucson High is the better team. Expect the Badgers to win a defensive battle, 20-18.
