Friday night's high school football matchups and game predictions

Southern Arizona high school football battles UA's Pac-12 opener

Tucson will be a football town on Friday with high school action as well as the Wildcats hosting Utah. 

Below is what you should know about Southern Arizona high school football games this week and what's in store for what's sure to be a jam-packed Friday night. 

All games kickoff at 7 p.m. unless noted. Team records are in parenthesis and the predicted winners of each game will be ALL CAPS.   

MARANA (2-2) at Canyon del Oro (3-1)

MARANA (2-2) at Canyon del Oro (3-1)

Where: 25 W. Calle Concordia, Oro Valley.

This is a tough game to call. In one corner, you have Marana’s passing game behind quarterback Trenton Bourget, who’s Southern Arizona’s second-leading passer with 1,335 yards. And in the other corner, you have CDO’s rushing attack in Elijah Carey who’s rushed over 100 yards in every game this season. The Tigers are coming off a bye week so they’ll be prepared, which is why they get the win. This is the type of game that will go down to the wire and Bourget will lead Marana on the final drive and score the game-winning touchdown, 49-45.

QUEEN CREEK (5-0) at Ironwood Ridge (4-0)

Where: 2475 W. Naranja Drive

Ironwood Ridge is lucky it had a bye week last week, because Queen Creek is no joke. Queen Creek’s offense is led by junior running back Dylan Borja, who’s rushed for 436 yards and six touchdowns this season, and junior quarterback Devin Larsen, who’s averaged 173.8 yards per game and no interceptions. The Nighthawks have squeaked by in a couple of close games this season and this will be the game where their late-game luck runs out. Queen Creek wins on the road 34-20.

CATALINA (4-1) at Tanque Verde (0-5)

Where: 4201 N. Melpomene Way

It’s been nearly an entire year since Tanque Verde last won a football game and Catalina is off to its best start since 2004. Catalina’s junior quarterback Malik Martin is averaging 190 yards per game and is coming off a four-touchdown performance last week against Santa Rita. The Trojans should take care of business on the road and win 42-13.

CIENEGA (4-0) at Tucson High (2-3)

Where: Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2500 E. Ajo Way.

The Badgers might be the best team with a sub-.500 record in Southern Arizona, just because of their difficult schedule. In a month, the Badgers have played a pair of Phoenix schools, Salpointe Catholic and Mountain View. It doesn’t get easier with Cienega and UA commit Jamarye Joiner coming in. Joiner is averaging 178 yards and nearly five touchdowns per game. He needs one more touchdown to have 20 on the season and with the brutal month Tucson High is trying to get through, Joiner should have his way Friday. Let’s call it 49-7.

Catalina Foothills (4-1) at PUSCH RIDGE CHRISTIAN (4-0)

Where: 9500 N. Oracle Road

The Falcons are riding high for handing head coach Jeff Scurran’s 300th career win after an overtime thriller against Empire, but the Falcons face their biggest test since Week 1 against Scottsdale Saguaro. While Pusch Ridge’s only marquee win was against the defending 3A state champions in American Leadership Academy, the Lions have routed every team that has faced them. It’s a good thing Scurran got his 300th win last week, because it wouldn’t have happened this week. Pusch Ridge wins this one 31-21.

Deming (N.M.) (2-2) at FLOWING WELLS (1-3)

Where: 3725 N. Flowing Wells Road

Both teams have lost two consecutive games and Deming has to travel just over three hours to Tucson. Last season, the Caballeros went to Deming and won 35-0. Except this time, Flowing Wells doesn’t have running back Jose Suarez III who had 127 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns. The Cabs are in dire need of a win and senior quarterback Dylan Allison must have a season-defining game to get his team back on track. With that, Allison shines and Flowing Wells wins 30-14.

Desert View (2-2) at SUNNYSIDE (1-4)

Where: 1725 E. Bilby Road

Sunnyside coach Roy Lopez was hoping to reach his 100th career win as an Arizona high school football coach, but that probably won’t happen until next season unless the Blue Devils win out and get through the first round of playoffs. Desert View was shut out by Sahuaro last week so it’s looking like a step-back season for the Jaguars. The Blue Devils haven’t won since Week 1 against Nogales, but that should change this week especially in front of a home crowd. Sunnyside takes this one 17-7.

EMPIRE (2-2) at Sahuarita (1-4)

Where: 350 S. Sahuarita Road

Empire gave up a fourth-quarter lead and lost in overtime fashion last week to Catalina Foothills. Empire’s junior tailback Jalen Smith had 136 yards on 14 carries in that game while Sahuarita gave up 435 rushing yards last week to Pusch Ridge Christian. The Ravens should have no problem in this contest and should run a way 28-0.

MOUNTAIN VIEW (3-1) at San Tan Valley Poston Butte (3-1)

Where: 32375 N. Gantzel Road, San Tan Valley

Another tough game to call. Both teams haven’t lost since Week 1, but Mountain View gets the edge, because its defensive front is a force and Poston Butte relies on running the ball. Poston Butte quarterback Connor McDonald averages 78.3 passing yards per game and has four passing touchdowns so far this season, but he’s the Broncos’ leading rusher. Mountain View’s defense will corral McDonald and will force him to make quick decisions, which is a recipe for a win. Mountain View wins this one 35-10.

NOGALES (1-3) at Rio Rico (1-4)

Where: 590 North Camino Galindo, Rio Rico

The Apaches finally got their first win of the season last week against Douglas. Rio Rico is a run-first team. Nogales’ defense knows what to expect from Rio Rico and that’s why the Apaches win 27-3.

Pueblo (3-1) at SALPOINTE CATHOLIC (4-0)

Where: 1545 E. Copper St.

Pueblo lost its first game of the season against Walden Grove, 40-8, which was surprising, because the Warriors were predicted to win that game last week. Salpointe Catholic is led by sophomore running back Bijan Robinson, but senior quarterback Rodrigo Nieto threw for 167 yards and four touchdowns last week against Sunnyside. The Lancers are close to hitting fifth gear and this game should elevate them. Salpointe Catholic wins this one 42-6.

Rincon/University (1-4) at PALO VERDE (1-4)

Where: 1302 S. Avenida Vega

Although Palo Verde lost to Cholla 62-23, there was a silver lining with its offense. The Titans haven’t scored that many points since Week 1 against Tanque Verde. Rincon however won its first game last week when the Rangers were predicted to lose that game. This will be a close game, but Palo Verde at home has the edge, 17-7.

Sahuaro (1-3) at CHOLLA (3-2)

Where: 2001 W. Starr Pass Blvd.

Cholla is equivalent to a Big 12 team since it’s averaged 58.6 points per game and 34 touchdowns this season. The Chargers know how to put points on the board and while Sahuaro shut out Desert View last week, the Cougars will struggle to keep up with Cholla’s offense. Chargers win 56-14.

Santa Rita (0-3) at SABINO (3-1)

Where: 5000 N. Bowes Rd.

The Sabercats put their loss to American Leadership Academy behind them following up with a 49-0 win at Tanque Verde last week. Senior quarterback Alex Bell needs 156 yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark on the season. If he wants to reach that milestone, then he and wide receiver Luke Moran need to bring their A game. Against a struggling Santa Rita team, the Sabercats will win 56-0 and Bell will reach over 1,000 yards on the season.

SIERRA VISTA BUENA (3-1) at Douglas (0-4)

Where: 1500 15^th St., Douglas

Buena tight end Khalil Gardley has 207 yards on 10 catches in three games this season. He’s coming off his worst game of the season last week with only 18 yards on one reception. Douglas’ defense has allowed 28 points per game so Gardley as a deep threat should give the Colts an easy 30-0 win.

WALDEN GROVE (3-1) at Amphitheater (0-4)

Where: 125 W. Yavapai Road

Amphi has been outscored 206-8 this season and those eight points came last week in a 69-8 loss to Canyon del Oro. Walden Grove has been one of the surprising teams this season especially after beating Pueblo 40-8. Walden Grove continues to build on its winning season with a 49-0 win over the Panthers.