Ranking the top places to take in a high school football game in Southern Arizona

High school tackle football in the Tucson area is enjoying one of its best eras ever, and the atmospheres at those games are top-notch.

With highly ranked Open, 6A, 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A teams, Southern Arizona squads are doing well on the field this year, and so are the fans. So we decided to present the 10 best places to take in a high school game.

There’s no shortage of good candidates, and schools like Walden Grove, Sunnyside, Cienega, Mountain View and Pueblo could easily have made the list.

10. Desert Christian

Conference: 1A

Enrollment: 218

Address: 7525 E. Speedway

Opened: 2024

Comment: A surprise addition to the list, Desert Christian’s stadium doesn’t have permanent lights yet. There’s not a lot of students with a 1A-sized enrollment, but they get more into the game and louder than some 5A or 4A schools. DC opened its season on a makeshift 80-yard field behind its K-8 campus and opened its stadium on Speedway on Oct. 4.

If you go: Hydrate. Its home games, at least this season, started at 6 p.m. rather than the usual 7 p.m.

9. Flowing Wells

Conference: 5A

Enrollment: 1,719

Address: 3725 N. Flowing Wells Road

Opened: 1958

Comment: Although an older school and older stadium, it’s been well-maintained and renovated, so it doesn’t feel old. The fans come in droves to support the Cabs, and the grass is the best in the city. A couple unique features for the stadium are the blue lights that shine on the home stand and the red ones that shine on the visitor’s, which provide intimate seating, not very high but almost 80 yards long.

If you go: Hit up Tucson Mall or one of the many retail stores on Oracle and Wetmore roads.

8. Catalina Foothills

Conference: 4A

Enrollment: 1,877

Address: 4300 E. Sunrise Drive

Opened: 1992

Comment: A true stadium, it is built into the school. Like other north side schools, it has picturesque views of the Catalinas. The football team is currently struggling, going 2-8 against a brutal schedule in head coach Greg McKinstry’s first season, but the fan support has remained. The student section is loud, gets into theme nights and the band is big and good (last week they won first place at the UA’s Band Day).

If you go: Park in the lots next to Sunrise so you can get the view of looking down on the field as you enter.

7. Ironwood Ridge

Conference: 5A

Enrollment: 1,572

Address: 2475 W. Naranja Drive

Opened: 2001

Comment: Offering great views of the various mountain ranges, IR was one of the first schools to start the northwest’s recent run of dominance. Long known for its prominent student section, the current Nighthawks continue that tradition, and they are famous for their theme nights.

If you go: If you are driving west on Naranja to Ironwood Ridge, go past the first set of buildings you see and the parking lot is located just northwest of the stadium.

6. Sabino

Conference: 3A

Enrollment: 867

Address: 5000 N. Bowes Road

Opened: 1972

Comment: Obviously the Saberdome is not literally a dome, but the stands get so packed it feels like one. Even though Sabino’s enrollment has dropped from 5A size at the turn of the century, the stands remain packed and the student section remains rowdy. The views are exquisite, right by Sabino Canyon. Plus, it has one of the better visitor stands, usually an afterthought at high schools. Sabino also has unique concessions.

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If you go: Go early, as parking can be hard to come by.

5. Tucson High

Conference: 5A

Enrollment: 3,069

Address: 400 N. Second Ave.

Opened: 1906

Comment: Certainly Tucson’s most historic high school football venue, Gridley Stadium is named for Rollin T. Gridley, who coached Tucson High to five state championships and a 32-game win streak from 1935-47. One of the few to feature a stadium on the visitor side, the home side was moved to the east in 1987. Although the Badgers’ last state title was in 1971, fan support remains strong. They have a strong band and two mascots.

If you go: Go by UA or downtown before of after the game. Tucson High is in the heart of Tucson.

4. Salpointe Catholic

Conference: 6A

Enrollment: 1,305

Address: 1545 E. Copper St.

Opened: 1958

Comment: The Lancers play at Ed Doherty Stadium, named for former Salpointe, UA, ASU, Xavier University and University of Rhode Island head coach Ed Doherty. He also was an assistant for the Philadelphia Eagles, Boston College and Notre Dame. The student section is big and loud, and since there’s no track at the stadium, the home side is very close to the action. Fans also line the end zone fences which are so close they talk to players.

If you go: Come early. Parking is at a premium in the main parking lot on football game days.

3. Marana

Conference: 5A

Enrollment: 2,450

Address: 12000 W. Emigh Road

Opened: 1975

Comment: The Tigers are the top-ranked team in the state as the postseason begins, but Marana has been well-supported long before becoming a football super power. The school is out of the way but driving up to those Friday night lights builds anticipation. There are Tiger logos everywhere and there is plenty of easily accessible parking. The T-Unit is easily one of the top student sections in Southern Arizona.

If you go: Sample some of their unique concession items.

2. Mica Mountain

Conference: 4A

Enrollment: 1,473

Address: 10800 E. Valencia Road

Opened: 2020

Comment: The newest big school stadium in Southern Arizona also features one of the best programs in the state. The Thunderbolts have won 26 of their last 28 games. The fans fill one of the larger home sides in Southern Arizona. The students are enthusiastic and dress for the game’s theme. The mascots, music and light shows feel more like a college game than high school.

If you go: Make sure you see the entrance, where the players run out to the AC/DC song “Thunderstruck,” with the lights flashing.

1. Canyon del Oro

Conference: 4A

Enrollment: 1,766

Address: 25 W. Calle Concordia

Opened: 1964

Comment: Like many in this top 10, Dorado Stadium has great views, but the backdrop of the Catalina Mountains is the most famous in the Tucson Area. The student section is loud and gets into theme nights, and the older fans come in big numbers, too. In an area with no shortage of great high school football venues, CDO is the best.

If you go: The main lot just south of the field fills up fast so go to one that looks hidden where the entrance is, just west of the fine arts building.