Cienega head coach Pat Nugent with Jamarye Joiner (Andy Morales/AZPreps365.com)

 

Thursday, Sept. 28

 

6A CONFERENCE

 

Tucson (2-4) BYE

Sunnyside (1-5) BYE

Rincon/University (2-4) BYE

Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene is a heavy favorite to win the 4A state championship. (Andy Morales/AZPreps365.com)

5A CONFERENCE

 

4A Salpointe (4-0) at CIENEGA (5-0)

Cienega leads the series 3-1 including a 34-31 win in 2015 and a 51-14 victory last year. The Lancers will come with Bijan Robinson (864 yards rushing and 12 TDs) and a defense that has given up only 21 points in five games thanks to the play of standouts such as Chris Aguirre (58 tackles) and Gabe Madril (8 sacks).

University of Arizona commit Jamarye Joiner (823 yards passing and 331 rushing) will be the main attraction along with Robinson but WR Terrell Hayward (456 yards receiving) could be the wildcard.

This game will have absolutely no effect on conference standings but the power points will be huge. The Lancers will have revenge on their minds but that will wear off quickly because it’s hard to mentally play a complete game that way. Expect Cienega to pull one out at home but a Salpointe win makes complete sense also.

 

IRONWOOD RIDGE (4-1) at Mountain View (4-1) Region

The Nighthawks have won the last three meetings but this is just the beginning of a region schedule that has Cienega waiting for both squads along with an always tough Sahuaro program and a resurgent Buena team.

 

CHOLLA (3-3) at Desert View (3-2) Region

This could be the season for both squads right here. A true playoff game.

 

Buena (4-1) at SAHUARO (2-3)

Is Buena for real? Sahuaro has typically played tough in region play.

 

Flowing Wells (1-4) at MARANA (3-2) Region

Marana is looking to run the table. Not sure the Caballeros can stop them.

 

4A CONFERENCE

 

Canyon del Oro (3-2) at Catalina Foothills (4-2) Region

Much like the Ironwood Ridge/Mountain View game, the Dorados and Falcons need a win here with the Lancers and Walden Grove coming up.

 

Rio Rico (1-5) at PUEBLO (3-2) Region

Pueblo could go undefeated in region play.

 

Douglas (0-5) at PALO VERDE (1-5) Region

Look for the Titans to collect a win at home but 1994 was the last time Douglas went an entire season without a win.

 

3A CONFERENCE

 

Catalina (5-1) at SABINO (4-1) Region

No matter what happens here, the Trojans have had a successful year. The winner has the inside on one of the two automatic playoff berths.

 

TANQUE VERDE (0-6) at Santa Rita (0-4) Region

Tanque Verde is much better than their record indicates.

 

Friday, Sept. 29

 

4A CONFERENCE

 

AMPHITHEATER (0-5) at 3A Sahuarita (1-4)

Expect the Panthers pick up their first win.

 

Nogales (2-3) at WALDEN GROVE (4-1) Region

The Red Wolves are trying to prove they are for real but the Apaches can make some noise with a win here with Canyon del Oro, Catalina Foothills and Salpointe controlling the region.

 

3A CONFERENCE

 

PUSCH RIDGE (5-0) at Empire (3-2) Region

The winner here will control the region along with Sabino. Only two teams will get the automatic playoff berth.

 

2A CONFERENCE

 

SAN MANUEL (5-1) at Benson (1-3) Region

Christian Velasquez had nine TDs and 514 yards rushing against Tombstone. He leads the state with 1,486 yards rushing. He could break 2,000 on Friday night.

 

SANTA CRUZ (4-0) at Tombstone (0-5) Region

The Dust Devils keep twisting through. Expect lots of offense.

 

Willcox (2-3) at BISBEE (2-3) Region

Bisbee wins the rivalry game.

 

1A CONFERENCE

 

VALLEY UNION (4-2) at Baboquivari (0-5) Region

The Blue Devils are the best team from Southern Arizona.

 

St. David (1-4) at TRIVIUM PREP (5-1) Region

Down year for St. David.