So, the first week of high school football is in the books. Let’s take a look at what the results mean for Southern Arizona teams:

As was expected, Division I power No. 3 Chandler Hamilton (1-0) came to Oro Valley and defeated D-II No. 8 Ironwood Ridge 44-7. Matt Johnson is one of the few coaches in Tucson who even dares to take on a Phoenix power and he does it almost every year. This game might have been closer had it taken place last year but the Nighthawks will grow from this.

Ironwood Ridge (0-1) will host D-II No. 10 Mesa Westwood next week in another Freedom game. It will be a chance to get back on track. It will be the first game of the season for the Warriors.

D-II No. 5 Salpointe Catholic (0-1) lost 14-7 in overtime to D-II Gilbert Campo Verde (1-0). The Lancers also lost the services of starting QB Roman Arvayo to a thumb injury. Would be all-purpose standout Jamarye Joiner is not with the team this year so Dennis Bene will have to find a new QB quickly, that’s how he found Joiner last year.

The Lancer defense held up against Campo Verde and it will get tested again when the team travels to play D-IV No. 4 Sahuarita (0-1) next week. The Mustangs came within one field goal of knocking off D-II Sahuaro on Thursday. This game is suddenly a must-win for Salpointe.

D-III Sabino (1-0) easily defeated D-III Glendale Copper Canyon 52-6 at home. This sets up the annual rivalry game between Sabino and Sahuaro. The Cougar’s near miss at Sahuarita will surely make this one a wildcat showdown with the Sabercats.

D-III Marana (1-0) took out D-IV Rio Rico (0-1). The 63-11 win is tempered by the cross-division status but a win is a win and teams have had to historically get to eight to secure a playoff spot. A true test will take place in two weeks when the Tigers will travel to D-IV power, No. 9 Pueblo (0-0). The Warriors were one win shy of a playoff spot last year.

D-IV No. 2 Snowflake defeated D-IV Amphitheater 40-0.  There will be no rest for the Panthers next week because they will travel to D-IV power, No. 6 Coolidge (0-0). Amphi needs to regroup fast.

D-III Nogales traveled to Phoenix and defeated D-iii Shadow Mountain 31-18. It was a huge win for the Apaches and they will try to build on it when they host D-II Sierra Vista Buena (0-0) next week.

D-V Tanque Verde (1-0) beat D-V San Carlos 20-0. The Hawks will host D-V ASU Prep Academy (0-0) next week. A 2-0 season will surely turn some heads.

D-III No. 5 Catalina Foothills (0-1) traveled to D-III No. 1 Goodyear Desert Edge (1-0) and came up on the losing end of a 41-7 loss. It was a tough opening week game for the Falcons. Another huge test comes with Pueblo visiting next week.

D-III Desert View (1-0) defeated D-III Phoenix Sierra Linda 36-21. The Jaguars will visit D-IV Catalina (0-0) next week. This will be a good test for both teams.

D-III Rincon/University (0-1) fell to D-III No. Phoenix Paradise Valley 75-0. D-IV Cholla (0-0) will host Rincon in two weeks.

 

Other scores from Southern Arizona

D-VI No. 8 St. David beat Salome 24-6.

Willcox lost to Miami 68-6.

Safford lost to Seton Catholic 28-14.

Baboquivari lost to Chandler Prep 72-8.