This week's high school football matchups, predictions and score updates
The Star’s Justin Spears breaks down and predicts how each matchup across Southern Arizona will play out. All games start at 7 p.m. Friday. Predicted winners are in ALL CAPS.
Check back Friday night for live score updates.
Salpointe Catholic 42, Catalina Foothills 14 — Final
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Salpointe's Mario Padilla (7) tries to shrug off Del Valle's Brandon Ocana (40) in the third quarter of their game at Salpionte High School, Friday September 7, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Prediction: Catalina Foothills (4-4) at SALPOINTE CATHOLIC (8-0)
Where: 1545 E. Copper Street
Matchup: Catalina Foothills’ Domonic Bynum rushed for 132 wins as the Falcons beat Casa Grande 14-7 last week. Can the Falcons hang with Salpointe Catholic’s offense? Most likely not. Call it 38-10. Lancers clinch the region title once again.
Ironwood Ridge 31, Sierra Vista Buena 20 — Final
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The Nighthawks storm onto the field before the Ironwood Ridge vs. Peoria Centennial high school football game.
Prediction: Sierra Vista Buena (5-3) at IRONWOOD RIDGE (4-4)
Where: 2475 W. Naranja Drive
Matchup: This might be the best ticket in town Friday night. On one side, Buena quarterback Jovoni Borbon is a gunslinger who completed 5 of 5 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown while rushing for a score in a 51-7 win over Nogales last week. On the other side, Ironwood Ridge boasts a dangerous rushing attack: Nathan Grijalva will likely pass the 1,000-yard mark for the season on Friday night. Tough call, but we like the Nighthawks at home, 27-24.
Canyon del Oro 54, Vista Grande 21 — Final
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Canyon del Oro's Stevie Rocker goes flying after being dragged down by Flowing Wells' s Brian Cruz-Estrella just short of the goal line in the first quarter of their game at Flowing Wells High School, Friday, August 17, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Prediction: CANYON DEL ORO (5-3) at Casa Grande Vista Grande (2-6)
Where: 1556 N. Arizola Road, Casa Grande
Matchup: No team wants to forget about last week more than Canyon del Oro, which lost 49-6 to Salpointe. The Dorados have dealt with injuries, none bigger than the one that affected star running back Stevie Rocker. Rocker is now back in the fold, meaning CDO should win. Call it 30-16.
Mountain View 38, Desert View 13 — Final
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Members of the Desert View football team run warmup drills before the start of their game against Marana at Desert View High School, 4101 E Valencia Rd, on September 7, 2018. Marana won 35-0.
Prediction: MOUNTAIN VIEW (3-5) at Desert View (3-5)
Where: 4101 E. Valencia Road
Matchup: Mountain View has won three straight games after a brutal first-half schedule. Now things get interesting: Mountain View can secure its spot in a winner-take-all game for the Class 5A Sonoran Region title with a win against Desert View. Expect that to happen, especially since the Mountain Lions have outscored their opponents 168-6 over the last three weeks. Call it 49-13.
Walden Grove 57, Amphitheater 6 — Final
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“They definitely work really, really well together,” Walden Grove coach Corey Noble says of Alex, left, and Jordan Lopez.
Prediction: WALDEN GROVE (6-2) at Amphitheater (3-5)
Where: 125 W. Yavapai Road
Matchup: Walden Grove has won three straight games behind the Lopez twins, Alex and Jordan. Alex threw for 255 yards and four touchdowns last week. With a win Friday, the Red Wolves will clinch the Class 4A Gila Region title, the first in school history. No pressure, right? It’ll be a fun bus ride back to Sahuarita after a 48-20 win.
Cienega 42, Nogales 12 — Final
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Cienega's Chris Burroughs (23) shows off the ball after coming up with a Marana fumble in the second quarter of their game at Cienega High School, Friday, April 12, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Prediction: CIENEGA (7-1) at Nogales (2-6)
Where: 1950 Apache Blvd., Nogales
Matchup: Cienega head coach Pat Nugent says he has a “complete team,” and it’s hard to argue with him. The Bobcats racked up 449 yards of total offense against Marana last week, and the defense forced five turnovers. Defensive back Chris Burroughs had three of them with two fumble recoveries and an interception. Two-way star Terrell Hayward had 265 all-purpose yards and also snagged an interception. The Bobcats are hitting fifth gear just in time for the playoffs. They should have no problem against a Nogales team that has lost five consecutive games. Bobcats roll, 42-7.
Pueblo 57, Rio Rico 0 — Final
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Warriors players get limbered up as the sun sets over the field at Pueblo High School on July 24, 2018.
Prediction: Rio Rico (1-7) at PUEBLO (3-5)
Where: 3500 S. 12th Ave.
Matchup: Pueblo probably won’t make playoffs this season, but the Warriors are in position to finish the year with a .500 record. Expect them to take their next step with a win over Rio Rico. Call it 49-0.
Pusch Ridge Christian 35, Safford 34 — Final
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Pusch Ridge's Dakota Haynes runs up the middle against Casteel's defense during the 3A state title game at Campo Verde High School, Nov. 25, 2017 in Gilbert Ariz. (Darryl Webb/Special for the Arizona Daily Star)
Prediction: Safford (5-3) at PUSCH RIDGE CHRISTIAN (4-4)
Where: 9500 N. Oracle Road
Matchup: Pusch Ridge is on the verge of missing the playoffs. These next two weeks are crucial for the Lions. Their push for the postseason will begin Friday with a 20-14 win over Safford.
Sahuaro 21, Casa Grande 14 — Final
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Brothers on the Sahuaro football team include l-r standing; Phillip 32 and Connor Burish (twins), Travis Armstrong, 73 (seated) and twin brother Trevor, 70, standing; Amir Hunter-Huggins, 25 and younger brother Amad Hunter-Huggins, 14, Cameron Williams 30, standing in back, and Christopher Williams, 50 (twins), right.
Prediction: SAHUARO (6-2) at Casa Grande (5-3)
Where: 2730 N. Trekell Road, Casa Grande
Matchup: Casa Grande has lost back-to-back games to Tucson teams, and that streak will reach three after Friday night. Sahuaro has won four of its last five games behind a stellar rushing attack. Cameron Williams rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries two weeks ago against CDO. Expect him to carry the load on the road. It’s close, but Sahuaro wins 23-17.
Sabino 28, Sahuarita 14 — Final
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Sabino's Claudio Oviedo (3) stretches for the ball as the Sabercats warm up just before sunset to Sahuaro at Sabino High School, Friday, August 31, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Prediction: Sahuarita (5-3) at SABINO (6-2)
Where: 5000 N. Bowes Road
Matchup: Sabino is too hot right now, which is bad news for a Sahuarita team that could end up on the outside of the playoff picture. The Sabercats win again at home, 23-14.
Bisbee 55, Santa Rita 20 — Final
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Santa Rita fans can enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the Santa Catalina and the Rincon Mountains.
Prediction: BISBEE (2-6) at Santa Rita (0-8)
Where: 3951 S. Pantano Road
Matchup: It’s looking like Santa Rita could go winless this season. Bisbee wins, 56-21.
Chandler 62, Tucson High 0 — Final
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Tucson High football roll around and even make "turf angels" on their new field, the first time they've been able to set foot on the surface after the old field was destroyed in a storm last year, Wednesday, August 22, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Prediction: Tucson High (5-3) at CHANDLER (7-1)
Where: 350 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler
Matchup: This week is a must-win game if the Badgers want a spot in the Class 6A playoff bracket. Unfortunately for the local team, that’s a tall order. Chandler is arguably the best top-to-bottom team in Arizona, boasting six players with Division I offers. Among them: BYU quarterback commit Jacob Conover, Texas tight end commit Brayden Liebrock and two-way Cal commit DeCarlos Brooks. Chandler’s defense is anchored by 6-foot-2-inch, 295-pound defensive tackle Matthew Pola-Mao, who is considering USC, Oregon and Arizona State. That’s too many horses for Tucson High to compete with. Chandler wins big, 63-6.
Flowing Wells 55, Cholla 27 — Final
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Flowing Wells players line up to await the outcome of the coin flip as the Caballeros face off against Canyon del Oro at Flowing Wells High School, Friday, August 17, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Prediction: FLOWING WELLS (7-1) at Cholla (0-8)
Where: 2001 W. Starr Pass Blvd.
Matchup:
Flowing Wells has arguably been the most improved squad in Southern Arizona this season. The Caballeros’ only loss of the season came to California’s Palm Desert in August. Since then, Flowing Wells has been rolling behind running back Rashaad Henderson. The senior has yet to rush for fewer than 100 yards in a game this season. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Henderson rushes for 200-plus yards against Cholla. Call it 52-8, Cabs.
Douglas 48, Palo Verde 3 — Final
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Douglas High's Christian Estrella (11) can't stiff arm his way out of the grasp of Pueblo High's Hassan Aden (29) at Pueblo High School, Friday September 28, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Prediction: DOUGLAS (6-2) at Palo Verde (2-6)
Where: 1302 S. Avenida Vega
Matchup: Douglas got its season back on track last week with a win over Amphitheater. Now, the Bulldogs will make another trip to Tucson looking for the same result. Christian Estrella is averaging 7.4 yards per carry this season, and we expect him to have at least 160 yards against a struggling Palo Verde defense. The Titans will compete, but Douglas walks away with a 28-16 win.
Marana 47, Sunnyside 17 — Final
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Marana's head coach Louie Ramirez huddles with his Tigers as they mount a comeback against Cienega in the fourth quarter of their game at Cienega High School, Friday, April 12, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Prediction: Sunnyside (4-4) at MARANA (5-3)
Where: 12000 W. Emigh Road, Marana
Matchup: Marana is out of the Class 5A Southern Region race, but is still competing for a playoff spot. Simply put, the Tigers don’t quit: They trailed 30-7 to Cienega last week before pulling to within a score. Marana quarterback Trenton Bourguet has 1,593 passing yards this season, while his younger brother, Treyson, has earned some snaps, too. Against Cienega, Treyson — a freshman — completed 7 of 10 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns, with one of them coming on a pass to Trenton. Sunnyside will have to gameplan for two quarterbacks, which is never easy. On senior night, Marana wins big. Call it 38-14.
Empire 69, Rincon/University 24 — Final
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Football practice for the Empire High School football team was held on Wednesday July 25, 2018 in Tucson, Ariz.
Prediction: EMPIRE (3-5) at Rincon/University (1-7)
Where: 10701 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way, Vail
Matchup: Empire's Wyatt Jeffries became the program’s all-time leading rusher last week. Jeffries, has rushed for 3,419 yards and 26 touchdowns in his high school career, and should add to that total Friday. Empire wins, 21-7.
Catalina 48, Tanque Verde 7 — Final
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Monsoon storm clouds over the Santa Catalinas and the freshmen practice at Salpointe High School Wednesday, July 29, 2015, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Prediction: Catalina (1-7) at TANQUE VERDE (2-6)
Where: 4201 N. Melpomene Way
Matchup: This will be one of the closer games around town Friday night. Whichever team makes the fewer number of mistakes will get its first region win of the season. Here's a prediction: Tanque Verde will recover a late fumble for a touchdown and win, 14-7.
