High school football rolls into Week 2 with rivalries renewed, first-time meetings, and a matchup not seen since 1975. All games kick at 7 p.m., with Thatcher–Apache Junction on Thursday and Blue Ridge–Safford on Friday airing live on KATO 1230AM or streaming worldwide at gilavalleycentral.net/kato-sports-broadcasts.
Thatcher opened its season with a strong 41-29 win over ALA–Ironwood, showing a balanced attack on both sides of the ball. Apache Junction had a rough start, falling to San Tan Charter 48-7. The two schools haven’t met since 1975, with Thatcher leading the all-time series 5-2 dating back to 1963. The Eagles carry momentum into this long-awaited renewal of an old matchup.
On Friday, Blue Ridge comes to Safford after a statement win over Chinle, 42-0. The Yellow Jackets have controlled the series, leading 6-2 overall, while Safford last beat them in 2021. The Bulldogs fought hard in Week 1 but fell 20-14 to Morenci, and they’ll be looking to bounce back quickly in front of the home crowd.
Pima is also searching for its first win after dropping its opener to Scottsdale Christian 33-6. Tombstone enters 0-1 as well after losing 28-7 to Miami. The Roughriders have history on their side, leading the series 21-11 and not losing to the Yellow Jackets since 2009, a streak that now sits at six straight wins.
One of the oldest rivalries in the Gila Valley returns as Duncan meets Fort Thomas. The schools first squared off in 1937 and didn’t face each other between 1939 and 2002, but the series remains close, with Duncan leading 13-11. The Wildcats struggled in Week 1 with a 58-16 loss to Lordsburg, NM, while Fort Thomas looked sharp in a 38-0 shutout of Baboquivari.
San Carlos and Lincoln Prep will meet for the first time on Friday. For Lincoln Prep, it’s also the program’s first season playing 11-man football. San Carlos opened strong with a 42-8 win over St. John Paul II, while Lincoln Prep fell 20-12 to Highland Prep West. Both teams have plenty to prove in this new matchup.
Morenci will host Tanque Verde in a series the Wildcats have dominated since it began in 2011. Morenci has won all six meetings, including shutouts in the last two. The Wildcats opened the season with a hard-fought 20-14 win over Safford, while Tanque Verde comes in off a lopsided 47-7 loss to Phoenix Christian. The Hawks will need a major turnaround to challenge one of the most consistent programs in the region.
Week 2 brings everything from century-old rivalries to first-ever showdowns, with plenty on the line across the Gila Valley. Whether you’re in the stands or tuned in on KATO 1230AM, Friday nights under the lights are here again.
