Matchup of undefeated teams tonight: Tucson High vs. Salpointe

What started as a light sprinkle quickly became a steady rain. But even that couldn’t stop Tucson’s practice Wednesday.

The team’s midweek practice is the big focus day, coach Justin Argraves said. Everything is fast-paced — regardless of the weather report.

“Rain is rain. It is what it is,” Argraves said. “After last year, we’re used to dealing with some adversity. It’s not a big deal.”

Considering the Badgers (5-0) are playing Salpointe Catholic on Friday night in a matchup of undefeated teams, they can’t let up.

Salpointe is off to a 4-0 start, and shut out Tucson last year 27-0. Argraves knows the Lancers have a strong program; he calls longtime coach Dennis Bene “one of the best around.” Stars Bijan Robinson and Lathan Ransom are earning offers from the nation’s top football programs.

To stop Salpointe, the Badgers will have to cut off the Lancers’ running game.

“Obviously, they’ve got Bijan, who we’ve got to stop, who’s just a tremendous athlete,” Argraves said. “We’ve just got to come out, got to compete, play our kind of game and see what happens.”

Last year, the Badgers had to travel on a daily basis for practices and games while their home field was repaired from flood damage. The added stress, the team believes, hindered their performance, resulting in a 4-6 season.

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But now, with a new field, the team seems to have new life.

“In the offseason, the kids had a pretty good determination of what changes they wanted to get down and, obviously, they’ve shown these last five weeks,” Argraves said. “Our goal was to be 5-0 going into Week 6. Last week wasn’t the prettiest of games, but we found a way to get it done. The kids are just doing a tremendous job right now.”

The Badgers have met their goal, and are off to their best start in more than 15 years.

“It’s like our team actually wants to work this time,” junior running back Gary Love said. “Last year, I felt like we were lazy and selfish. This year, we fight for each other.”

While Tucson has been successful so far this season, only one team Friday will extend their undefeated season. And although the Badgers are dealing with a few nicks and bruises, the team prepared as well as it could for Salpointe.

Even if that meant braving the rain during practice. And Tucson can recover with a bye next week, if needed.

“I’m just really proud,” senior Marcus Latimer said. “Everyone on the team has really dived into what we’re doing here, and we all want to have a successful season, so everyone just practices hard every day.”