It’s only Week 2, but rivalries, redemption games, and early-season statements are already on the line for Gila Valley football teams. Here’s a look at this week’s matchups:
Thatcher at Apache Junction
The Eagles opened the season with a 41–29 win over ALA–Ironwood, fueled by senior quarterback Chad Johnson’s career-high 211 passing yards and five total touchdowns. Johnson was nearly perfect, completing 75% of his throws, and also added 53 yards and two scores on the ground. Defensively, Ryan Jones came up with two interceptions to seal it.
Apache Junction, meanwhile, struggled in a 48–7 loss to San Tan Charter, giving up 273 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Thatcher head coach Dan Jones says his group is still learning: “It was a good opener for us. We learned a lot about a pretty unproven squad, a lot of new faces. We found some areas to improve and are fixing those things. AJ came down from 4A this year. They haven’t been on my radar, so I don’t know much about them. We are planning to go in guns blazing and see where that puts us.”
This will be the first meeting between these schools since 1975.
Kickoff is set for Thursday at 7 p.m. on KATO 1230 AM and streaming at gilavalleycentral.net/kato-sports-broadcasts.
Blue Ridge at Safford
Safford dropped a tough 20–14 rivalry game at Morenci in Week 1. The Bulldogs clawed back late but couldn’t overcome three Morenci rushing touchdowns.
Blue Ridge, meanwhile, looked sharp in a 42–0 shutout of Chinle, piling up 326 yards of offense. Running back Karlo Harris rushed for 139 yards and a touchdown, while Breckan Sarchet scored four times, including a kick return and a receiving touchdown.
There’s a coaching connection here: Blue Ridge head coach Eric Hjalmarson is a former Safford head coach, adding some intrigue to the matchup.
Safford head coach Ishmael MacNeil knows his team must respond: “Last week we made lots of mistakes on both sides of the ball. We are playing a similar style offense this week, so we will need our D-line to step up and play better. Offensively we need to get our QB into a better groove early. Blue Ridge is a great team and we are looking forward to the challenge in front of our home fans.”
Kickoff is set for Friday at 7 p.m. on KATO 1230 AM and streaming at gilavalleycentral.net/kato-sports-broadcasts.
Pima vs. Tuba City (at Round Valley Dome)
Pima (0-1) was originally scheduled to face Tombstone, but after the Yellow Jackets canceled their season on Wednesday, the Roughriders will now take on Tuba City (1-0) in a neutral-site game at the Round Valley Dome on Friday night.
The Roughriders are looking to regroup after a 33-6 loss at Scottsdale Christian. Sophomore quarterback Ryett McBiles threw for 111 yards in his first varsity start, showing flashes despite only three days of practice before the game. Senior Rooster Alder and Keegan Corona were steady contributors, while Joe Palmer scored Pima’s lone touchdown.
Head coach Josh Wilkins said: “It was definitely a learning experience. [It] has refocused us early in the season [and] has added some intensity to our practices. I’ve got to hand it to Ryett — with only three days of practice before that game he settled in and became very serviceable. We are excited to regroup this week vs. Tuba City. We learned SCA is good, I don’t feel that we were that bad.”
Tuba City, originally scheduled to face Greyhills Academy, opened its year with a 38-8 win over Gallup, N.M., last week.
Both teams enter Week 2 looking to build momentum in a unique atmosphere under the Dome lights.
Tanque Verde at Morenci
Morenci opened the year with a hard-fought 20–14 win over Safford, powered by Julien Aragon’s 128 rushing yards and a touchdown and Derick Lytle’s 118 total yards and a score. The Wildcats pounded out 303 rushing yards but were flagged for over 100 yards in penalties.
Tanque Verde fell 41–7 to Phoenix Christian, managing just 93 total yards of offense while allowing more than 360 rushing yards.
Morenci head coach Frankie Gonzalez wants sharper execution: “It was great to open up with a win in a rivalry game. The boys came out focused and well prepared. We have to clean up the penalties if we want to play football in November. TV is well coached with great athletes. We have to be able to shut down the run and the play action game. It will be a physical game with both teams running the Wing T.”
Duncan at Fort Thomas
One of Arizona’s oldest rivalries is renewed this week. Duncan and Fort Thomas first met in 1937, but didn’t play again for more than 60 years until 2003. Since then, the matchup has become a regular fixture, with Duncan leading the series 13–11.
Fort Thomas opened with a 33–0 shutout of Baboquivari, while Duncan fell 58–16 to Lordsburg (NM).
Fort Thomas head coach Evan Stringfellow liked what he saw but knows the Apaches can be better: “Last week’s game was a good way to start the season. We identified our weaknesses and are making those adjustments for this week.”
Willcox at Arizona Lutheran
Willcox (1-0) opened its season in dominant fashion, rolling past Palo Verde 49-0. The Cowboys piled up 315 rushing yards with sophomore Asher Ward (111 yards, 2 TDs), senior Ismael Cuevas (80 yards, 2 TDs), and junior Kaleb Cooke (99 yards, 2 TDs) leading the way.
Arizona Lutheran (1-0) was just as impressive in its opener, blasting Chino Valley 58-6. The Coyotes got a huge night from Sebi Guye, who ran for 103 yards and scored on both offense and defense, while Eric Urbieta added 140 all-purpose yards and three TDs.
Both teams are riding high after lopsided wins, but something has to give Friday night when Willcox’s ground-and-pound attack meets ALA’s explosive playmakers.
