SAFFORD, Ariz. – Since 1937, the Safford Bulldogs and Thatcher Eagles have battled in one of Arizona’s most intense high school football rivalries. Spanning nearly a century, the rivalry has been shaped by eras of dominance, leadership from the sidelines, and a break due to significant size differences between the schools. With 70 meetings, Safford holds a narrow advantage, 35-30, with five games ending in ties. However, the true story of this rivalry goes far beyond the scorelines, defined by coaching legacies and shifts in competitive balance.
The Traveling Trophy: From Curved Axe to Modern Tradition
For many years, the Safford Bulldogs and Thatcher Eagles competed for a unique prize: a curved axe embedded in a log, with game scores engraved on bronze plaques that dangled from the handle. This traveling trophy was a symbol of the intensity and pride both teams took in their cross-valley rivalry. However, that trophy disappeared long ago, leaving its legacy in the history books.
In 2017, the rivalry gained a new trophy, thanks to a collaboration between Open Loop Energy and a meeting between Open Loop GM Chase Fite and KATO Sports broadcaster Lee Patterson. The new trophy is sleek and modern, shaped like a football with metal engravings of both schools’ mascots—the Thatcher eagle and the Safford bulldog—facing each other. The trophy, crafted from polished metal, stands on a curved base with the names “Thatcher” and “Safford” prominently displayed on either side. The finish gives the trophy a striking and contemporary look, representing the spirit of competition between the two schools.
This updated trophy has quickly become a cherished prize, with both teams vying each year to claim it. It not only reflects the modern era of the rivalry but also continues the tradition of playing for something tangible, a symbol of the pride and history shared between Safford and Thatcher.
Early Dominance: Safford Sets the Pace
From the rivalry’s beginnings through the early 1960s, Safford dominated the series. Winning 19 games to Thatcher’s 7, the Bulldogs were led by coaches like Bill Giezel (1936-1942) and Sim Trow (1943-1946), who oversaw landmark victories, including a 65-0 blowout in 1946 and a 51-0 win in 1954. Gov Aker (1947-1956) continued Safford’s dominance, leading the Bulldogs to consistent victories as Thatcher struggled to keep pace.
Meanwhile, Thatcher’s program saw brief successes, including its first win in 1942, a 17-7 triumph under Bill McIntyre (1942-1943). Thatcher’s early years featured competitive efforts but were largely overshadowed by Safford’s powerhouse teams.
The Hiatus: A Pause in the Rivalry (1962-1986)
A significant reason for the long pause in the rivalry from 1962 to 1986 was the vast difference in school sizes. During these years, Safford grew into a much larger school, while Thatcher remained one of the smallest programs in the area. In fact, neighboring schools like Duncan and Clifton were larger than Thatcher at the time, making a Safford-Thatcher matchup less competitive.
This size disparity meant that Safford and Thatcher simply did not face each other on the field, and the rivalry entered a 25-year hiatus. The two teams wouldn’t meet again until 1987.
Thatcher’s Modern-Day Resurgence
Since the rivalry resumed in 1987, the landscape has changed dramatically. While Safford remained strong through the late 1980s and 1990s, Thatcher began to emerge as a dominant force in the 2000s. A key turning point came during Don Conrad’s (2000-2012) tenure, when Thatcher posted several dominant wins, including a 54-0 victory over Safford in 2001. Conrad’s leadership transformed the Eagles into a powerhouse, setting the stage for future success.
Today, under head coach Dan Jones (2020-present), Thatcher continues to thrive. Jones has led the Eagles to five consecutive victories over Safford, including a commanding 55-0 win in 2021. Thatcher’s most recent victory, a 35-14 triumph in 2023, continues their streak of dominance in the rivalry.
Key Coaching Figures: Shaping the Rivalry
Both Safford and Thatcher’s coaching legacies have played pivotal roles in the development of this rivalry. For Safford, coaches like Dick Pottle (1968-1984) and Ken Guzik (1985-2001) kept the Bulldogs competitive through some of the most challenging years in the rivalry. Guzik, in particular, helped Safford navigate the tough matchups of the 1990s as Thatcher’s program began to rise.
On the Thatcher side, Ed Shamey (1974-1977, 1983-1984, 1988-1995) is a key figure. Shamey’s leadership spanned multiple tenures, and he was instrumental in building the foundation of Thatcher’s competitive spirit during both the 1970s and 1990s. His time with the program laid the groundwork for the Eagles’ later success, including key wins in 1993 and 1995.
Following Shamey, Jim Hughes (1996-1999) and later Don Conrad cemented Thatcher’s rise in the rivalry. Conrad’s long tenure marked a period of sustained success for Thatcher, which continued through the 2000s. Today, Dan Jones has taken the Eagles to new heights, with Thatcher winning the last eight matchups.
A Rivalry Defined by Close Games and Blowouts
Throughout the rivalry’s history, fans have witnessed both thrilling close games and overwhelming blowouts. In 1939, Safford edged Thatcher 14-13 in one of the rivalry’s earliest nail-biters. More recently, in 2017, Thatcher claimed a 42-41 victory in one of the most memorable contests of the modern era.
The rivalry has also seen its fair share of lopsided results. In addition to Safford’s 65-0 win in 1946, Thatcher has enjoyed dominant victories of their own, including a 55-0 shutout in 2021, one of the biggest wins in the rivalry’s recent history.
Looking Ahead: The Rivalry Continues
As the rivalry enters its 87th year and 72nd game, both schools continue to carry the pride of their communities. Though Thatcher holds the upper hand for now, the Bulldogs are determined to restore their winning ways, ensuring that the Safford vs. Thatcher rivalry remains one of Arizona’s most compelling high school football matchups.