With Arizona high school football season in full swing, the Star shares 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 Friday night.
Team of the week
Sahuaro handled east-side rival Sabino 44-6 to win its third game in a row overall and its second consecutive against the Sabercats.
Sahuaro's Xavier Shelton (11), left and Elisha Rodgers (5) take a knee together in the final minutes before kickoff vs. Desert View, Sept. 5, 2025.
Sabino had won four in a row against the Cougars before that.
Freshman Lekie Sika ran for 81 yards and a touchdown on five carries as four Cougars ran for at least 25 yards. Three Cougars had interceptions.
Play of the week
Trailing 10-0 with the halftime break incoming, Salpointe Catholic junior receiver/cornerback RJ Gory caught a Hail Mary pass, naturally. The 30-yard touchdown reception led to a 10-7 halftime score, and the Lancers would continue to come back to beat ALA - Queen Creek 21-17 on the road.
Marana's Walter Evans-Gonzalez (24), left, and Marana's Daniel Hayward (6) team up to smother Salpointe's RJ Gory (3) on sweep in the third quarter, Aug. 29, 2025, in Tucson.
Rain delays
There were 10 games in Arizona that were pushed to Saturday due to last week’s showers, most notably Sunnyside’s game at Nogales. The Apaches hosted the Blue Devils on Thursday, but that got pushed to Saturday with Sunnyside leading 20-0 in the first quarter, according to All Sports Tucson. Then the game was shifted to Sunnyside due to damage to Nogales’ field. The Blue Devils scored 20 more in Tucson to win 40-0.
The Douglas Dispatch reported that Douglas’ game against Rincon/University was canceled. It was to be played on Monday but they since they play Mica Mountain on Friday that exceeded the limit of six quarters a student athlete can play in one week, so the Rangers game was canceled.
Recruiting trail
Marana’s Sean Roebuck (5) jumps in front of Canyon del Oro’s Jayden Smith (2) to snare an interception in the second quarter, Sept. 19, 2025.
Marana junior receiver/defensive back Sean Roebuck announced he received a scholarship offer from Washington head coach Jedd Fisch. Roebuck’s brother, Dezmen, is a freshman wide receiver for the Huskies. Also, Salpointe junior receiver/safety David Rushing received an offer from Utah. Rushing’s brothers, Cruz and Elijah, play at Oregon.
Fight night
KCUB 1290 reported that on Friday, with Cholla leading 14-6, a Charger committed a late hit on an Amphitheater player and in the ensuing brawl, every Cholla player left the bench, leading to the Chargers to only have 11 available players and a forfeit. The loss is Cholla’s third in a row after starting the season 2-0.
Next level
Robinson
Last week, Atlanta Falcon Bijan Robinson donated books to almost 8,000 students in Atlanta public schools. On Sunday against the Washington Commanders, the Salpointe alumnus ran for 75 yards and had 106 receiving yards in the Falcons’ 34-27 win.
Quoteable
“It’s great. I’m really happy for the kids to get the win. They’ve worked really hard and they’re a better football team than their record suggests.” — Ironwood Ridge head coach Dale Stott said to All Sports Tucson after the Nighthawks beat Canyon del Oro 24-6 on Friday to get their first win of the season.
Games of the week
Sunnyside (4-1) at Desert View (5-0)
Location: 4101 E. Valencia Road
Notable: Not only is it the “Duel in the District” but it’s an early chance to stake their claim for the 5A Southern title on Thursday at 7 p.m. Desert View leads the Southern region with a 2-0 record, followed by Sunnyside and Flowing Wells in second at 1-0. Although the Blue Devils lead the Sunnyside School District rivalry 16-6 overall (according to azfootballarchives.com), the Jaguars won last year 29-28 in overtime.
Sunnyside started the all-time series 13-1, but since 2016, Desert View has won five times.
Pusch Ridge Christian (5-1) at Sabino (3-3)
Location: 5000 N. Bowes Road
Notable: The last two 3A state champions face off on Friday at 7 p.m. Not just bragging rights are at stake for the Tucson Area’s 3A schools, however, as it’s a crucial matchup to keep pace with first-place Thatcher in the 3A East. Thatcher and Sabino are 2-0 in region play, while Pusch Ridge is 2-1 after Thatcher snapped its 17-game win streak. Sabino leads the series with Pusch Ridge 5-3, but the Lions have won two of the last three seasons, including 42-24 last year.
