High school football: Week 8 matchups and game predictions
Room for error is slim as playoffs continue to near so the buzz around Southern Arizona high school football is growing.
This week's game-of-the-week features Tucson High and Ironwood Ridge. The Nighthawks look to build off last week's win and the Badgers could pull off the win and possibly sneak into playoffs considering their last two games are at home. But Tucson High has to get through IRHS if it wants a shot at the playoff bracket.
All games will be played on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. and predicted winners are in ALL CAPS.
Arizona Daily Star record: 99-21
Tucson High (3-4) at IRONWOOD RIDGE (5-2)
Updated
Ironwood Ridge's Noah Pallanes (2) tries to shove his mouthpiece back in while reeling off a big run against Mountain View in the second quarter of their game at Mountain View High School, Thursday, September 28, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
Where: 2475 W. Naranja Drive
Winner: A Tucson High win, one that would keep the Badgers in the playoff race, would be one of the feel-good stories of the season. The Badgers had a brutal schedule all season long. Ironwood Ridge had a hiccup halfway through the season losing to Mountain View and Queen Creek in back-to-back weeks, but recharged with a 50-15 win over Sierra Vista Buena last week. Tucson High has struggled against run-first teams this season, and the Nighthawks have one of the best rush attacks in Tucson. Expect the Nighthawks to win 34-28.
CIENEGA (7-0) at Sierra Vista Buena (4-3)
Updated
Cienega's Jerry White (17) coaxes the student section to roar as he celebrates a fourth-quarter touchdown.
Where: 5225 Buena School Blvd., Sierra Vista
Winner: The Colts have only lost one home game all season, so maybe they can keep this one competitive for at least a half. Cienega is one of Southern Arizona's best teams, and has proven it can when even when quarterback Jamarye Joiner has an off-night. Cienega takes this one 48-13.
DESERT VIEW (3-4) at Flowing Wells (1-6)
Updated
The Flowing Wells football stadium, 3725 N. Flowing Wells Road, has hosted some big games, including a 17-10 win over Marana to end the 1982 regular season. “We rarely see a small crowd; it’s usually packed,” coach Mark Brunenkant says.
Where: 3725 N. Flowing Wells Road
Winner: Much like Tucson High, the Jaguars are in dire need of a win if they want to stay in the playoff hunt. They're fortunate to be facing Flowing Wells, which hasn't won a game since Week 2 and has dropped five straight. The Caballeros have averaged just seven points per game over the last month. If Desert View can find the end zone a few times, it'll win. Let's call it 20-6.
MARANA (5-2) at San Tan Valley Poston Butte (4-3)
Updated
Marana’s Trenton Bourguet (5) fires a pass during the fourth quarter of the Cienega vs. Marana high school football game on Aug. 25, 2017, at Marana High School, 12000 W Emigh Road, in Marana, Ariz. Cienega won the offensive slugfest 57-50.
Where: 32375 N. Gantzel Road, San Tan Valley
Winner: Outside of Cienega and Pusch Ridge Christian, Marana might be the hottest team in Southern Arizona. Quarterback Trenton Bourguet won a head-to-head battle with Cholla's Jordan Porter last week, throwing four touchdowns. Poston Butte's defense has given up 24.3 points per game and with Marana's high-powered offense coming through, that average should go up. Expect the Tigers to roll 49-20.
Nogales (2-5) at SALPOINTE CATHOLIC (6-1)
Updated
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.
Where: 1545 E. Copper Street
Winner: Salpointe Catholic running back Bijan Robinson returned from his ankle injury last week. Nogales has kept games close this season, but the Apaches have a tendency to let games slip away in the second half. This one won't get that far: Salpointe Catholic cruises to a 54-6 win.
PALO VERDE (3-5) at Amphitheater (1-6)
UpdatedWhere: 125 W. Yavapai Road
Winner: Amphitheater beat Douglas a week ago for its first win of the year. Now, the Panthers host Palo Verde in what should be a close battle. The Titans may have a couple of more wins than Amphitheater, but the Panthers may be more desperate. This will be a physical, grind-it-out type of game, but Palo Verde should take this one 24-15.
PUEBLO (5-2) at Douglas (0-7)
Updated
Pueblo High School coach Brandon Sanders laughs with a few of the other coaches on the dais at the Coaches for Charity High School Football Kickoff Classic Luncheon, Saturday, August 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Where: 1500 15th Street, Douglas
Winner: Pueblo is a difficult team to figure out. One week, the Warriors get blown out by Walden Grove; later, they upset Canyon del Oro at home. Pueblo is a sleeper, and — with games against Palo Verde and Amphitheater left on the schedule — could finish with one of the better records in Southern Arizona. Douglas is having a down season so even if Pueblo struggles on the road, which is very possible, the Warriors will win. Call it 38-0.
SABINO (5-2) at Sahuarita (2-5)
Updated
Sahuarita's student section rubs it in as the Mustangs begin to pour it on in the third quarter against Walden Grove.
Where: 350 W. Sahuarita Road, Sahuarita
Winner: Sabino led Pusch Ridge Christian 7-6 last week … then surrendered 38 unanswered points. Luckily for the Sabercats, Sahuarita isn't Pusch Ridge Christian. Sabino should be able to regroup and win on the road 50-14.
Sahuaro (3-4) at MOUNTAIN VIEW (6-1)
Updated
Mountain View senior lineman Kai Golden set several goals for himself when he joined the team three years ago. One of them was getting offered a college scholarship. He has received several. “I like to work like I still have no offers,” he said.
Where: 3901 W. Linda Vista Blvd., Marana
Winner: Sahuaro has won three of its last four games and pulled within two scores against Cienega last week. If this game was played at Sahuaro, it'd have upset special written all over it, but Mountain View hasn't lost a game since its first game against Salpointe Catholic. Mountain View's defense is one of the best groups around and since it's senior night, it's the Mountain Lions' night. Mountain View wins 38-20.
Santa Rita (0-6) at EMPIRE (4-3)
Updated
Empire's Jalen Smith (23) pushes aside Pusch Ridge Christian's Blake Reilly (32) on a run during the first quarter.
Where: 10701 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way, Vail
Winner: The Ravens took out their frustration against a solid Catalina team last week and won 41-14. This week should be a similar result against a Santa Rita team that is out of sorts. Expect the Ravens to take it 56-0.
SUNNYSIDE (1-6) at Rincon/University (3-4)
Updated
Mountain View's Shaun Buttigieg (28) gets stiff-armed by the Rincon/University quarterback during the third quarter.
Where: 421 N. Arcadia Blvd.
Winner: The Rangers are a much better team at this point in the season than they were in the first few weeks. Sunnyside lost to Tucson High in overtime last week, the latest in a series of heartbreaking finishes. The Blue Devils lost to Pueblo and Desert View by four points combined. Expect Sunnyside to return to the win column with a 20-17 win over Rincon/University.
Tanque Verde (2-5) at PUSCH RIDGE CHRISTIAN (7-0)
Updated
Pusch Ridge Christian's Mitch Maas stiff arms his way around Sabino's Jimmy Hamilton en route to the end zone for a score on Friday, October 6, 2017. Pusch Ridge is 7-0 and seems destined to meet Casteel High School in the state title game.
Where: 9500 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley
Winner: The Lions made a statement last week against Sabino, pounding the Sabercats following a slow start. Quarterback Christian Fetsis is one of the smartest quarterbacks in Southern Arizona. The Lions' offense relies heavily on the triple option, but once defenses stack the box, Fetsis takes shots down the field. He completed 5 of 6 passes for 141 yards against Sabino. The Lions' undefeated season will remain intact after with a 63-14 win over Tanque Verde.
WALDEN GROVE (5-2) at Canyon del Oro (3-4)
Updated
Where: 25 W. Calle Concordia, Oro Valley
Winner: Walden Grove has a difficult time against teams with solid running backs. Just last week, it surrendered 188 rushing yards and three touchdowns to Salpointe Catholic's Bijan Robinson. The defense will be tested once again by CDO's Elijah Carey, though the Dorados are struggling. Since starting the season 3-1, CDO has lost three straight — including last week's 22-17 loss to Pueblo. If CDO stays in a funk, Walden Grove will roll. Call it 37-13.
