High School football: Mountain View, Salpointe solidify playoff positioning

The high school football regular season has wrapped up 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, as the playoffs start for Classes 4A, 5A and 6A.

Teams of the week

Mountain View and Salpointe Catholic each ended the regular season with emphatic wins to solidify their playoff positioning.

Mountain View topped then-No. 6 Ironwood Ridge 34-27 to not only win a share of the 5A Sonoran title but also to secure a postseason spot. Mountain View was ranked No. 17 last week.

At Salpointe, the Lancers upset then-No. 4 Phoenix Brophy Prep to not only win the 6A Central championship but also earn the right to host a playoff game for the ninth year in a row.

Mountain View senior running back Nicholas Horrocks had 153 yards on 26 carries.

Salpointe senior running back Richard Rivera rushed for 133 yards on 20 attempts.

Play of the week

Desert View junior tight end Isaac Zazueta caught the 2-point conversion pass as the Jaguars beat district rival Sunnyside 29-28 in overtime, according to All Sports Tucson. DV improved their all-time record to 6-16 against the Blue Devils.

Stat book

Sierra Vista Buena senior running back Andres Bonilla ran for 225 yards on 18 carries in the Colts’ 32-15 win over Cienega on Friday. Bobcat junior receiver Jaden Rodgers had four catches for 111 yards.

Sahuaro senior running back Jermarell Webb rushed for 146 yards on 11 attempts in the Cougars’ 48-17 win over Pueblo last week. SHS junior running back Isaac Lugo ran it 14 times for 135 yards.

Back to homepage

Subscriber Login

Keep reading with a digital access subscription.

Subscribe now

Flowing Wells junior running back Jayden Simmons had 100 yards on eight rushes in the Caballeros’ 44-20 win over Maricopa on Friday.

Recruiting trail

Marana senior receiver/cornerback Dermain Linen Jr. committed to Jamestown University on Monday. The Jimmies play Division II football in Jamestown, North Dakota.

Quotable

"So disappointed in our current 4A playoff system. To win seven games and be 10 spots out of the playoffs seems not only illogical but immoral. I keep hearing about strength of schedule related to a schedule that is handed to schools with little to no say in it. Sixtheen spots for 52 teams." — Sahuarita head coach Jake Allen posted on X (Twitter). Although the Mustangs (7-3, 6-0 Gila) beat Douglas 44-21 on Friday to win the region, on Saturday they finished No. 25. It’s the fourth year in a row a Southern Arizona team won a 4A region but missed out on the postseason. Amphitheater in 2023, Mica Mountain in 2022 and Catalina Foothills in 2021 also missed out. In 4A, there were 53 eligible teams and 16 playoff spots. Meanwhile, in 6A, 20 teams out of 31 in the conference made the postseason, including seven with a .500-or-worse record. Peoria Centennial (3-7) made the playoffs.

Games of the week

5A STATE FIRST ROUND

No. 15 Cienega (5-5) at No. 2 Tucson High (8-2)

Location: 400 N. Second Ave. (7 p.m.)

Notable: Tucson High hosts a home playoff game for the first time since 1971, which is also the last time it won a state championship. Cienega head coach Justin Argraves returns to Tucson High, where he went 53-43 over 10 years. During the regular season, the Badgers beat the Bobcats 17-13 at home. That loss was Cienega’s first ever to Tucson High, snapping its 5-0 streak against the Badgers. 

3A STATE QUARTERFINALS

No. 12 Surprise Paradise Honors (7-4) at No. 4 Pusch Ridge Christian (10-1)

Location: 9500 N. Oracle Road (7 p.m.)

Notable: Paradise Honors comes to Tucson after it upset No. 5 Bullhead City Mohave 34-24 on the road. PH also beat Mohave 34-27 during the regular season. Meanwhile, Pusch Ridge beat Lakeside Blue Ridge 43-0. The Lions are seeking to become the third Tucson area team to reach the 3A semifinals in the last three years. In 2022, Pusch Ridge reached the final four as a three seed.