Pima Roughriders (1-0) vs. Safford Bulldogs (0-1)
Game Date: Thursday, August 29th, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Pima High School
Radio: KATO 1230AM or gilavalleycentral.net
The Pima Roughriders are coming off a dominant 41-0 victory over the Globe Tigers, with senior Jeremiah Martinez leading the way, rushing for 182 yards and two touchdowns. The Roughriders’ offense was balanced, with 322 total yards, including 270 on the ground, and the defense secured a shutout with contributions across the board.
Safford, on the other hand, struggled in their season opener, falling 20-6 to the Payson Longhorns at home. Despite the loss, the Bulldogs showed promise on defense, intercepting three passes—two by senior Carlos Arbizo and one by senior Cole Goodman. On offense, junior quarterback Jevyn Elliott completed 8 of 13 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown, with senior wide receiver Cole Yentsch being the standout, catching four passes for 86 yards and a touchdown.
The Bulldogs’ rushing attack managed just 38 yards on 13 carries, with Arbizo leading the way with 22 yards on five attempts. Defensively, senior Xavier Owens was a force, recording 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks, while senior linebacker Jace Jameson added six tackles.
Safford’s key challenge will be containing Pima’s explosive ground game, led by Martinez. Meanwhile, Pima will need to be wary of Safford’s opportunistic defense, which proved capable of generating turnovers. This matchup will hinge on Safford’s ability to find balance on offense and capitalize on any mistakes by Pima.
Key Players to Watch:
- Jeremiah Martinez (Sr), Pima: With 221 all-purpose yards in the opener, Martinez is the engine of the Pima offense.
- Jevyn Elliott (Jr), Safford: Elliott can build on his solid passing performance last week and lead a more consistent offense.
- Carlos Arbizo (Sr), Safford: A defensive playmaker with two interceptions last week, Arbizo could be key in disrupting Pima’s attack.
- Xavier Owens (Sr), Safford: His 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks in the opener make him a crucial player to watch on the Bulldogs’ defense.
Thatcher Eagles (1-0) vs. Crismon Rattlers (0-1)
Game Date: Friday, August 30th, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Crismon High School
The Thatcher Eagles had an impressive start to their season, dominating the Paradise Honors Panthers 32-0 in their home opener. Despite no official stats being available for Thatcher, their performance on the field spoke volumes, with the Eagles jumping out to a 25-0 lead by the end of the third quarter and never looking back.
Crismon, on the other hand, struggled in their season opener, falling 34-7 to Benjamin Franklin High. Crismon’s defense had difficulty containing Benjamin Franklin’s running game, allowing 220 rushing yards, including four touchdowns by senior Ridge Allen. Crismon also had trouble moving the ball, managing just 61 passing yards and struggling on the ground.
As Thatcher travels to face Crismon, the Eagles will be looking to build on their strong start and continue their defensive dominance. Crismon will need to find a way to generate more offense and tighten up defensively if they hope to compete with a well-rounded Thatcher team.
What to Watch:
- Thatcher Eagles Defense: After shutting out Paradise Honors, Thatcher’s defense will be key in stopping Crismon’s struggling offense.
- Crismon Rattlers Offense: With just 61 passing yards and limited success on the ground in their opener, Crismon must find more offensive consistency to challenge Thatcher.
Thatcher will look to continue their winning streak on the road, while Crismon aims to rebound from a tough opening loss and secure their first win of the season.
Morenci Wildcats (0-1) vs. Round Valley Elks (Season Opener)
Game Date: Friday, August 30th, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Morenci High School
The Morenci Wildcats are looking to rebound after a tough 35-34 loss to ALA – Ironwood in their season opener. The Wildcats showcased a strong rushing attack, led by standout performances from Chris Lopez, who rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns, and Julian Aragon, who added 138 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Round Valley, meanwhile, is set to kick off their season against Morenci. Last year, the Elks were led by senior quarterback Ryker Marble, who threw for 1,322 yards and 13 touchdowns while also rushing for 958 yards and nine scores. With Marble graduated, the Elks will be looking for Conner Lueker to step up this season. Junior running back Kyle Clark, who rushed for 794 yards and nine touchdowns last season, is expected to play a significant role in the Elks’ offense.
Morenci’s defense will need to tighten up after allowing 35 points in their opener, while their offense looks to build on the success of their ground game. Round Valley will aim to start their season on a strong note, relying on their experienced returning players to fill the void left by their graduated seniors.
Key Players to Watch:
- Chris Lopez (Sr), Morenci: Lopez’s two-touchdown performance in the opener highlighted his ability to break through defenses.
- Julian Aragon (Jr), Morenci: With 138 rushing yards last week, Aragon is a crucial part of Morenci’s offensive scheme.
- Kyle Clark (Jr), Round Valley: Clark, who rushed for 794 yards last season, will be key to Round Valley’s offensive success.
- Conner Lueker (Sr), Round Valley: Lueker is making the shift from WR to QB in the Elks’ offense.
Morenci will be eager to bounce back from their narrow loss, while Round Valley looks to start their season strong on the road. This game will test Morenci’s resilience and Round Valley’s ability to adapt to key roster changes.
Fort Thomas Apaches (1-0) vs. Duncan Wildcats (0-1)
Game Date: Friday, August 30th, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Fort Thomas High School
The Fort Thomas Apaches are coming off a strong start to their season, with a 36-20 victory over Baboquivari in their opener. This Friday, they will not only be looking to secure their second win but also to honor longtime football coach Wil Hinton. A special ribbon-cutting and field naming ceremony will take place before the game, dedicating the Apaches’ new turf field in his name—a fitting tribute to his impact on the program.
Duncan, on the other hand, enters the game after a high-scoring but tough loss to Lordsburg, NM, with a final score of 98-66. In the fast-paced world of 8-man football, both teams will be looking to leverage their speed and scoring abilities. Duncan’s offense showed it can put up points, but their defense will need to tighten up to contend with Fort Thomas.
Key Storylines:
- Field Naming Ceremony: The Apaches will celebrate the naming of their new turf field after Coach Wil Hinton, adding an emotional boost to their game.
- Fort Thomas’ Strong Start: After their 36-20 win, Fort Thomas will look to keep their momentum going in front of their home crowd.
- Duncan’s Offensive Firepower: Despite their loss, Duncan’s 66 points against Lordsburg show that they can be a threat on offense. They’ll need to match that with a better defensive effort to have a chance against Fort Thomas.
What to Watch:
- Fort Thomas Apaches: With their balanced attack and solid defense, the Apaches will be looking to put on another strong performance, especially with the home crowd and the special occasion.
- Duncan Wildcats: Duncan’s high-scoring offense will be their key to staying competitive. However, their defense will need to step up after allowing 98 points in their opener.
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