As the Arizona high school football season enters Week 11, 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
Cienega kept its postseason hopes alive with a 17-6 upset of then No. 7 Buena (6-2) on Friday.
Cienega (4-4) had lost two in a row and three of the its last four. The win also helps the Bobcats in their quest to avoid their first losing season since 2015, when they went 4-6.
Cienega moved up five spots to No. 22 in the 5A rankings, within striking distance of the playoffs.
Bobcat senior quarterback Evan Weber was 8-for-17 for 160 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions and ran for 50 yards on 13 carries.
Cienega's Elliott Weaver (72) hoists quarterback Evan Weber (1) after his touchdown in the second quarter against McClintock at Cienega High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 21, 2023.
Four Bobcats caught passes, each had two catches a piece, led by sophomore receiver Logan Welsh, who had 50 yards.
Walden Grove’s Carlos Montoya Jr (20) slips by Cienega’s Liam Moore (80) on his way to the end zone for a score in the second quarter of their game at Walden Grove on Sept. 15, 2023
Stat book
Walden Grove junior running back Carlos Montoya Jr. ran for 94 yards on 3 carries in the Red Wolves’ 49-34 win over Catalina Foothills last week.
Mica Mountain junior running back Jordan Perry rushed for 109 yards on 6 carries in MM’s 55-20 win over Sahuaro on Friday.
Senior Justin Holguin ran 135 yards on 13 carries and junior Nicholas Horrocks had 93 yards on 12 attempts in Mountain View’s 42-14 win over Maricopa last week.
Recruiting trail
NAU nickelbacks coach Harrison Beemiller came to Southern Arizona on Friday and visited Marana, Ironwood Ridge, Tucson High, Flowing Wells and Salpointe Catholic. Beemiller played at NAU and Ironwood Ridge.
Valley Vista’s Damir Ilicic (15) releases the ball as Salpointe’s Keona Davis (50) goes in for the tackle during a matchup at Salpointe Catholic High School on Sept. 15, 2023
Next level
In what was perhaps just a coincidence, Arizona football posted via X (Twitter) a Q&A with UA senior offensive lineman Jordan Morgan, who went to Marana, just after Salpointe senior defensive lineman Keona Wilhite committed to Washington. The link to the article from TheDraftNetwork.com was accompanied by an image in bold and all CAPS that said “Morgan stayed at home” and the text in the tweet said “Homegrown Wildcat.”
Canyon del Oro's head coach Dustin Peace reacts while talking to Canyon del Oro's Tristen McClelland (17) after broken play against Pueblo in the fourth quarter of their game at Pueblo High School, Tucson, Ariz., October 19, 2023.
Quotable
“We’ll see what happens after this (week’s win over Pueblo),” said Canyon del Oro head coach Dustin Peace to AllSportsTucson.com. “We’ll all know. People in Phoenix have been calling me this week. (The Arizona Football) Coaches Association put out a poll on our behalf. I didn’t even know they were doing it, just seeing what people think about it.”
CDO jumped to No. 3 in the Open rankings last week, shocking the state. East Valley Tribune sports editor Zach Alvira posted on X (Twitter) that the coaches association sent out a survey asking if 4A should be in the Open, most said no. The Dorados dropped to 10th this week though, despite their 46-7 win over Pueblo.
Going social
"Everyone: 'How dare they have a 4A team ranked in the open?! CDO shouldn’t be in the open! WHAT IS THE DEAL?!' Me: 'CDO has earned their way to the open and if they win their final two games, they deserve their seat at the table.' "
— Jacob Seliga, a writer for arizonavarsity.com and Rivals posted on X (Twitter) about CDO and the Open.
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.
Games of the week
Walden Grove (6-2) at Mica Mountain (7-1)
Location: 10800 E. Valencia Road
Notable: After starting the season 0-2, Walden Grove (4A, No. 11) has won six in a row. However, the Red Wolves end the regular season with Mica Mountain, No. 13 in the Open (4A, No. 4), and Canyon del Oro, No. 10 in the Open. Meanwhile, MM is two plays at CDO (an extra point and a two point conversion) away from having won 13 in a row.
Walden Grove’s head coach Corey Noble, left, and assistant offensive line coach Jacob Montano signal in a formation during the second quarter of the Red Wolves win last Friday in Sahuarita.
Mohave (9-0) at Sabino (6-3)
Location: 5000 N. Bowes Road
Notable: Although Sabino (3A, No. 7) lost last week to then No. 11 Morenci 31-28, the Sabercats beat No. 5 Waddell ALA-West Foothills 42-21 the week before. ALA-West Foothills’ only other loss was at top ranked Bullhead City Mohave (3A, No. 1), 28-20. According to AllSportsTucson.com, Sabino senior quarterback Cameron Hackworth is one touchdown behind the Southern Arizona career passing touchdown record of 86 set by Marana alum Trenton Bourguet.
Sabino's Cameron Hackworth (1) rolls out and throws under pressure in the high school football game at Pusch Ridge, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 30, 2022.
Picture this
Canyon del Oro 46, Pueblo 7
Canyon del Oro kept its unbeaten train running down the tracks on a short week this week, dispatching Pueblo 46-7 last Friday to improve to 8-0 overall.
For dozens of images from this game, a full photo gallery from Star photographer Kelly Presnell:
The Dorados run out three quick scores in the first quarter en route to going 8-0, 3-0 in the 4A Kino South, dropping Pueblo to 3-5, 0-3, Octo…
Video Vault
Tucson 35, Flowing Wells 28
Watch a number of key plays — both touchdowns and defensive takeaways — from Tucson's one-score victory at Flowing Wells last Friday night via Star sports correspondent James Kelley:
VIDEO: Tucson High senior quarterback James Diaz runs it in for a touchdown from 10 yards out during the Badgers’ 35-28 win at Flowing Wells on Oct. 20, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Tucson High sophomore wide receiver Noah Chanez takes the catch-and-run play 22 yards for a touchdown in the Badgers’ 35-28 win at Flowing Wells on Oct. 20, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Flowing Wells senior cornerback Jerry Ortiz picks off a Tucson High pass and returns it deep into Badger territory during the Caballeros’ 35-28 home loss to Tucson High on Oct. 20, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Flowing Wells sophomore Benicio Ruiz hauls in a 36-yard touchdown catch during the Caballeros eventual 35-28 home loss to Tucson High on Oct. 20, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Tucson High senior cornerback Diondre Maultsby intercepts a Flowing Wells deep ball in the end zone during the Badgers’ 35-28 win at Flowing Wells on Oct. 20, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Flowing Wells sophomore Benicio Ruiz runs the direct snap up the gut five yards for a touchdown during the Caballeros’ 35-28 home loss to Tucson High on Oct. 20, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Flowing Wells sophomore fullback Alfredo Guzman pushes through the line for a 22-yard touchdown run during the Caballeros’ 35-28 home loss to Tucson High on Oct. 30, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Flowing Wells junior wide receiver Alex Thompson scores on a 40-yard catch-and-run during the Caballeros’ 35-28 home loss to Tucson High on Oct. 20, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Tucson High junior cornerback Marcelino Montano intercepts a Flowing Wells pass a few yards shy of the goal line during the Badgers’ 35-28 win at Flowing Wells on Oct. 20, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Tucson High senior Sean Chavez recovers the ball in the end zone for a touchdown after a bad snap on a Flowing Wells punt attempt during the Badgers’ 35-28 road win over the Caballeros on Oct. 30, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Tucson High senior quarterback James Diaz runs it in from six yards out during the Badgers’ 35-28 win at Flowing Wells on Oct. 20, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Tucson High senior quarterback James Diaz runs it in for a touchdown from two yards out during the Badgers’ 35-28 win at Flowing Wells on Oct. 20, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
