As the Arizona high school football season enters Week 10, the Star presents our weekly look back at the best of last week while charging ahead toward what we might be able to expect from programs across Tucson and surrounding communities this Thursday or Friday night.
Team of the week
Sabino High School quarterback Cameron Hackworth throws the ball during practice on Aug. 14. The Sabercats entered the 2023 season among the favorites to win the 3A state title.
For the most part, last week was a good one in Southern Arizona football, so there was tough competition for "team of the week" designation.
However, Sabino (6-2) picked up probably the most significant win, beating then No. 3 Waddell ALA-West Foothills 42-21. The Sabercats were coming off a 27-20 home loss to Thatcher and ALA-West Foothills’ only loss was 28-20 at No. 1 Bullhead City Mohave.
Sabino senior quarterback Cameron Hackworth passed for 325 yards and moved into fourth on the all-time Southern Arizona passing chart with 7,301 yards according to AllSportsTucson.com. Andrew Cota, of Sunnyside and Salpointe Catholic is third with 7,554 yard from 2010 to 2013.
Walden Grove's Gabriel Smith (7) drops a pass over the head of Cienega's Ledainean Moore (4) at Walden Grove High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 15, 2023.
Stat book
Walden Grove senior quarterback Gabriel Smith passed for 297 yards and five touchdowns in WG’s 42-7 win over Pueblo on Friday. According to AllSportsTucson.com, Smith moved onto 13th on the all-time Southern Arizona passing chart when he passed the 5,000 passing yard plateau.
Sunnyside's Samario Garcia (5) high steps past Rincon's Gabe Diochea (18) and Abdullah Jassim (34) on his way to the end zone during their high school football game at Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Ariz., October 14, 2022.
Cholla had two 100-yard rushers in the Chargers' 31-15 win over Sahuarita. Junior Francisco Javier Mendivil had 119 on 17 carries and on 18 carries senior Rocco Sotelo had 154.
Two Sunnyside backs ran for over 120 yards in Blue Devils' 12-3 win over Cienega. Senior Samario Garcia gained 123 yards on 20 carries and senior Victor Gonzalez had 163 yards on 20 carries as well.
ALA Gilbert North wide receiver Brandon Phelps, a UA commit, is tackled by Lake Havasu on Dec. 2, 2022.
Recruiting trail
Gilbert ALA Gilbert North senior receiver Brandon Phelps broke another state record on Friday, getting the all-time receptions mark. The UA commit broke the career receiving yards record and the career receiving touchdown standard previously. He had seven catches for 138 yards against Scottsdale Cactus Shadows last week.
Cienega's Jamarye Joiner (11) muscles his way through Ironwood Ridge's Kyle Nicolai (14) on the Bobcats first play in overtime to score what with the extra point was the winner in overtime at Cienega High School, Friday, October 20, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
Next level
Senior receiver Jamarye Joiner had two catches for 23 yards in Jacksonville State’s 31-13 loss to Liberty. The Cienega alum and former UA player has seven catches for 72 yards this season playing under JSU coach Rich Rodriguez (formerly the head coach at Arizona).
Quoteable
“I told the kids ‘thanks,’” Canyon del Oro head coach Dustin Peace said of beating his mentor, Mica Mountain's Pat Nugent. “If I had to live my life 0-4, every time we go golfing or something, I couldn’t say anything else, no matter if we had state championships or not.”
Mica Mountain's head coach Pat Nugent, left, has a laugh with his former player and assistant and current head coach at Canyon del Oro, Dustin Peace, before their game at CDO Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Prior to his current role at MM, Nugent coached Peace at Flowing Wells and hired Peace to his staff at CDO. The Dorados held on to beat the Thunderbolts 17-15 in a top-three 4A match up last week for the protégé’s first win over Nugent.
Peace and CDO did win the 2009 4A-II title after Nugent went to coach Pima College.
Going social
"Sheesh! Nick is a stud. ... Fun Fact #1: Nick intercepted a pass and 4 plays later went out and boomed the 47-yarder. ... Fun Fact #2: Nick doesn’t use a kicking block. He kicks straight off the ground. ... [two frozen faces emojis] … #hawkyeah
— Tanque Verde head coach Jeff Bollnow posted on X (Twitter) about TV senior kicker/defensive back Nicholas Coryell.
Salpointe’s varsity football team runs on to the field before the Lancers’ game against Valley Vista High School at Salpointe Catholic High School on Sept. 15.
Games of the week
Mountain Pointe (5-2) at Salpointe Catholic (6-1)
Location: 1545 East Copper St.
Notable: Salpointe, No. 12 in Class 6A, returns to Central Region play looking to rebound from last week’s 49-0 loss at Open No. 2 Peoria Liberty. The Lancers lead the region with a 2-0 record as their focus shifts to 6A with the Open likely out of reach. Senior running back Christian Clark, a Texas commit, leads 6A No. 16 Mountain Pointe.
Pusch Ridge's Bubba Mustain (2) scrambles up the middle between Catalina Foothills's Tanner Montijo (11), left, and Rey Vasquez (9) in the third quarter of their game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., September 14, 2023.
Thatcher (5-3) at Pusch Ridge Christian (6-2)
Location: 9500 North Oracle Road
Notable: Thatcher, No. 6 in Class 3A, returns to the Tucson area after upsetting Sabino on Oct. 6, 27-20. Meanwhile, 3A No. 8 Pusch Ridge is coming off a 31-20 win over No. 21 Coolidge, which ended the Lions' two-game slide. The game not only has playoff implications but Thatcher is atop the 3A South at 2-0 in region play; PRCA is 0-2.
PICTURE THIS
Last Friday: Canyon del Oro 17, Mica Mountain 15
There was no bigger game in Southern Arizona — likely statewide — last Friday night than the Dorados and Thunderbolts in Oro Valley.
These teams entered the season on a collision course to this Week 8 matchup, and may still be on a similar course with a possible Class 4A state playoff rematch hardly impossible (that is if CDO doesn't end up in the Open division).
For dozens of images from this game, a full photo gallery from Star photographer Kelly Presnell:
The Dorados hold on in the final seconds to go 7-0 and drop the visiting Bolts to 6-1, with a 17-15 home win, Tucson, Ariz., Oct. 13, 2023.
VIDEO VAULT
Also from CDO, Mica Mountain, videos of scoring plays for both teams, and other big moments (like CDO's halfback pass that led to an all-important field goal, and Sa'Kylee Woodard's game-saving sack on a two-point conversion try) via Star sports correspondent James Kelley:
1st quarter:
VIDEO: Canyon del Oro’s Kayden Luke scores on a 4-yard touchdown run during the Dorados’ tight 17-15 win over Mica Mountain in a showdown of previously-unbeaten Tucson-rea 4A leaders. CDO improved to 7-0 with the win on Oct. 13, 2023; Mica Mountain to 6-1 on the 2023 season. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Mica Mountain receiver Jack Bradley catches a 10-yard touchdown catch near the pylon to get the Thunderbolts on the board in the first quarter of what would turn out to be a 17-15 loss to Canyon del Oro. CDO improved to 7-0 with the win on Oct. 13, 2023; Mica Mountain to 6-1 on the 2023 season. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
3rd quarter:
VIDEO: Mica Mountain kicker Landon Hubbard connects on a 23-yard field goal in the third quarter to put the Thunderbolts up 9-7 over Canyon del Oro. Mica Mountain couldn’t hold on to that lead, with CDO eventually winning 17-15. CDO improved to 7-0 with the win on Oct. 13, 2023; Mica Mountain to 6-1 on the 2023 season. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Canyon del Oro’s Chase Laux completes a 46-yard halfback pass to teammate Chance Cassell. That set up a field goal to give the Dorados a fourth-quarter lead over Mica Mountain late in CDO’s tight 17-15 win over the Thunderbolts in a showdown of previously-unbeaten Tucson-rea 4A leaders. CDO improved to 7-0 with the win on Oct. 13, 2023; Mica Mountain to 6-1 on the 2023 season. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Canyon del Oro kicker Reece Douglas connects on a 21-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to put the Dorados up 10-9 in what would turn out to be a 17-15 CDO win over Mica Mountain. CDO improved to 7-0 with the win on Oct. 13, 2023; Mica Mountain to 6-1 on the 2023 season. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
4th quarter:
VIDEO: Canyon del Oro’s Kayden Luke scores on a 14-yard touchdown run during the Dorados’ tight 17-15 win over Mica Mountain in a showdown of previously-unbeaten Tucson-rea 4A leaders. CDO improved to 7-0 with the win on Oct. 13, 2023; Mica Mountain to 6-1 on the 2023 season. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Mica Mountain tight end Jimmy Leon hauls in a 3-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Jayden Thoreson along the back of the endzone to cut the score to 17-15, before a two-point attempt to tie in the final minute against Canyon del Oro. CDO (7-0) would stop the conversion attempt, holding on for 17-15 win over previously-unbeaten MM (6-1) on Oct. 13, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Canyon del Oro’s Sa’Kylee Woodard gets into the backfield for a sack on a two-point conversion try by Mica Mountain. The stop secured a 17-15 win for the Dorados over the Thunderboltsin a showdown of previously-unbeaten Tucson-rea 4A leaders. CDO improved to 7-0 with the win on Oct. 13, 2023; Mica Mountain to 6-1 on the 2023 season. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
Photos: Canyon del Oro edges Mica Mountain in matchup of 4A high school football unbeatens
Mica Mountain's George Flores (75) kneels on the field while Canyon del Oro’s bench celebrates the Dorados’ last second stand on a Bolt two-point conversion that failed in the fourth quarter of CDO’s 17-15 home win, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Canyon de Oro's Kayden Luke (30), left, slams into Mica Mountain's Kason Colbert (44) on a carry up the middle during their game at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Mica Mountain's Jonah Garcia (13) gets a hand on the mask of Canyon de Oro's Joe Alba (23) stopping his first quarter run at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Canyon de Oro's Kayden Luke (30) gets hoisted into the air by Sa'Kylee Woodard (55) after barging in for what turned out to be the winning points in a 17-15 win over Mica Mountain at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023. The loss was the first for the Bolts, dropping them to 6-1, CDO stayed unbeaten at 7-0.
Canyon de Oro's Chase Laux (14) hangs on to drag down Mica Mountain's Kason Colbert (44) on a run in first quarter of their game at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Canyon de Oro's Izaiah Lucero (2) flies in to make the shoestring tackle and stop Mica Mountain's Conner Hangarner (7) on his catch and run in second quarter of their game at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Canyon de Oro’s Kayden Luke (30) stretches for the goal line to notch the Dorados’ first score in the first quarter of their Oct. 13 matchup against Mica Mountain — a game that came down to the wire.
Mica Mountain's Kason Colbert (44) twists out of the grip of Canyon de Oro's Kayden Luke (30) in the backfield during the first quarter of their game at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Canyon de Oro's Kayden Luke (30) dives from behind to stop Mica Mountain's Conner Hangarner (7) and his run in the second quarter of their game at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Mica Mountain's Broden Schmidt (40) puts a headlock on Canyon de Oro's Kayden Luke (30) and drag him down on his end run in the second quarter of their game at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Mica Mountain's Conner Hangarner (7) rides the block of teammate Devin Hayward (4) to get inside the Canyon del Oro five in second quarter of their game at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Canyon de Oro's Kayden Luke (30) runs over Mica Mountain's Broden Schmidt (40) picking up yardage at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Mica Mountain's Devin Hayward (4) chases his own muffed punt through the legs of Canyon de Oro's Chance Cassel (10) in the dying seconds of the second quarter of their game at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Canyon de Oro's Tristen Mcclelland (17) runs out of reach of Mica Mountain's Jaysen Criswell (51) looking for time to throw at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Canyon de Oro's Kayden Luke (30), left, Stayton Brooks (52) and Oro's Gavin Bower (8) are among the Dorados it takes to stop Mica Mountain's Kason Colbert (44) in third quarter of their game at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Canyon de Oro’s Cash Dickey hits Mica Mountain’s Josiah Thornwell from behind after his catch in a 2023 game.
Mica Mountain’s Jayden Thoreson (2) slides down in front of the umpire after scrambling out of trouble late in fourth quarter of the Thunderbolts’ matchup at Canyon del Oro High School on Oct. 13, 2023.
Canyon de Oro's Izaiah Lucero (2) makes sure Mica Mountain's Devin Hayward (4) stays separated from the ball on the Bolt throw over the middle in their game at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Mica Mountain's Jayden Thoreson (2) manages to just get off the pass and avoid the sack by Canyon de Oro's Gavin Bower (8) at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Mica Mountain's Nathaniel Bryant (21) catches Canyon de Oro's Ryan Madsen (16) from the blindside stopping his run-after-catch in fourth quarter of their game at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Mica Mountain's Jayden Thoreson (2) threads the needle between Canyon de Oro's Stayton Brooks (52) and Kayden Luke (30) for a touchdown in the final seconds of the fourth quarter of their game at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
The Canyon de Oro student section celebrates as the Dorados take the field before kick-off against Mica Mountain at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Canyon de Oro's Adrian Davidson (28) squeezes into his pads and jersey before the start of the night’s game against Mica Mountain at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Mica Mountain's head coach Pat Nugent, left, has a laugh with his former player and assistant and current head coach at Canyon del Oro, Dustin Peace, before their game at CDO Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Mica Mountain's head coach Pat Nugent walks the field as the Bolts get ready to take on the Dorados at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
Canyon de Oro's head coach Dustin Peace and his staff try to get the Dorados organized for a goal line stand with the game on the line against Mica Mountain at Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 13, 2023.
