The high school football season is in full swing in Southern Arizona. 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
Sierra Vista Buena improved to 2-0 with a route of Ironwood Ridge, 49-21, at home last Friday night.
In a matchup of two playoff teams from a year ago, the Colts jumped out to a 27-0 lead at the half. IR scored 14 points unanswered in the third, but Buena scored 22 more in the final frame to secure the win.
During a game last season, Buena's Nash Moore (9) gets off a pass as the pocket collapses around him in a matchup at Ironwood Ridge High School on Sept. 1, 2023.
Buena senior quarterback Nash Moore passed for 289 yards and four touchdowns, going 13 for 17. Buena senior running back Andres Bonilla ran for 73 yards on nine carries.
During a game last season, Ironwood Ridge’s Adrian Falcone (28) can’t keep Buena’s Jayden Thomas (1) from a hauling in a catch in the second quarter of their matchup at Ironwood Ridge High School on Sept. 1, 2023.
Six Colts caught passes, led by junior receiver Jayden Thomas, who had two catches for 88 yards and a touchdown and Bonilla, who had four catches for 41 yards and a score.
The Colts also won their first game in dominant fashion, beating Phoenix Betty H. Fairfax 68-19 on the road.
Play of the week
Palo Verde senior running back Jason Moreno ran in on a pitch from senior quarterback Victor Gonzales-Lopez to get a 2-point conversion and beat Rincon/University 16-15 on the road. The 2-point play came after PV sophomore defensive lineman Kamaiu Ortiz got a touchdown off a 10-yard scoop and score, according to azpreps365.com.
Tanque Verde wide receiver Delon Harrison (24) runs upfield during TV's season opening game against Phoenix Christian at Tanque Verde High School on Aug. 23, 2024.
Stat book
Catalina senior Mohamed Kallo rushed for 111 yards (12.3 per carry) and two touchdowns in the Trojans’ 28-26 overtime loss to Florence ALA-Anthem South on Friday.
Tanque Verde senior Delon Harrison ran for 129 yards on 12 carries (10.8 per rush) and two scores in the Hawks’ 40-26 win over Glendale Prep last week.
Ironwood Ridge senior Matthew Kroner caught 10 balls for 158 yards in its 49-21 loss to Buena.
Flannigan-Fowles
Next level
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles picked off New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers to get his first career interception in the 49ers’ 32-19 win on Monday. Flannigan-Fowles played for Tucson High and graduated from Mountain View before going to the UA. It was Rodgers’ first interception thrown since January 2023.
Quotable
"Higley at Marana next Friday just might be the Open football play-in game out of 5A. Both teams are exceptional..." — Arizona Republic high school and recruiting reporter Richard Obert posted on X (Twitter). Obert has been covering Arizona high school sports since the early ’80s. The Open tournament features the top eight teams in the state from 6A through 4A, but the field is usually dominated by 6A sides.
High school football: Marana HS receiver Dezmen Roebuck closes in on state receptions recordAfter setting the state record for receptions (121) in a single season in 2023, Marana High and University of Washington-bound receiver Dezmen Roebuck is now closing in on another record: this one for catches in an Arizona prep career.
Photos: Sunnyside pulls away late in dropping Flowing Wells 34-7, high school football
The pass slips through the arms of Flowing Wells's defensive back Jack Youmans (13) and into the embrace of Sunnyside's receiver Manny Moreno (1) for a Blue Devil touchdown in the second quarter of their high school game at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 5, 2024. Sunnyside ended up running away with the game 34-7 over the Caballeros.
Sunnyside's Gio Leyva (24) finds the seam between Flowing Wells's Dominik Soto (5), left, and Alfredo Guzman (20) for a rushing first down in the third quarter of their high school game at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 5, 2024.
Sunnyside's Adrian Lopez (0) sidesteps over for an extra yard in the arms of Flowing Wells's Alex Thompson (3) in the first quarter of their high school game at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 5, 2024.
Sunnyside's Damyan Tapia (2) gets the generous hop to grab a fumbled pitch to Flowing Wells's Jayden Simmons (8) and score in the fourth quarter of their high school game at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 5, 2024.
Sunnyside's Manny Moreno (1) gets hands to the pass but Flowing Wells's Alex Thompson (3) ends up reeling in the long bomb in the first quarter of their high school game at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 5, 2024.
Sunnyside's quarterback Raymond Duarte (8) under pressure from Flowing Wells's Giancarlo Quintero (55) finds Sunnyside's Manny Moreno (1) in the end zone for a Blue Devil touchdown in the second quarter of their high school game at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 5, 2024.
Sunnyside's Adrian Lopez (0) tries to stretch to the line after getting tripped up at the five in the third quarter against Flowing Wells at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 5, 2024.
Flowing Wells’ Benicio Ruiz (1) reaches back to swat away the pass intended for Sunnyside’s Gio Leyva in the third quarter on Sept. 5, 2024.
/Sunnyside's Raymond Duarte (8) tries to evade the pursuit of the Flowing Wells defense on a scramble in the thrid quarter of their high school game at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 5, 2024.
Flowing Wells's Jayden Simmons (8) heads to the house with what turned out to be the Caballeros only score of the night in the first quarter at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 5, 2024.
Flowing Wells's Alex Thompson (3) absorbs the impact in bringing down Sunnyside's Adrian Lopez (0) in the quarter of their high school game at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 5, 2024.
Sunnyside's Adrian Lopez (0) trips up Flowing Wells's Tyler Friedenberg (10) as he tries to turn on the corner on a keeper in the second quarter of their high school game at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 5, 2024.
Flowing Wells's Tyler Friedenberg (10) has to make the tackle after throwing the interception to Sunnyside's Manny Moreno (1) at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 5, 2024.
Sunnyside's Manny Moreno (1) tiptoes around the dive from Flowing Wells's Quinn Van (24) in the fourth quarter of their high school game at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 5, 2024.
Sunnyside's Mike Hernandez (6) wraps up Flowing Wells's Benicio Ruiz (1) trying to sweep the end in the fourth quarter of their high school game at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 5, 2024.
Flowing Wells’s Benicio Ruiz (1) is surrounded by nothing but black and blue trying to run around the end against Sunnyside Sept. 5, 2024.
Sunnyside receivers take throws into the corner as the Blue Devils prepare to host visiting Flowing Wells at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 5, 2024.
Sunnyside's head coach Thomas Romack signals in the defensive play during the first quarter of their high school game at Sunnyside High School against Flowing Wells, Tucson, Ariz., September 5, 2024.
Flowing Wells head coach Brian Hook talks with running back Jayden Simmons as the Caballeros warm up for the start of the third quarter at Sunnyside High School.
Photos: Marana edges visiting Salpointe in the last seconds 27-24 to open their seasons, high school football
Marana quarterback Colten Meyer’s (16) second-effort gets into the end zone on a two point conversion in the final seconds for the final points during the Tigers’ 27-24 win over Salpointe Catholic on Aug. 30 in Marana.
Marana's Jeffrey Smith III (33) takes a poke in the eye turning the corner on Salpointe's Thomas Regina (22) in the first quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana quarterback Colten Meyer (16) throws the game-winning pass over the rush from Salpointe Catholic’s Dinos Drossos (15) in the waning seconds of the the Tigers victory over the Lancers on Aug. 30 in Marana.
Marana's Dominic Cillitto (6) cradles the game-winning touchdown throw alone in the end zone in the fourth quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's quarterback Matthew Avelar (2) beats Marana's Wyatt Berry (10) to the pylon and score in the third quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's Cade Paglinawan (9) celebrates after the Lancers made a goal line stand against Marana in the fourth quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana's Dezmen Roebuck (1) drags down Salpointe's quarterback Matthew Avelar (2) for a sack in the third quarter at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana's Jeffrey Smith III (33) pushes his way past Salpointe's Richard Archuleta (5) on a first quarter sweep, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's Axel Martinez (26) trots in untouched after scooping up a Lancer fumble against Marana in the first quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's quarterback Matthew Avelar (2) goes down for a sack in the arms of Marana's Christian Berrios (8), left, Justin Elder (56) and Javi Muro (44) in the first quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's RJ Gory (87) slips the grip of Marana's Wyatt Berry (10) and eventually ends up in the end zone after a catch and run TD in the quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana's Jaxsun Sharp (12) gains ground while being pursued by Salpointe's Thomas Regina (22), left, and Salpointe's Dinos Drossos (15) at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana's Dermain Linen Jr (2) does just enough to spoil the reception for Salpointe's Morgan Quiri (14) on a deep throw in the second quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana's Dezmen Roebuck (1) batters Salpointe's Matthew Avelar (2) out of bounds in the second quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's Axel Martinez (26) lunges for a final yard in the arms of Marana's Dezmen Roebuck (1), top and Dominic Olivas (9) during the second quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana's Dezmen Roebuck (1) wraps up Salpointe's RJ Gory (87) after a catch at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's Nathan Spivey (8) loses his grip on the ball trying to get up the middle against Marana in the second quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's Cade Paglinawan (9) and Salpointe's Noah Banhie (99) sack Marana's quarterback Colten Meyer (16) in the early going of the third quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's quarterback Matthew Avelar (2) swings a pass to Salpointe's Axel Martinez (26) against Marana in the third quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana's Dezmen Roebuck (1) takes advantage of slip by Salpointe's Alon Deon (17) in the third quarter, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's Richard Archuleta (5), left, and Alon Deon (17) drag down Marana's Jaxsun Sharp (12) after his catch in the third quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana’s Greg Webb (11) puts the hit on a Salpointe running back for what was eventually ruled a fourth-quarter safety — the second Tiger safety on the night in a win over the Lancers on Aug. 30 in Marana.
Marana's Greg Webb (11) asks the official for a safety call after his tackle late in the fourth quarter in their high school football game against Salpointe, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's Morgan Quiri (14) brings down a catch despite being the arms of Marana's Dermain Linen Jr (2) in the fourth quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe’s Magnus Goodman gets enough fingers on the ball to keep Marana’s Dezmen Roebuck from hauling in a catch in the fourth quarter on Aug. 30.
Salpointe’s Dinos Drossos stretches the jersey of Marana’s Sean Roebuck stoping him after a catch in the fourth quarter of their Aug. 30 game.
Marana receiver Dezmen Roebuck (1), left, and quarterback Colten Meyer (16) celebrate Meyer’s two-point conversion run in the final seconds of the fourth quarter of the Tigers’ win over Salpointe Catholic on Aug. 30 in Marana.
Marana's Dezmen Roebuck (1) jumps for joy after making the game icing interception in the last seconds of the fourth quarter against Salpointe, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
The Tigers run onto the field in the last of the day’s light to take on Salpointe at Marana High School, the opener for both teams, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
London Sharp tries to get a high pressure drink from the Marana team water tank just before the Tigers kick off against Salpointe, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana's Andres Taylor (7) gets a hug in the aftermath of the Tigers 27-24 upset of visiting Salpointe, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's head coach Pat Ryder and the bench call in an offensive play in the third quarter at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's head coach Pat Ryder/ waits to give an interview as the his Lancers prepare to take on Marana, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Marana head coach Phillip Steward waits to give a pre-game interview as the Tigers get ready to face Salpointe in Marana on Aug. 30. The Tigers won that game, and every one since, jumping out to a 6-0 record and the state’s No. 1 spot in both the Class 5A and ‘Open’ rankings.
Marana's head coach Phillip Steward calls in the offensive set in a goal line situation during the first quarter against Salpointe, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's head coach Pat Ryder and the Lancers make their way to the bench to get ready for the third quarter at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
Salpointe's head coach Pat Ryder awaits the damage on a penalty call against his Lancers late in the fourth quarter at Marana High School, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
The Salpointe bench and staff reacts after the Lancers picked up a penalty on fourth down, pushing them back on a field goal attempt against Marana in the fourth quarter in their high school football game, Marana, Ariz., August 30, 2024.
