Friday night's high school football matchups, locations and predictions
- Updated
High school football is in full swing Friday.ÌýHere's a game-by-game preview with locations and predictions.
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
- Updated
High school football season kicks off Thursday with a matchup between the Nogales Apaches and Sunnyside Blue Devils. Here's a game-by-game preview of the season's opening weekend. All games kick off at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. All records (0-0) reflect last year's final standings. The Star's picks to win each game are in ALL CAPS.Ìý
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
- Updated
Matchup:ÌýPhoenix St. Mary’s (4-7) at SALPOINTE CATHOLIC (10-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 1545 E. Copper St.
Salpointe opened the 2016 season in Phoenix with a 20-12 win to spoil Knights coach Tommy Brittain’s debut. The Lancers return Washington commit and offensive tackle Matteo Mele as well as sophomore running back Bijan Robinson-McCloud, who holds offers from ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥, ASU, Washington and Utah. Returning players contribute to a winning recipe for Salpointe on Friday. It may not be a cakewalk, but Salpointe wins, 30-17.
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
- Updated
Matchup:ÌýSCOTTSDALE SAGUARO (14-0) at Catalina Foothills (11-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 4300 E. Sunrise Dr.Ìý
The Falcons will play their first game without four-year starting quarterback Rhett Rodriguez, who threw for 2,996 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2016. Foothills head coach Jeff Scurran will be in search of a new leader on offense, which won’t be easy considering Saguaro hasn’t lost a game since Sept. 4, 2015 and beat the Falcons 52-14 in last year's Class 4A state championship game. The Sabercats beat the Falcons, 52-14.
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
- Updated
Matchup: TUCSON HIGH (6-5) at Siera Vista Buena (0-10)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 5225 E. Buena School Blvd., Sierra Vista
The Badgers annihilated the Colts 61-2 a year ago, and should have more success Friday. Tucson High running back Daniel Salomon averaged 18 yards per carry against the Colts last year. Buena will keep it closer than last year, but Tucson gets the win, 49-7.
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
- Updated
Matchup:ÌýIRONWOOD RIDGE (9-3) at Marana (9-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 12000 W. Emigh Rd., Marana
When the Nighthawks and Tigers met last season, it was a tale of two offenses: Marana’s aerial attack went for four touchdowns, but the run-heavy Ridge won 62-42. IRHS returns running backs Nick Brahler and Nathan Grijalva. Brahler scored a touchdown in 10 of 12 games in 2016 and was the only player on the team to rush for more than 1,000 yards. Expect the Nighthawks to start off the season in the winner’s column with a 38-10 win.
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
- Updated
Matchup:ÌýPUEBLO (6-4) at Rincon/University (3-7)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 421 N. Arcadia Ave.Ìý
Junior running back Ruben Rivera IV is Pueblo’s is coming off a season with 1,234 yards and 11 touchdowns. Expect the Warriors to take care of business on the road, winning 33-0.
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
- Updated
Matchup: Cholla (1-9) at DOUGLAS (5-5)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 1550 15thÌýSt., Douglas
Penalties — 50 yards of them, to be exact — hurt the Chargers in last year's contest against Douglas. Chris Galaz returns to DHS for his senior campaign. In 2016, he contributed 22 all-purpose touchdowns. Expect the Bulldogs to cook at home, 42-18.
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
- Updated
Matchup:ÌýSABINO (12-2) at Casa Grande (6-4)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 2730 N. Trekell Rd., Casa Grande
Things are new at Sabino now that quarterback Drew Dixon moved on to the UA and coach Jay Campos moved into an administrative role. Friday's matchup against Casa Grande, which just missed out on the playoffs after a 6-4 season, may be one of the most underrated matchups in Southern ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥. If Sabino QB Alex Bell can remain calm in the fourth quarter, the Sabercats will win. Let's call it 27-21.Ìý
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
- Updated
Matchup: Santa Rita (1-9) at FLORENCE (10-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 1000 S. Main St., Florence
The Gophers came to Tucson last season to give the Eagles a 60-0 thumping, so expect the same results this time around. Florence QB Jared Wood completed 4 of 6 passes for 46 yards and three touchdowns. Florence’s run game also contributed five touchdowns. The Gophers only lost one weapon on offense, so a more seasoned core mixed in with playing at home is worth an additional 10 points. Expect the Eagles to fall on the road, 70-0.
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
- Updated
Matchup: PALO VERDE (2-9) at Tanque Verde (3-7)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 11150 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
Palo Verde beat Tanque Verde last season without completing a single pass, and the Hawks couldn’t capitalize on their opponent’s mistakes. However, the Titans are riding a seven-game losing streak entering this season, so it might be sloppy on both ends. Palo Verde wins, 14-7.
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
- Updated
Matchup: Nogales (4-6) at SUNNYSIDE (4-6)
When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Where: 1725 E. Bilby Rd., Tucson
Sunnyside is on a mission in its second season under head coach Roy Lopez, who is eight wins away from reaching 100 career victories as a head coach. The Blue Devils lost in Nogales 19-18 last season and Lopez called the game a complete “mess†from weather conditions in which AIA almost postponed the game until the next morning. With Sunnyside opening its season at home, and with motivation from last year's one-point defeat, expect a win. Sunnyside takes this one, 28-14.
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- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
High school football season kicks off Thursday with a matchup between the Nogales Apaches and Sunnyside Blue Devils. Here's a game-by-game preview of the season's opening weekend. All games kick off at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. All records (0-0) reflect last year's final standings. The Star's picks to win each game are in ALL CAPS.Ìý
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
Matchup:ÌýPhoenix St. Mary’s (4-7) at SALPOINTE CATHOLIC (10-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 1545 E. Copper St.
Salpointe opened the 2016 season in Phoenix with a 20-12 win to spoil Knights coach Tommy Brittain’s debut. The Lancers return Washington commit and offensive tackle Matteo Mele as well as sophomore running back Bijan Robinson-McCloud, who holds offers from ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥, ASU, Washington and Utah. Returning players contribute to a winning recipe for Salpointe on Friday. It may not be a cakewalk, but Salpointe wins, 30-17.
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
Matchup:ÌýSCOTTSDALE SAGUARO (14-0) at Catalina Foothills (11-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 4300 E. Sunrise Dr.Ìý
The Falcons will play their first game without four-year starting quarterback Rhett Rodriguez, who threw for 2,996 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2016. Foothills head coach Jeff Scurran will be in search of a new leader on offense, which won’t be easy considering Saguaro hasn’t lost a game since Sept. 4, 2015 and beat the Falcons 52-14 in last year's Class 4A state championship game. The Sabercats beat the Falcons, 52-14.
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
Matchup: TUCSON HIGH (6-5) at Siera Vista Buena (0-10)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 5225 E. Buena School Blvd., Sierra Vista
The Badgers annihilated the Colts 61-2 a year ago, and should have more success Friday. Tucson High running back Daniel Salomon averaged 18 yards per carry against the Colts last year. Buena will keep it closer than last year, but Tucson gets the win, 49-7.
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
Matchup:ÌýIRONWOOD RIDGE (9-3) at Marana (9-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 12000 W. Emigh Rd., Marana
When the Nighthawks and Tigers met last season, it was a tale of two offenses: Marana’s aerial attack went for four touchdowns, but the run-heavy Ridge won 62-42. IRHS returns running backs Nick Brahler and Nathan Grijalva. Brahler scored a touchdown in 10 of 12 games in 2016 and was the only player on the team to rush for more than 1,000 yards. Expect the Nighthawks to start off the season in the winner’s column with a 38-10 win.
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
Matchup:ÌýPUEBLO (6-4) at Rincon/University (3-7)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 421 N. Arcadia Ave.Ìý
Junior running back Ruben Rivera IV is Pueblo’s is coming off a season with 1,234 yards and 11 touchdowns. Expect the Warriors to take care of business on the road, winning 33-0.
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
Matchup: Cholla (1-9) at DOUGLAS (5-5)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 1550 15thÌýSt., Douglas
Penalties — 50 yards of them, to be exact — hurt the Chargers in last year's contest against Douglas. Chris Galaz returns to DHS for his senior campaign. In 2016, he contributed 22 all-purpose touchdowns. Expect the Bulldogs to cook at home, 42-18.
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
Matchup:ÌýSABINO (12-2) at Casa Grande (6-4)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 2730 N. Trekell Rd., Casa Grande
Things are new at Sabino now that quarterback Drew Dixon moved on to the UA and coach Jay Campos moved into an administrative role. Friday's matchup against Casa Grande, which just missed out on the playoffs after a 6-4 season, may be one of the most underrated matchups in Southern ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥. If Sabino QB Alex Bell can remain calm in the fourth quarter, the Sabercats will win. Let's call it 27-21.Ìý
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
Matchup: Santa Rita (1-9) at FLORENCE (10-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 1000 S. Main St., Florence
The Gophers came to Tucson last season to give the Eagles a 60-0 thumping, so expect the same results this time around. Florence QB Jared Wood completed 4 of 6 passes for 46 yards and three touchdowns. Florence’s run game also contributed five touchdowns. The Gophers only lost one weapon on offense, so a more seasoned core mixed in with playing at home is worth an additional 10 points. Expect the Eagles to fall on the road, 70-0.
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
Matchup: PALO VERDE (2-9) at Tanque Verde (3-7)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: 11150 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
Palo Verde beat Tanque Verde last season without completing a single pass, and the Hawks couldn’t capitalize on their opponent’s mistakes. However, the Titans are riding a seven-game losing streak entering this season, so it might be sloppy on both ends. Palo Verde wins, 14-7.
- Justin Spears Special to the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Daily Star
Matchup: Nogales (4-6) at SUNNYSIDE (4-6)
When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Where: 1725 E. Bilby Rd., Tucson
Sunnyside is on a mission in its second season under head coach Roy Lopez, who is eight wins away from reaching 100 career victories as a head coach. The Blue Devils lost in Nogales 19-18 last season and Lopez called the game a complete “mess†from weather conditions in which AIA almost postponed the game until the next morning. With Sunnyside opening its season at home, and with motivation from last year's one-point defeat, expect a win. Sunnyside takes this one, 28-14.
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