Desert Christian's players, coaches and support staff gather for a group photo in celebration of the program's first-ever varsity football win, a 42-20 win over Desert Heights Prep of Glendale.
During this Sept. 1, 2023 matchup, Ironwood Ridge's Grant Dooling (11), left, and Buena's Latavis Walker (8) collide during a punt return in a very wet first quarter of their showdown at Ironwood Ridge High School in Oro Valley.
Tucson-area high school football: Sahuaro senior linebacker Kayden Hunt records an interception during the Cougars' 15-14 win over rival Sabino on Aug. 30, 2024. (James Kelley, Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
With one full week of high school football in the books 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.
Teams of the week
Last week a pair of local times shined on different sides of the high school football spectrum.
At Marana High School, the Tigers opened the 2024 season with a 27-24 win over Salpointe Catholic, snapping the Lancersβ 23-game win streak against Tucson area teams that dated back to 2017.
Salpointe outscored local opponents 967-158 in that span and was so dominant the 4A-sized school was moved up to 6A for football.
Salpointe jumped ahead 15 points in the second half, but Marana rallied to avenge the Tigers' 35-14 loss at SCHS last year. Marana quarterback Colten Meyer passed for 264 yards and ran for the game-winning 2-point conversion. ...
Meanwhile, at a makeshift field at the K-8 campus because its new stadium wasnβt ready, coach Jason McKibben's Desert Christian Eagles won their first-ever varsity football game 42-20 over Glendale Desert Heights Prep. Desert Christian is the first 8-man football team in Tucson since 2009, when St. Augustine and Arizona State School for the Deaf and the Blind played together, according to azpreps365.com.
Desert Christian forfeited their first scheduled game due to injuries. DC junior quarterback CooperPayne ran 69 yards to score the Eaglesβ first touchdown.
Payne also had an interception, as did his brother Brock.
Play of the week
At around seven minutes left in the game, Sahuaro junior receiver JaydenJansen had a 15-yard reception on 3rd-and-long to set up senior running back Jermarell Webbβs game-winning 1-yard touchdown run in the Cougarsβ 15-14 win over Sabino.
Stat book
Empire senior running back Ngonkra Fuangunyi ran for 209 yards and a score on 24 carries in the Ravensβ 14-7 win over Phoenix Sierra Linda last week. Fuangunyi also had three tackles on defense.
Next level
Ohio State senior safety LathanRansom made nine tackles (including two for a loss) and returned a fumble for a touchdown to earn OSUβs Defensive Player of the Game honors after the Buckeyesβ 52-6 win over Akron on Saturday. Ransom graduated from Salpointe in 2020.
"Whoβs back of the week? The Fullback! @PardonMyTake ... Save a spot on the Lowman Trophy watchlist for the freshman Kayden Luke! @PFTCommenter @BarstoolBigCat @KaydenLuke2"
Arizona Football raved about its local-product-turned-touchdown-blocking-fullback on X (Twitter) on Monday. The post included a video of freshman Kayden Lukeβs highlights as well as praise from UA head coach BrentBrennan and senior running back running back QualiConley with an instrumental version of the AC/DC song βThunderstruck.β Luke led Canyon del Oro to the Class 4A state championship last season and had key blocks on three Wildcat touchdowns in his first college game Saturday night.
Games of the week
Marana (1-0) at Tucson High (1-0)
Location: 400 N. Second Ave.
Notable: Not only are both Marana and Tucson High 1-0 after the Tigers snapped Salpointe Catholicβs win streak over local teams and the Badgers routed Phoenix South Mountain 50-20 last week, both schools finished tied for first in their regions last year. Both went 4-1, Tucson High in the Class 5A Sonoran and Marana in the 5A Southern. Tucson High has won its last five in a row, and Marana has won four of its last five. They meet Friday at 7 p.m.
Ironwood Ridge (1-0) at Buena (1-0)
Location: 5225 E. Buena School Blvd; Sierra Vista
Notable: In 7 p.m. Friday match up of two of Southern Arizonaβs more prominent coaches, itβs another 5A Sonoran-versus-5A Southern tilt. Buena head coach and Sierra Vista native Joe Thomas won his 50th game as a head coach last week in the Colts' 68-19 victory over Phoenix Betty H. Fairfax. Ironwood Ridge head coach Dale Stott is the reigning 5A Sonoran Coach of the Year. Both teams reached the playoffs in 2023.
Sahuaro High School's wait to beat Sabino is over, but the Cougars are looking for more. On Friday Sahuaro held on to beat the Sabercats 15-14, snapping a four-game losing streak to the school's east side rivals.
Photos: Marana edges visiting Salpointe in the last seconds 27-24 to open their seasons, high school football