Super 7: Cienega, Catalina Foothills top HS football power poll; Mountain View climbs
- Updated
The Star's picks for the top seven high school football teams in Southern Arizona.
- Arizona Daily Star
The Star ranks the top seven football teams in Southern Arizona each week. Here is this week's power poll, with last week's rankings in parentheses:Β
- Arizona Daily Star
At this point it's becoming rather difficult to find the words to describe just how dominant Cienega has been this season, so we'll let the numbers do the talking. The Bobcats (7-0) are theΒ onlyΒ undefeated team left in Southern Arizona. They've outscored opponents by 221 points (313-92) so far this season and are averaging 44.7 points per game. And they only give up 13.1 points per game.Β
Before last week, the fewest number of points Cienega put up in a game was 40. Last week the Bobcats only notched 20 points, but then again only gave up a field goal. They've also scored more than 40 points in five of their seven contests this year.Β
Cienega will almost certainly continue rolling along this week, as it hosts an 0-7 Sierra Vista Buena team that hasn't won a game since 2014. The final two weeks of the season will present the Bobcats with their toughest tests of the year, as they play games at Ironwood Ridge and at Mountain View, which are two teams that have consistently been featured in our rankings this season. We predict, however, that the Bobcats will pass both of those tests with flying colors and head into the postseason 10-0.Β
- Arizona Daily Star
Since losing its second (and only) game of the season, Catalina Foothills has looked like a true powerhouse, outscoring opponents by 201 points in that stretch. The Falcons seemingly get better every week β they shut out Nogales 63-0 last week on the road. Senior quarterback Rhett Rodriguez is a touchdown-producing machine, already passing for 18 touchdowns in seven games so far this season. He's also added another four scores with his legs.Β
Foothills hosts a 1-6 Cholla team this week and should have no problem improving to 7-1. The Falcons really only have one tough test left this year β a showdown at rival Salpointe Catholic next Friday. If they can stay hot and win that tilt, they'll likely finish the regular season 9-1.Β
- Arizona Daily Star
No. 3 Ironwood Ridge rolled past winless Sierra Vista Buena 49-7 last Friday to improve to 6-1 on the season. The Nighthawks' prolific offense always seems to find a way to put up big numbers, as they're averaging 40.4 points per game this season. Their defense also contributes on a weekly basis, as all of I-Ridge's wins have come by at least 20 points. The Nighthawks also have Soma Ikaika Helu, who's arguably the best running back in all of Southern Arizona. He's rushed for 849 yards and 12 touchdowns this year.Β
The next two weeks are when the Nighthawks will really have to step up and prove their worth. They travel to take on Tucson High this week and then host No. 1 Cienega the following week before a season finale against Sahuaro. Expect I-Ridge to win two of its last three regular-season games.Β
- Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Mountain View could be the most unpredictable team in Tucson. While we anticipated the Mountain Lions would get back on track last week with a win over then-undefeated Desert View, we didn't expect the game to be as lopsided as it was β Mountain View won 60-37, handing the Jaguars their first loss of the 2016 campaign. Β
The telling statistic of that game: Before last week, Desert View hadn't given up more than 20 points in any game this year. Then the Mountain Lions came along and exploded for 60 points behind senior quarterback Caleb Ryden, who absolutely went off on the Jaguars. He threw for 285 yards and four touchdowns and also rushed for 182 yards and two more scores. Β
Expect Mountain View to win its next two tilts, which are at Sahuaro (2-5) and against Sierra Vista Buena (0-7), respectively. The Mountain Lions then finish the regular season with a showdown against No. 1 Cienega.Β
- Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Sabino is hands-down the best Class 3A team in Southern Arizona. The Sabercats (6-1) took down defending state champion Pusch Ridge Christian 34-20 last week. The only reason Sabino dropped a spot in our power poll this week is because of Mountain View's big win over then-undefeated Desert View.Β
Behind Arizona Wildcats football commit Drew Dixon, Sabino's offense just keeps rolling. Just how good is Dixon? Last week he hauled in six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown; he rushed for 41 yards and three touchdowns; and he passed for 35 yards while playing quarterback, running back and receiver for the Sabercats all in one game. So, yes, he'sΒ thatΒ good.Β
Sabino travels to Sahuarita on Friday to take on the 2-5 Mustangs. Realistically, Sabino will likely win out and head into the playoffs with a 9-1 record. Look out, 3A. The Sabercats are coming. Β
- Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Two weeks ago, Salpointe Catholic got absolutely rolled over by Cienega 51-14. But the Lancers bounced back last week and showed us why they still deserve to be in our rankings. They shut out Walden Grove 56-0 on the road and rose a spot in our rankings this week as a result of their big win.Β
It's also worth noting that Salpointe hasn't lost on the road so far this season. The Lancers' only two losses have come at home, to Tucson High and Cienega.Β
Salpointe travels to Nogales this week to take on the Apaches (3-4) and should come home with the W to stay unbeaten on the road. The Lancers' last two games of the regular season are total toss-ups: They host Catalina Foothills and Canyon del Oro. Still, they should be able to win two of their remaining three regular-season games. Β
- Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Well, it had to happen sometime.
Someone was eventually going to knock off the Jaguars, who stayed undefeated until last week. We actually predicted Mountain View would hand Desert View its first loss of the season, we just didn't expect the Mountain Lions to pounce all over the Jaguars like they did. Mountain View won the contest 60-37.Β
The Jaguars should be able to get back on track with a win this week and stay in our rankings, as they host a 4-3 Flowing Wells team. They close out the regular season with games against Marana and at San Tan Valley Poston Butte. Expect Desert View to finish 8-2.Β
- Arizona Daily Star
Click the photo below to check out this week's high school football matchups.Β
- Arizona Daily Star
At this point it's becoming rather difficult to find the words to describe just how dominant Cienega has been this season, so we'll let the numbers do the talking. The Bobcats (7-0) are theΒ onlyΒ undefeated team left in Southern Arizona. They've outscored opponents by 221 points (313-92) so far this season and are averaging 44.7 points per game. And they only give up 13.1 points per game.Β
Before last week, the fewest number of points Cienega put up in a game was 40. Last week the Bobcats only notched 20 points, but then again only gave up a field goal. They've also scored more than 40 points in five of their seven contests this year.Β
Cienega will almost certainly continue rolling along this week, as it hosts an 0-7 Sierra Vista Buena team that hasn't won a game since 2014. The final two weeks of the season will present the Bobcats with their toughest tests of the year, as they play games at Ironwood Ridge and at Mountain View, which are two teams that have consistently been featured in our rankings this season. We predict, however, that the Bobcats will pass both of those tests with flying colors and head into the postseason 10-0.Β
- Arizona Daily Star
Since losing its second (and only) game of the season, Catalina Foothills has looked like a true powerhouse, outscoring opponents by 201 points in that stretch. The Falcons seemingly get better every week β they shut out Nogales 63-0 last week on the road. Senior quarterback Rhett Rodriguez is a touchdown-producing machine, already passing for 18 touchdowns in seven games so far this season. He's also added another four scores with his legs.Β
Foothills hosts a 1-6 Cholla team this week and should have no problem improving to 7-1. The Falcons really only have one tough test left this year β a showdown at rival Salpointe Catholic next Friday. If they can stay hot and win that tilt, they'll likely finish the regular season 9-1.Β
- Arizona Daily Star
No. 3 Ironwood Ridge rolled past winless Sierra Vista Buena 49-7 last Friday to improve to 6-1 on the season. The Nighthawks' prolific offense always seems to find a way to put up big numbers, as they're averaging 40.4 points per game this season. Their defense also contributes on a weekly basis, as all of I-Ridge's wins have come by at least 20 points. The Nighthawks also have Soma Ikaika Helu, who's arguably the best running back in all of Southern Arizona. He's rushed for 849 yards and 12 touchdowns this year.Β
The next two weeks are when the Nighthawks will really have to step up and prove their worth. They travel to take on Tucson High this week and then host No. 1 Cienega the following week before a season finale against Sahuaro. Expect I-Ridge to win two of its last three regular-season games.Β
- Arizona Daily Star
Mountain View could be the most unpredictable team in Tucson. While we anticipated the Mountain Lions would get back on track last week with a win over then-undefeated Desert View, we didn't expect the game to be as lopsided as it was β Mountain View won 60-37, handing the Jaguars their first loss of the 2016 campaign. Β
The telling statistic of that game: Before last week, Desert View hadn't given up more than 20 points in any game this year. Then the Mountain Lions came along and exploded for 60 points behind senior quarterback Caleb Ryden, who absolutely went off on the Jaguars. He threw for 285 yards and four touchdowns and also rushed for 182 yards and two more scores. Β
Expect Mountain View to win its next two tilts, which are at Sahuaro (2-5) and against Sierra Vista Buena (0-7), respectively. The Mountain Lions then finish the regular season with a showdown against No. 1 Cienega.Β
- Arizona Daily Star
Sabino is hands-down the best Class 3A team in Southern Arizona. The Sabercats (6-1) took down defending state champion Pusch Ridge Christian 34-20 last week. The only reason Sabino dropped a spot in our power poll this week is because of Mountain View's big win over then-undefeated Desert View.Β
Behind Arizona Wildcats football commit Drew Dixon, Sabino's offense just keeps rolling. Just how good is Dixon? Last week he hauled in six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown; he rushed for 41 yards and three touchdowns; and he passed for 35 yards while playing quarterback, running back and receiver for the Sabercats all in one game. So, yes, he'sΒ thatΒ good.Β
Sabino travels to Sahuarita on Friday to take on the 2-5 Mustangs. Realistically, Sabino will likely win out and head into the playoffs with a 9-1 record. Look out, 3A. The Sabercats are coming. Β
- Arizona Daily Star
Two weeks ago, Salpointe Catholic got absolutely rolled over by Cienega 51-14. But the Lancers bounced back last week and showed us why they still deserve to be in our rankings. They shut out Walden Grove 56-0 on the road and rose a spot in our rankings this week as a result of their big win.Β
It's also worth noting that Salpointe hasn't lost on the road so far this season. The Lancers' only two losses have come at home, to Tucson High and Cienega.Β
Salpointe travels to Nogales this week to take on the Apaches (3-4) and should come home with the W to stay unbeaten on the road. The Lancers' last two games of the regular season are total toss-ups: They host Catalina Foothills and Canyon del Oro. Still, they should be able to win two of their remaining three regular-season games. Β
- Arizona Daily Star
Well, it had to happen sometime.
Someone was eventually going to knock off the Jaguars, who stayed undefeated until last week. We actually predicted Mountain View would hand Desert View its first loss of the season, we just didn't expect the Mountain Lions to pounce all over the Jaguars like they did. Mountain View won the contest 60-37.Β
The Jaguars should be able to get back on track with a win this week and stay in our rankings, as they host a 4-3 Flowing Wells team. They close out the regular season with games against Marana and at San Tan Valley Poston Butte. Expect Desert View to finish 8-2.Β
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