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

For some high school football teams, the halfway point of the season is good time to determine if they’re built for a deep playoff. For others, it’s a reality check.

Friday’s game of the week features two teams — Salpointe Catholic and Tucson High — who fit into the first category. The teams are a combined 9-0 at the midway point, and have not only state playoffs but deep postseason runs in mind.

The Star’s Justin Spears previews each game Friday night and predicts the outcome. Each game is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. and predicted winners are in ALL CAPS.

Prediction: Tucson High (5-0) at SALPOINTE CATHOLIC (4-0)

Where: 1545 E. Copper Street

Matchup: Tucson High already already has wins this season (five) than in 2017 (four), making them one of the biggest surprises in Southern Arizona this season. Led by running back Gary Love and quarterback Jesus Montano, Tucson High’s offense has outscored its opponents 124-14 in the last three weeks. The last time Tucson High and Salpointe Catholic battled, Lancers running back Bijan Robinson hurdled over a defender for a touchdown, a highlight play that went viral. Robinson has been a workhorse for the Lancers, averaging 238.3 rushing yards per game, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Tucson High will give the Lancers a tough look defensively, but stopping Robinson and fellow running back Mario Padilla is a brutal task. Salpointe Catholic holds off the Badgers, 42-23.

Prediction: Prescott (3-1) at CANYON DEL ORO (3-1)

Where: 25 W. Calle Concordia, Oro Valley

Matchup: Friday marks a makeup game after the teams’ Week 2 matchup was rained out. That may be a blessing in disguise for a CDO team that was upset by Flowing Wells the week before. Now? The Dorados have won three straight games and boast one of the best rushing attacks behind sophomore Stevie Rocker, senior Diego Munguia and senior Tiki Garcia. Expect the rushing game to wear Prescott down, and for CDO to run away with a 42-28 win.

Prediction: Sierra Vista Buena (3-1) at GLENDALE APOLLO (1-3)

Where: 8045 N. 47th Ave., Glendale

Matchup: Buena quarterback Jovoni Borbon threw for just 76 yards against Desert View last week. If Borbon gets the hot hand in the pocket, the Colts can pull off the win, but Apollo’s experience against tougher opponents bodes well for the Hawks. Buena competes, but Apollo wins it 33-17.

Prediction: Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (3-2) at SABINO (2-2)

Where: 5000 N. Bowes Road

Matchup: Well, looky here: Sabino has clawed back to .500 after an ugly first two games. The Sabercats spoiled Jeff Scurran’s homecoming two weeks ago and then followed it up with a four-point win over Lakeside Blue Ridge.  Friday’s rematch of last year’s state semifinals  should be a good one; expect Sabino to get its revenge in a tight one, 31-28.

Prediction: CIENEGA (3-1) at Mountain View (0-4)

Where: 3901 W. Linda Vista Blvd.

Matchup: Mountain View is off to its worst start since 2009, and things won’t get any easier on Friday. Cienega routed Rincon 56-14 last week to get back into the winner’s column. Quarterback Luis Morales completed 10 of 11 passes passing for 161 yards and four touchdowns, and that was without star player Terrell Hayward. With Hayward back into the fold, Bobcats should take care of business on the road. Call it 49-20.

Prediction: Empire (1-3) at NOGALES (2-2)

Where: 1950 Apache Blvd., Nogales

Matchup: Expect a close one here. Empire won its first game of the season behind running back Wyatt Jeffries’ 177-yard performance. Nogales, on the other hand, took a 49-0 beating from Walden Grove. Despite all that, we like Nogales at home. Let’s call it 28-27 Apaches, with Maile Vasquez hitting a game-winning field goal as time expires.

Prediction: Pueblo (1-3) at CATALINA FOOTHILLS (1-3)

Where: 4300 E. Sunrise Dr.

Matchup: Pueblo has surprisingly struggled through the first four games. So have the Falcons, though their schedule — which Glendale Cactus and Marana — is partly to blame. Foothills is fresh off a bye week, and should be ready to get back on track. The Falcons win, 20-7.

Prediction: WALDEN GROVE (3-1) at Glendale (4-0)

Where: 6216 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale

Matchup: Another program that’s been a pleasant surprise in Southern Arizona this season is Walden Grove. Coach Corey Noble’s defense has given up just 26 points through its last three games. Walden Grove blanked Pusch Ridge Christian 21-0 and blew past Douglas 49-0. Expect the Red Wolves to bring another win home to Sahuarita on Friday. Call it 45-35.

Prediction: Queen Creek San Tan Foothills (2-2) at SAHUARITA (3-1)

Where: 350 W. Sahuarita Road, Sahuarita

Matchup: The Mustangs recorded their first shutout of the season last week with a 46-0 win over Holbrook. Sahuarita can very well finish the season 9-1 or 8-2 if it beats the teams it’s supposed to beat down the stretch. That’ll happen Friday, with a 23-10 win over San Tan Foothills.

Prediction: PUSCH RIDGE CHRISTIAN (1-3) at Fountain Hills (2-2)

Where: 16100 E. Palisades Blvd., Fountain Hills

Matchup: The Lions are off to their worst start since 2012, which isn’t a surprise considering they lost nearly every starter from the 2017 squad that made the Class 3A state championship game. The Lions need a win this week, and they’ll get it. Expect a 21-14 win in Phoenix.

Prediction: IRONWOOD RIDGE (1-3) at Desert View (1-3)

Where: 4101 E. Valencia Road

Matchup: This is another case of don’t-let-the-records-fool-you. Ironwood Ridge lost back-to-back nail-biters to Goodyear Millennium and Gilbert Campo Verde, followed by a blowout loss to Peoria Centennial. Desert View’s defense gave up 304 rushing yards last week against Buena. The Nighthawks have one of the best running backs in Southern Arizona in Nathan Grijalva; expect him to have a huge week to get the season back on track. Ironwood Ridge wins big, 55-7.

Prediction: PALO VERDE (1-3) at Rincon/University (1-3)

Where: 421 N. Arcadia Blvd.

Matchup: Palo Verde struggled the last two weeks, but could turn it around against Rincon. Expect the Titans to win, 21-7.

Predictions: Tanque Verde (0-4) at ARIZONA COLLEGE PREP (0-4)

Where: 3434 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716

Prediction: SAN MANUEL (0-4) at Santa Rita (0-4)

Where: 3951 S. Pantano Road

Matchup: This could be the week Richard Sanchez gets his first win as Santa Rita’s head coach, which would be the program’s first victory since Sept. 16, 2016. Rather than jinx the Eagles, however, we’ll pick San Manuel. Call it 28-0.

Prediction: Douglas (4-0) at SILVER CITY (N.M.) (3-1)

Where: 3200 N. Silver Street, Silver City, New Mexico

Matchup: Douglas is one of the feel-good stories so far this season. The Bulldogs are 4-0, the best start for the program in seven years, after going winless in 2017.  Douglas will go toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in New Mexico. Expect Douglas to keep it close but lose, 37-24.

Prediction: Sunnyside (3-1) at SAHUARO (4-1)

Where: 545 N. Camino Seco

Matchup: Sunnyside’s Roy Lopez is two wins away from reaching 100 career wins as a high school coach. Reaching the milestone won’t be easy: the Blue Devils have back-to-back road games against Sahuaro coming up on their schedule. Sunnyside has improved since last season, but Sahuaro’s offense — with Cameron Williams and Izaiah Grigsby as the leaders — should be enough for a win. Expect the Cougars to take care of business at home, 30-7.

Prediction: COOLIDGE (4-1) at Catalina (1-3)

Where: 3645 E. Pima Street

Matchup: Catalina is off to a rocky start, but played three away games. Now the Trojans will play back-to-back games at home, but Coolidge is no slouch. The Bears escape Tucson with a 28-10 victory.