High School football: Mica, CDO stay unbeaten ahead of showdown as Empire outlasts Amphi

It was a big Friday night for high school football teams from Eastern Arizona playing against their counterparts in and around Tucson.

Morenci, Thatcher and Willcox each entered Week 8 at .500 or worse on the year, but each also tasked with trying to unseat higher-ranked, win-heavy, one-loss opponents.

All three were up to that task.

In the Class 3A South Region, No. 13 Morenci handed No. 7 Pusch Ridge Christian its second consecutive loss — this one a tight 14-7 margin — in Oro Valley. On the East side, No. 11 Thatcher defated No. 5 Sabino — the Sabercats the team that handed Pusch Ridge its first loss just a week ago — 27-20.

In 2A San Pedro Region action, No. 27 Willcox shutout No. 5 Tanque Verde at home, 7-0.

Pusch Ridge, Sabino and Tanque Verde all came in 5-1 on the year, while Morenci and Thatcher jumped above .500 to 4-3, and Willcox moved to 3-4 overall.

Elsewhere, the Tucson area’s trio of unbeatens — Salpointe Catholic, Canyon del Oro and Mica Mountain — all improved to 6-0.

But by this time next week, there can only be two of those at 7-0, and it's not impossible that just one comes out unscathed.

Mica Mountain plays at CDO at 7 p.m. this coming Friday night, meaning one of those two will walk away with its first loss in what is turning into hallmark campaigns for both programs.

And in Salpointe’s case, the Lancers face what is, at least on paper, their toughest opponent of the 2023 regular season at Peoria Liberty (5-1). Liberty’s only loss this season came three weeks ago, a 42-25 defeat at Corona (Calif.) Centennial. And, for what it’s worth, Corona Centennial (5-2) entered this week ranked No. 19 in the nation by MaxPreps, having only lost to national powers Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei and Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, Max Preps' respective No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the entire country.

The entire high school football scoreboard from Thursday, Oct. 5 and Friday, Oct. 6, representing teams from Tucson and surrounding communities:

• Salpointe Catholic (6-0) 29, Tempe Corona del Sol (2-4) 20
• Casa Grande (5-2) 53, Cienega (3-3) 21
• Buena (6-1) 36, Desert View (3-4) 14
• Ironwood Ridge (6-1) 37, Tucson High (1-5) 22
• Maricopa (3-3) 41, Nogales (0-6) 0
• Mountain View (2-4) 35, Flowing Wells (1-6) 14
• Sunnyside (3-3) 17, Marana (2-5) 6
• Canyon del Oro (6-0) 50, Catalina Foothills (3-4) 14
• Douglas (3-4) 41, Cholla (3-4) 0
• Empire (3-4) 27, Amphitheater (4-3) 20
• Mica Mountain (6-0) 57, Pueblo (3-3) 0
• Casa Grande Vista Grande (6-1) 54, Rincon/University (2-4) 14
• Rio Rico (3-3) 38, Sahuarita (1-5) 8
• Walden Grove (4-2) 51, Sahuaro (2-5) 8
• Morenci (4-3) 14, Pusch Ridge Christian (5-2) 7
• Thatcher (4-3) 27, Sabino (5-2) 20
• Bisbee (5-2) 74, Palo Verde (1-6) 26
• Tombstone (5-2) 69, Catalina (3-4) 0
• Willcox (3-4) 7, Tanque Verde (5-2) 0

Local Highlights

While there were certainly games with bigger overall implications, the Star’s staff made it out to a number of the area’s Tucson-vs.-Tucson matchups Friday night.

Empire 27, Amphi 20

Empire improved to 3-4 on the year (dropping Amphi to 4-3) by holding on to win this matchup on Mary Ann Cleveland Way.

To see more from this game, a full photo gallery from Star photographer Kelly Presnell:

Photos: Empire hangs on to drop visiting Amphi 27-20, high school football

The Panthers can't quite make the comeback late on the Ravens, losing 27-20 in a 4A Gila match-up, Empire High School, Tucson, Ariz., October …

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Mica Mountain 57, Pueblo 0

The Thunderbolts took care of business in improving to 6-0 and setting up their unbeaten showdown at Corona del Sol (also 6-0) next week.

To see more from this game, a full photo gallery from Star photographer Grace Trejo:

Photos: Mica Mountain continues undefeated season after a 57-0 win over Pueblo, high school football

The Mica Mountain Thunderbolts (6-0) continue an undefeated season after a 57-0 shut-out win over the Pueblo Warriors (3-3) Friday night at Pu…

Ironwood Ridge 37, Tucson 22

The Knighthawks, one of the best overall stories of 2023, improved to 6-1 and have their sights set on a playoff berth this year.

A video rundown of scoring plays and big defensive efforts from both the Knighthawks and Badgers Friday night via Star correspondent James Kelley: