If there’s one thing you can count on in Arizona high school football, it is Thatcher being in the mix when it matters. The Eagles have been suiting up since 1934, but their real dominance started in 1986. Since then? Twelve trips to the state championship game and nine state titles. That’s not tradition — that’s a standard.
Head coach Dan Jones knows all about it. Now entering his sixth season at the helm, he’s built a 43–17 record, including last year’s 10–3 run that ended in the 3A semifinals. And don’t expect the goals to change any time soon. As Jones puts it: “We expect to fight for a win in every game, to battle for the region title, and to be in the mix for the state title.”
Offensively, the Eagles bring back a strong foundation. Quarterback Chad Johnson returns after throwing for 1,135 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also adding 323 rushing yards. The ground game should once again be a strength with a deep group of running backs. Ryan Jones (247 yards, 2 TDs) and Smith Mangum (147 yards, 2 TDs) will carry much of the load, and they’ll run behind a tough core of linemen that includes returning all-region picks Landon Robbins and Travis Larson. Throw in Kannon Windsor and Vincent Bejarano, and you’ve got a group up front that should give Johnson time and space to work.
The receiving corps is new but promising. Juniors Josh Jones and Hudson Conrad stood out over the summer and are penciled in to lead the way. There are a few other names to watch as well — talented but still relatively unknown. That could change fast.
On defense, it starts with Ryan Jones again the senior linebacker led the team with 102 tackles, along with 4 tackles for loss and an interception. Landon Robbins added 57 tackles and 3 sacks, and Larson (20 tackles, 2 sacks) will again be a problem for opposing lines.
There are a couple of big additions, too. Brigham Palmer, a senior move-in from Texas, will see significant time at corner and receiver. Jackson Bryce, another senior transfer from Utah, will see time at linebacker and running back. Meanwhile, Dylan Riney (missed time with injury last year but logged 11 tackles in four games) and Josiah Matagaono (15 tackles in seven games) are healthy again and expected to make an impact.
Special teams? Locked down. Luke Marble is back and as reliable as they come — he hit 41 of 45 PATs and knocked through a 36-yard field goal last year.
The early schedule is a gauntlet — ALA Ironwood, Ben Franklin, and Pusch Ridge all within the first five weeks — but that’s by design. “Baptism by fire,” as Coach Jones put it. There’s no easing into 3A ball, especially when you’re one of the smallest schools in the classification.
Still, this is a focused, no-nonsense group. Jones calls it the most prepared team he’s taken to camp. The motto this year? “Non Ducimur, Ducimus.” Translation: We are not led. We lead. That’s not just a slogan around Thatcher — it is how they’ve built a powerhouse.
And judging by the way this team is shaping up, they’re planning to lead all the way into November.
