One week into the 2020 high school football season, and the COVID-19 pandemic is already affecting one Southern Arizona team.
Salpointe Catholic, fresh off its 29-21 win over Casa Grande, has entered a two-week quarantine after one of its players tested positive for the coronavirus.
As a result, the Lancers moved Friday's scheduled game against Sierra Vista Buena to Oct. 23; next week's game at Phoenix Pinnacle is likely to be canceled.
Buena, meanwhile, has found a new opponent — Paradise Valley — for Friday night.
This week's slate of games includes just two Southern Arizona teams. But there's good news coming; Tucson should have a full slate of games in three weeks, virus permitting.
The Star’s Justin Spears breaks down and predicts how the two Southern Arizona teams will fare in their away games on Friday. Kickoff times are slotted for 7 p.m. and predicted winners are in ALL CAPS.
SIERRA VISTA BUENA (1-0) at Paradise Valley (0-1)
Where: 3950 E. Bell Road, Phoenix
What to expect: For the second week in a row, the Colts are playing an opponent that wasn’t previously on their schedule. Last week, Buena played — and beat — San Tan Valley Combs on two days' notice after Combs’ previous opponent, Queen Creek Cactus Shadows, had a COVID-19 team outbreak. Salpointe Catholic's cancellation this week forced the Colts to adjust; they'll travel to Phoenix to take on the Paradise Valley Trojans, who lost to Glendale Ironwood 42-10 last week. Buena played sharp in its first game without all-time passing leader Jovoni Borbon in Week 1, and should get it done again on Friday. It won't be easy, though. Call it 34-21.
PUSCH RIDGE CHRISTIAN (1-0) at Yuma Catholic (1-0)
Where: 2100 W. 28th St., Yuma
What to expect: In typical Pusch Ridge Christian fashion, the Lions dominated last week by running the football. Evan Lovett rushed for a 60-yard touchdown on his first play, and the Lions cruised to a 41-6 win over Mesa Eastmark, a team playing its first-ever varsity game.
The Lions will have their work cut out on Friday, when they face a Yuma Catholic squad that held off a tough Phoenix Christian team 28-20 last week. The Shamrocks are led by sophomore quarterback Richard Stallworth, who completed 15 of 22 passes for 244 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in the season opener. If the Lions can pressure the underclassman quarterback, they should secure a win. Pusch Ridge Christian should sneak away with a 21-20 win in Yuma.
High school football is back, and here's a look at every Tucson team's 2020 schedule
Shortened season to begin Oct. 30 in Tucson area
UpdatedHigh school football is coming back throughout Southern Arizona, and it all starts the night before Halloween.
The revised Arizona Interscholastic Association schedule has teams in Tucson and surrounding areas playing between five and seven regular-season games starting Oct. 30 or Nov. 6 and ending Dec. 11. Postseason formats are still to be determined.
The schedules for Southern Arizona's public schools were announced this week. The city's two private, football-playing schools, Salpointe Catholic and Pusch Ridge Chrsitian, began their seasons last week; so did Sierra Vista Buena.
Here's a team-by-team look at the 2020 high school football season.
All kickoff times are slotted for 7 p.m.; home games are in ALL CAPS:
Tucson High Badgers
Updated
Tucson Badgers Gary Love (10) moves the ball across field in a game against the Pueblo Warriors at Pueblo High School Friday, Aug. 30, 2019.
Oct. 30 — BYE
Nov. 6 — CHOLLA
Nov. 13 — NOGALES
Nov. 20 — SUNNYSIDE
Nov. 27 — @ Sahuaro
Dec. 4 — @ Rincon/University
Dec. 11 — @ Mountain View
Sierra Vista Buena Colts
Updated
Buena quarterback Jovoni Borbon, right, has helped guide the Colts offense to 29.7 points per game this year, while also intercepting six passes on defense as a safety.
Oct. 9 — @ Paradise Valley
Oct. 16 — @ Salpointe Catholic
Oct. 30 — @ Casa Grande
Nov. 13 — CIENEGA
Cholla Chargers
Updated
The Cholla “C” in the entry plaza at Cholla High School in Tucson, AZ. Photo taken Wednesday, July 22, 2015.
Oct. 30 — BYE
Nov. 6 — @ Tucson
Nov. 13 — PUEBLO
Nov. 20 — @ Santa Rita
Nov. 27 — @ Catalina Foothills
Dec. 4 — DESERT VIEW
Dec. 11 — BYE
Desert View Jaguars
Updated
Desert View’s Carlos Alvarez attempts to split two Mountain View defenders during a game last year. Alvarez is again expected to be one of the Jaguars’ top offensive players this fall.
Oct. 30 — @ Nogales
Nov. 6 — CANYON DEL ORO
Nov. 13 — @ Sunnyside
Nov. 20 — IRONWOOD RIDGE
Nov. 27 — MOUNTAIN VIEW
Dec. 4 — @ Cholla
Dec. 11 — MARANA
Flowing Wells Caballeros
Updated
Mountain View’s Shaun Buttigieg (28), top and Teddy Walton (51) strip Flowing Wells’ Austin Spivey (3) of the ball in the first quarter during their sack of their football game at Flowing Wells High School, Friday, October 26, 2018, Tucson, Ariz. Spivey managed to corral the loose ball.
Oct. 30 — MOUNTAIN VIEW
Nov. 6 — @ Sunnyside
Nov. 13 — @ Amphi
Nov. 20 — PALO VERDE
Nov. 27 — RIO RICO
Dec. 4 — @ Ironwood Ridge
Dec. 11 — RINCON/UNIVERSITY
Mountain View Mountain Lions
Updated
Mountain View Mountain Lions Varney Larson (10) breaks through the Ironwood Ridge Nighthawks defensive line at Ironwood Ridge High School Friday evening, Aug. 23, 2019.The Nighthawks flew away with the win against the Mountain Lions 21-7.
Oct. 30 — @ Flowing Wells
Nov. 6 — MARANA
Nov. 13 — SALPOINTE
Nov. 20 — SAHUARO
Nov. 27 — @ Desert View
Dec. 4 — @ Cienega
Dec. 11 — TUCSON
Salpointe Catholic Lancers
Updated
Salpointe's Treyson Bourguet (3) has time to deliver from the pocket in the first quarter against Casa Grande at Salpointe, the opening night of high school football, Tucson, Ariz., October 2, 2020.
Note: Salpointe Catholic suspended all football activities for 14 days on Oct. 5 due to a positive COVID-19 test within the program. Previously scheduled game against Pinnacle on Oct. 16 will either be rescheduled or canceled.
Oct. 23 — BUENA
Oct. 30 — @ Marana
Nov. 6 — MOUNTAIN RIDGE
Nov. 13 — @ Mountain View
Nov. 20 — @ Desert Mountain
Cienega Bobcats
Updated
Cienega junior Christian Dicochea, 15, catches the football during the Ironwood Ridge Nighthawks 10-0 loss to the Cienega Bobcats at Ironwood High School on November 1st, 2019.
Oct. 30 — @ Canyon Del Oro
Nov. 6 — NOGALES
Nov. 13 — @ Buena
Nov. 20 — MARANA
Nov. 27 — @ Sunnyside
Dec. 4 — MOUNTAIN VIEW
Dec. 11 — IRONWOOD RIDGE
Ironwood Ridge Nighthawks
Updated
Ironwood Ridge senior Fabian Figueroa, 2, throws the ball during the Ironwood Ridge Nighthawks 10-0 loss to the Cienega Bobcats at Ironwood Ridge High School on November 1st, 2019.
Oct. 30 — SUNNYSIDE
Nov. 6 — CATALINA FOOTHILLS
Nov. 13 — @ Canyon Del Oro
Nov. 20 — DESERT VIEW
Nov. 27 — @ Rincon/University
Dec. 4 — FLOWING WELLS
Dec. 11 — @ Cienega
Marana Tigers
Updated
Marana High School football coach Louie Ramirez is hoping the Tigers’ season opener won’t be until Oct. 23.
Oct. 30 — SALPOINTE
Nov. 6 — @ Mountain View
Nov. 13 — @ Walden Grove
Nov. 20 — @ Cienega
Nov. 27 — CANYON DEL ORO
Dec. 4 — SUNNYSIDE
Dec. 11 — @ Desert View
Nogales Apaches
Updated
The Apache bench, including Nogales' head coach Kevin Kuhm, left, tries to get their offensive unit to call a play late in the third quarter of their game at Sunnyside, Thursday, August 17, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
Oct. 30 — DESERT VIEW
Nov. 6 — @ Cienega
Nov. 13 —@ Tucson
Nov. 20 — RIO RICO
Nov. 27 — DOUGLAS
Dec. 4 — @ Walden Grove
Dec. 11 — BYE
Rincon/University Rangers
Updated
While taking a water break, Rincon/University football players raise a helmet in the air during Rincon/University High School Rangers Football practice at Rincon High School, 421 N. Arcadia Ave, Tucson, Ariz., on October 23rd, 2019.
Oct. 30 — BYE
Nov. 6 — @ Tanque Verde
Nov. 13 — CATALINA
Nov. 20 — @ Amphi
Nov. 27 — IRONWOOD RIDGE
Dec. 4 — TUCSON
Dec. 11 — @ Flowing Wells
Sunnyside Blue Devils
Updated
As a freshman in 2019, Sunnyside’s Conde (8) completed 52% of his passes for 1,604 yards and 13 touchdowns. Posey said he didn’t want to mess with Conde’s throwing motion.
Oct. 30 — @ Ironwood Ridge
Nov. 6 — FLOWING WELLS
Nov. 13 — DESERT VIEW
Nov. 20 — @ Tucson
Nov. 27 — CIENEGA
Dec. 4 — @ Marana
Dec. 11 — SAHUARO
Canyon Del Oro Dorados
Updated
Canyon del Oro High School coach Dustin Peace thinks high school football now has a chance this fall after a recent AIA virus benchmark was raised to 75 cases per 100,000 people.
Oct. 30 — CIENEGA
Nov. 6 — @ Desert View
Nov. 13 — IRONWOOD RIDGE
Nov. 20 — @ Catalina Foothills
Nov. 27 — @ Marana
Dec. 4 — @ Sahuaro
Dec. 11 — WALDEN GROVE
Sahuaro Cougars
Updated
Sahuaro Devyn Roberts, 14, watches the defensive line prior to a snap during No.1 Sahuaro Cougars's 28-21 loss to No. 9 Gila Ridge Hawks at Sahuaro High School, 545 N. Camino Seco in Tucson, Ariz., on November 15th, 2019.
Oct. 30 — BYE
Nov. 6 — WALDEN GROVE
Nov. 13 — @ Sabino
Nov. 20 — @ Mountain View
Nov. 27 — TUCSON
Dec. 4 — CANYON DEL ORO
Dec. 11 — @ Sunnyside
Walden Grove Red Wolves
Updated
Oct. 30 — DOUGLAS
Nov. 6 — @Sahuaro
Nov. 13 — MARANA
Nov. 20 — @ Pueblo
Nov. 27 — @ Sabino
Dec. 4 — NOGALES
Dec. 11 — @ Canyon Del Oro
Amphi Panthers
Updated
Amphitheater High School’s Friedli Field football stadium has been updated with a new snack bar, locker rooms and weight room. Coach Jorge Mendivil is trying to reinvigorate the problem and again fill the stadium on Friday nights. The big green A lights up.
Oct. 30 — SAHUARITA
Nov. 6 — @ Douglas
Nov. 13 — FLOWING WELLS
Nov. 20 — RINCON/UNIVERSITY
Nov. 27 — EMPIRE
Dec. 4 — @ Catalina
Dec. 11 — @ Rio Rico
Catalina Foothills Falcons
Updated
Former Arizona Wildcat offensive line Gerhard De beer talks with players during the Catalina Foothills Falcons 19-0 win over the Pueblo Warriors high school football game at Pueblo High School 3500 S. 12th Ave., Tucson, Ariz. on September 27th, 2019. The Falcons ended the Warriors undefeated the record.
Oct. 30 — BYE
Nov. 6 — @ Ironwood Ridge
Nov. 13 — SAHUARITA
Nov. 20 —CANYON DEL ORO
Nov. 27 — CHOLLA
Dec. 4 — SABINO
Dec. 11 — @ Palo Verde
Douglas Bulldogs
Updated
Douglas’ Christian Estrella will be counted on to carry a young Bulldogs team in 2019.
Oct. 30 — @ Walden Grove
Nov. 6 — AMPHI
Nov. 13 — @ Rio Rico
Nov. 20 — SAHUARITA
Nov. 27 — NOGALES
Dec. 4 — EMPIRE
Dec. 11 — BYE
Empire Ravens
Updated
The students start to filter in to fill the Raven's Roost, the student section at Empire High School, before their team kicks off against Catalina Foothills, Friday, September 15, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
Oct. 30 — @ Rio Rico
Nov. 6 — @ Pueblo
Nov. 13 — TANQUE VERDE
Nov. 20 — SABINO
Nov. 27 — @ Amphi
Dec. 4 — @ Douglas
Dec. 11 — SAHUARITA
Palo Verde Titans
Updated
Flowing Wells fans cheer during the first half of the Flowing Wells vs. Palo Verde high school football game at Flowing Wells High School in Tucson, Ariz., Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Oct. 30 — BYE
Nov. 6 — @ Catalina
Nov. 13 — SANTA RITA
Nov. 20 — @ Flowing Wells
Nov. 27 —@ Tanque Verde
Dec. 4 — PUEBLO
Dec. 11 — CATALINA FOOTHILLS
Rio Rico Hawks
Updated
Running back Ricky Perez, left, is back to being the spark Rio Rico needs. During his time undergoing chemotherapy, he continued to practice with the team, at least during noncontact days. He rarely missed a workout.
Oct. 30 — EMPIRE
Nov. 6 — @ Santa Rita
Nov. 13 — DOUGLAS
Nov. 20 — @ Nogales
Nov. 27 — @ Flowing Wells
Dec. 4 — @ Sahuarita
Dec. 11 — AMPHI
Pusch Ridge Christian Lions
Updated
Ryan Fontaine and EJ McKenna warm up with their coach before their game. Pusch Ridge Christian Academy opens its 2020 season on Oct. 2, 2020, against Eastmark High School.
Oct. 9 — @ Yuma Catholic
Oct. 16 — THATCHER
Oct. 23 — @ Safford
Oct. 30 — @ San Tan Foothills
Nov. 6 — ALA IRONWOOD
Nov. 13 — FLORENCE
Sabino Sabercats
Updated
Sabino's quarterback AJ Skaggs (4) brings down a high snap just in time to get the handoff to Andrew Owen (21) against in the second quarter at Sahuaro High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 6, 2019.
Oct. 30 — BYE
Nov. 6 — @ Sahuarita
Nov. 13 — SAHUARO
Nov. 20 — @ Empire
Nov. 27 — WALDEN GROVE
Dec. 4 — @ Catalina Foothills
Dec. 11 — PUEBLO
Sahuarita Mustangs
Updated
Sahuarita's student section rubs it in as the Mustangs begin to pour it on in the third quarter against Walden Grove.
Oct. 30 — @ Amphi
Nov. 6 — SABINO
Nov. 13 — @ Catalina Foothills
Nov. 20 — @ Douglas
Nov. 27 — SANTA RITA
Dec. 4 — RIO RICO
Dec. 11 — @ Empire
Catalina Trojans
Updated
Defensive end Jose Lugo, lifting, draws some attention from defensive end Robert Wooten as they work out in the weight room at Catalina High School in Tucson, AZ. on July 16, 2018.
Oct. 30 — BYE
Nov. 6 — PALO VERDE
Nov. 13 — @ Rincon/University
Nov. 20 — TANQUE VERDE
Nov. 27 — @ Pueblo
Dec. 4 — AMPHI
Dec. 11 — SANTA RITA
Santa Rita Eagles
Updated
Tanque Verde football players at practice in 2018. Former Tanque Verde coach Richard Sanchez is now at Tucson High Magnet.
Oct. 30 — BYE
Nov. 6 — RIO RICO
Nov. 13 — @ Palo Verde
Nov. 20 — CHOLLA
Nov. 27 — @ Sahaurita
Dec. 4 — TANQUE VERDE
Dec. 11 — @ Catalina
Tanque Verde Hawks
Updated
Yard lines are drawn on the football stadium at Tanque Verde High School. Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Oct. 30 — BYE
Nov. 6 — RINCON/UNIVERSITY
Nov. 13 — @ Empire
Nov. 20 — @ Catalina
Nov. 27 — PALO VERDE
Dec. 4 —@ Santa Rita
Dec. 11 — BYE
Pueblo Warriors
Updated
Pueblo head coach Brandon Sanders yells at the Pueblo defensive line during the Catalina Foothills Falcons 19-0 win over the Pueblo Warriors high school football game at Pueblo High School 3500 S. 12th Ave., Tucson, Ariz. on September 27th, 2019. The Falcons ended the Warriors undefeated the record.
Oct. 30 — BYE
Nov. 6 — EMPIRE
Nov. 13 — @ Cholla
Nov. 20 — WALDEN GROVE
Nov. 27 — CATALINA
Dec. 4 — @ Palo Verde
Dec. 11 — @ Sabino
