The Arizona Interscholastic Association released the 3A Football schedules late last week. Teams had been waiting on their schedules until after the court cases brought against the AIA by Round Valley, Northwest Christian and Benjamin Franklin.
2A Schedules were still being finalized after Sedona Red Rock dropped their football team due to low participation numbers. Those schedules should be ready this week according to officials.
Each 3A team will play at least one 4A team this year. They can also schedule one 2A team as well. Safford and Thatcher will both be in the 3A South for football only. Safford will be in the 3A South for all other sports. Thatcher will be in the 3A South Central for all other sports.
This will be Thatcher’s first year as a 3A football team. They did briefly play a quasi-3A schedule in 2015 when the AIA split into divisions but that was relatively short lived. A week zero bye isn’t a great start but with a brand new coach and a shortened preseason training window, it may end up just fine.
Thatcher 2020 Schedule
August 21 BYE
August 28 vs Snowflake
September 4 @ Pima (2A)
September 11 @ Douglas (4A)
September 18 vs Empire (4A)
September 25 vs Benson (2A)
October 2 @ Eastmark
October 9 @ Sahuarita
October 16 vs Pusch Ridge
October 23 @ Safford
October 30 vs Sabino
Safford is still searching for their next head coach but they have a schedule to prepare for now. Coming off the 3A South Championship the Bulldogs should be one of the favorites again this season.
Safford 2020 Schedule
August 21 @ Payson
August 28 @ Empire (4A)
September 4 vs Bisbee (2A)
September 11 BYE
September 18 @ Douglas (4A)
September 25 vs Pueblo (4A)
October 2 @ Sahuarita
October 9 vs Sabino
October 16 vs San Tan Foothills
October 23 vs Thatcher
October 30 @ Pusch Ridge
