Thatcher vs. Sabino highlights local football matchups

This week’s theme of local high school football matchups is “first meeting ever.” Four of the 5 local games feature teams playing for the first time ever.

Sabino (2-1) at Thatcher (3-0)

Last week Thatcher eked out a 14-0 win over Pima in what head coach Dan Jones called an “ugly win”. It’s no secret that they will have to play much better this week against perennial power Sabino. Thatcher will need to established some resemblance of a run game to open up their passing game down the field.

The Sabercats lost last week at the hands of ALA-Gilbert in a shootout. Sabino features Sophomore QB Cameron Hackworth. He leads the team in passing (723) and rushing (212) in their three games.

Thatcher and Sabino fare two of the winningest programs over the last 30 years. Since 1990 Sabino has won 299 games, Thatcher 286 and 15 total state championship game appearances in that time between the two.

This will be the first ever meeting between Sabino and Thatcher.

You can hear the game locally on KATO 1230 AM or online anywhere here.

Douglas (1-0) at Safford (3-0)

For the second week in a row Safford will take on a 4A team. Last week the Bulldogs beat Empire 28-6 for their third straight win. Running back Christian Smith has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the teams three games.

Douglas comes in to tonight’s game on a high after beating Bisbee last week 24-21 to regain the Copper Pick. The two teams first played in 1906.

Douglas leads the overall series 24-12. Safford won the last meeting in 2012.

Madison Highland (1-2) at Morenci (2-1)

Morenci rebounded nicely last week with a 50-0 win over Globe. Running back Michael Casillas has 168 yards rushing on just 7 carries and three scores in limited action.

The Madison Highland Heat are in their first year as an AIA school They beat San Pasqual to open their season but have dropped their last two in convincing fashion.

This is the first meeting between the two schools.

Pima (2-1) at Santa Rita (0-2)

Pima left everything on the field last Friday night in a 14-0 loss to Thatcher. The ‘Riders outplayed the Eagles on defense and special teams but could never get anything going offensively. They will have a chance to get back on track in Tucson against another Eagle squad tonight.

Santa Rita hired Arizona coaching legend Tom Joseph to lead the team this season. He has won 170 wins in his career, which is the active leader.

This is the first ever meeting between the two teams.

Fort Thomas (1-2) at Fredonia (0-2) at Williams High School

These two teams are about as far apart as you can get in the state of Arizona. 426 miles are between the two schools so the game will be played at Williams High school at 4pm instead.

Fort Thomas dropped their first game back from their Covid quarantine to Baboquivari 24-12.

Fredonia has scored just 8 points in their two games this season.

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