Friday night's high school football matchups, predictions and score updates

Another week of high school football in Southern Arizona is brewing and storylines are everywhere. Kris O’Dowd is getting his No. 76 retired by Salpointe Catholic, and undefeated Douglas visits Tucson to face a struggling Pueblo team. The Star’s Justin Spears breaks down and predicts how each matchup will pan out this week. All games kick off at 7 p.m. Friday, and predicted winners are in ALL CAPS.

Prediction: DOUGLAS (5-0) at Pueblo (1-4)

Where: 3500 S. 12th Ave.

Matchup: Who would’ve guessed the team that went 0-10 a year ago would have one of its best starts in program history? The Bulldogs are one of Southern Arizona’s best storylines this season. Pueblo has solid individual talent, but the Warriors haven’t been able to translate it into wins. It’s difficult to pick against undefeated Douglas. Expect a 35-14 win over Pueblo.

Prediction: Sahuaro (5-1) at SALPOINTE CATHOLIC (5-0)

Where: 1545 E. Copper St.

Matchup: Sahuaro’s defense has only allowed 20 points over the last four games, and has pitched two shutouts in the last two games. Salpointe Catholic will be without star running back Bijan Robinson, who tweaked his ankle two weeks ago against Glendale Cactus. Fellow Lancers star Mario Padilla is expected to return from a groin injury that has sidelined him the last two weeks. Salpointe will win, but it won’t be a walk in the park. Expect a 31-18 Lancers win.

Prediction: Sierra Vista Buena (3-2) at MARANA (4-1)

Where: 12000 W. Emigh Road, Marana

Matchup: Marana is coming off a crushing 33-14 loss to Williams Field, but after taking the week off, expect the Tigers to be back in full swing. This week should be a shootout between Marana quarterback Trenton Bourguet and Buena gunslinger Jovoni Borbon. Bourguet has better weapons to throw to, so Marana should put together a big win. Call it 56-35 over the Colts.

Prediction: Catalina Foothills (2-3) at CANYON DEL ORO (4-1)

Where: 25 W. Calle Concordia, Oro Valley

Matchup: CDO’s offense has been rolling ever since the Dorados’ Week 1 loss to Flowing Wells. CDO has since averaged 42.3 points per game behind sophomore running back Stevie Rocker and senior quarterback Zach Eidenschink. Eidenschink has nine touchdown passes to just one interception, while Rocker averaged 154 rushing yards per game. CDO’s offense is almost at its fifth gear, but don’t expect it to be easy. Expect the Dorados to fend off the Falcons, 45-34.

Prediction: PUSCH RIDGE CHRISTIAN (2-3) at Tanque Verde (2-3)

Where: 4201 N. Melpomene Way

Matchup: This isn’t a typo: Pusch Ridge Christian quarterback Jonathan Stanton went 0 for 2 for zero yards in the team’s 27-3 win over Fountain Hills last week. Sophomore running back Evan Lovett did all the heavy lifting, rushing for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Lovett will repeat that performance as Pusch Ridge Christian wears down Tanque Verde, 28-12.

Prediction: Nogales (2-3) at IRONWOOD RIDGE (2-3)

Where: 2475 W. Naranja Drive

Matchup: After losing three straight games, the Nighthawks got back into the winner’s column. Nathan Grijalva rushed for 164 yards and four touchdowns last week against Desert View. The senior running back now has six scores on the year. We expect Grijalva to have a similar performance Friday, and Ironwood Ridge wins, 42-8.

Prediction: FLOWING WELLS (4-1) at Empire (2-3)

Where: 10701 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way, Vail

Matchup: After a brutal 0-3 start, Empire’s spread offense has the Ravens one game away from .500. Empire took care of Nogales behind quarterback Alex Verdugo’s 391-yard, five-touchdown performance. Verdugo was also intercepted three times. Turnovers won’t fly against a Flowing Wells team that has raised some eyebrows with its play this season. Flowing Wells running back Raashad Henderson has yet to rush under 120 yards per game this season, and that won’t change Friday night. It’s close, but the Caballeros sneak away with a 30-24 win over the Ravens.

Prediction: SABINO (3-2) at Catalina (1-4)

Where: 3645 E. Pima St.

Matchup: Sabino has won three consecutive games after starting 0-2. Sabercats running back Jamel Brown had a coming-out party in last week’s win over Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin, rushing for 136 yards. Sabino is gaining momentum, while Catalina is just struggling to win. Expect the Sabercats to get their fourth straight win after routing Catalina 38-10.

Prediction: MOUNTAIN VIEW (0-5) at Cholla (0-5)

Where: 2001 W. Starr Pass Blvd.

Matchup: Someone will get their first win this weekend. Are the Mountain Lions in a down year? Absolutely, but they’ve also played opponents — Ironwood Ridge, Queen Creek Casteel and Cienega among them — that will most likely make the playoffs. The Mountain Lions have enough talent to pull out an easy victory over a Cholla team that has only scored 14 points through five games. We like Mountain View cruising to a 35-0 win.

Prediction: Sunnyside (3-2) at CIENEGA (4-1)

Where: 12775 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way, Vail

Matchup: Cienega has bounced back since getting blown out 35-0 by Peoria Centennial two weeks ago. The Bobcats scored 31 first-half points against Mountain View last week, and won 38-21 after giving up two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Cienega two-way star Terrell Hayward tabbed 100 yards receiving and two touchdowns on six catches. Sophomore safety Sebastian Felix was the defensive bright spot for the Bobcats with eight tackles, one for loss and two pass deflections. Sunnyside is a much better team than a year ago, but Cienega will be too much for the Blue Devils. Cienega rolls, 45-17.

Prediction: Rincon/University (1-4) at DESERT VIEW (1-4)

Where: 4101 E. Valencia Road

Matchup: The Rangers took down Palo Verde 51-45 last week, so it wouldn’t be that surprising if Rincon/University came out and took care of business. However, Desert View is hungry — if not starving — for a win. The more desperate Jaguars win, 28-27.

Prediction: PALO VERDE (1-4) at Amphitheater (1-4)

Where: 125 W. Yavapai Road

Matchup: Palo Verde is similar to the 2017 Cholla team that had Southern Arizona’s leading passer Jordan Porter. The Porter of the 2018 season is Palo Verde’s Jequarious “JQ” Hale, who leads the Titans in rushing and passing. He alone will lead Palo Verde a 28-23 victory.

Prediction: Rio Rico (1-4) at WALDEN GROVE (3-2)

Where: 15510 S. Sahuarita Park Road, Sahuarita

Matchup: Rio Rico is on a three-game losing streak, and it won’t get any easier as the Hawks travel to Sahuarita to face a talented Walden Grove squad. The Red Wolves fell 35-14 last week to Glendale, but should have no problem at home against Rio Rico. Walden Grove wins in blowout fashion, 49-7.

Prediction: Safford (2-3) at SAHUARITA (4-1)

Where: 350 W. Sahuarita Road, Sahuarita

Matchup: Sahuarita is an overtime period away from having an undefeated record, while Safford is an overtime period away from having a winning record. This matchup should be one of the better ones in Southern Arizona on Friday night. Last season, the Mustangs fell to Safford 38-0. Sahuarita will get its revenge Friday with a 24-20 win.

Prediction: TONOPAH VALLEY (4-1) at Santa Rita (0-5)

Where: 3951 S. Pantano Road

Matchup: Winless Santa Rita scored 28 points last week, which was the most they’ve put up in a game in two years. Their offensive success won’t last. Expect Tonopah Valley to win easy, 63-0.