The high school football season is in full swing in Southern Arizona. The Star shares our weekly look back at the best of last week while charging ahead toward what we might be able to expect from programs across Tucson and surrounding communities this Friday night.
Team of the week
Sabino's Chance Zimmer (10) gets a finger or two into the face mask of Mica Mountain's Josiah Thornwell (5) in the third quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 13, 2024. There was no penalty called on the play.
Mica Mountain, of the Class 4A conference, went up Interstate 10 and crushed previously unbeaten Casa Grande of 5A 41-7.
MM (5-0) has won 21 of its last 23 games.
Mica Mountain senior running back Josiah Thornwell ran for 138 yards and two scores on 15 carries. Additionally, MM senior running back Jordan Perry rushed for 105 yards on 16 attempts.
Thunderbolts senior defensive end Jimmy Leon recorded three sacks.
Mica Mountain’s Josiah Thornwell attempts to stiff-arm his way around Sabino’s Javian Winton in the first quarter of a Sept. 13 game.
Play of the week
Flowing Wells’ furious rally against Phoenix Barry Goldwater came up short on Friday, according to All Sports Tucson, as the Cabs lost 29-28. Goldwater led 21-7, but FW came back to lead 22-21. Goldwater went ahead 29-22, and after FW junior receiver Jack Youmans scored a 50-yard touchdown, the Caballeros’ 2-point conversion was unsuccessful. Flowing Wells recovered the onside kick, but the Bulldogs secured the win by stopping FW senior quarterback Tyler Friedenberg on fourth-and-4 with 41 seconds left.
Marana's Dominic Cillitto (6) cradles the game-winning touchdown throw alone in the end zone in the fourth quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Stat book
Marana junior quarterback Colten Meyer was 30 for 34 for 470 yards passing and 3 touchdowns in the Tigers’ 48-0 win over Canyon del Oro on Friday. Marana senior receiver Dezmen Roebuck caught seven passes for 128 yards, and Marana senior receiver Dominic Cillitto caught 7 balls for 155 yards.
Sunnyside junior quarterback Raymond Duarte rushed 8 times for 101 yards and one score in the Blue Devils’ 37-0 win over Nogales last week.
/Sunnyside's Raymond Duarte (8) tries to evade the pursuit of the Flowing Wells defense on a scramble in the thrid quarter of their high school game at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 5, 2024.
Recruiting trail
Salpointe Catholic alumnus and former UA and Buffalo Bills lineman John Fina, along with his son Roman Fina, visited Duke for the Blue Devils’ 21-20 win over North Carolina.
In June, Roman, a Salpointe tackle/guard, committed to Duke. Also, Salpointe alum and offensive lineman Bruno Fina (Roman's brother; John's son) transferred to Duke after he graduated from UCLA. John posted a photo to X (Twitter) of him and Roman Roman alongside former Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley II.
Sabino's Shamar Berryhill (4) tiptoes down the line to pick up a couple of extra yards after a sideline catch against Mohave in their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 27, 2023.
Quotable
"Centennial unleashes its transfers this week. The Coyotes are 1-4, but watch out for the biggest transformation of any high school football team in Arizona in the second half of the season. ... Their 4 losses came against teams with combined 17-1 record." — a post from Arizona Republic high school reporter Richard Obert on X (Twitter). One of those losses for Peoria Centennial came to Salpointe Catholic. Among those transfers who will be eligible after sitting out five games are former Sabino players Shamar Berryhill and Romeo Berryhill. Shamar, a senior receiver, has received a scholarship offer from the UA and Romeo is a sophomore receiver/defensive back. Their older brother, Stanley Berryhill III, played at Arizona and in the NFL.
Games of the week
Buena (4-1) at Casa Grande (4-1)
Location: 2730 N. Trekell Road, Casa Grande
Notable: Casa Grande’s Cougars look to bounce back after they were routed at home by Mica Mountain (not unlike how Buena rebounded after its 42-29 home loss to Tucson High to rout Pueblo 56-0 last week). CG hasn't dropped two in a row at home since 2022. It’s the first game of 5A Southern play for both sides. The game starts at 7 p.m.
Sabino (2-3) at Pusch Ridge (4-1)
Location: 9500 North Oracle Road
Notable: Tucson’s 3A rivalry continues with Pusch Ridge Christian looking to make up for recent losses to the defending state champions. The Sabercats have beaten the Lions in four of their last five matchups, including 40-27 last year. Although Sabino has three losses, two of those are to 4A teams (5-0 Mica Mountain and 3-2 Sahuaro). The game starts at 7 p.m.
