With Arizona high school football season in full swing, the Star shares our weekly look back at the best of last week while charging ahead toward what we might be able to expect from programs across Tucson and surrounding communities this Friday night.
Team of the week
Nogales not only snapped its 20-game losing streak, it did so with a dominant win.
Last week, the Apaches opened the season with a 29-6 victory over Amphitheater. Last year, the Panthers went 5-5 while Nogales went 0-10 in both 2023 and 2024.
Nogales’ last win was 42-21 over Cholla on Nov. 10, 2022.
Players sport their school gear during the Nogales High School football team's practice.
New Nogales head coach Warren Smith moved here from Jacksonville, Fla.
Play of the week
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All Sports Tucson reported that Sierra Vista Buena senior linebackers Cooper Kraus and T.J. Walker brought down Cienega senior quarterback Julian Hainley as the to secure a 38-31 win for the Colts. It is Buena’s first win at Cienega in nine tries. The Colts are 3-13 overall against Cienega, having beaten the Bobcats the last two years.
Stat book
– Palo Verde running back/defensive end Isaac Ndatimana ran for 141 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries in the Titans’ 28-14 win over Florence ALA - Anthem South. Ndatimana also made 14 tackles, caused two fumbles and returned a kickoff 75 yards.
– St. David senior running back/linebacker Chase Pacheco rushed for 123 yards and two scores on four attempts. His longest run was 69 yards.
– Pusch Ridge Christian senior receiver Dominic Painter had 111 yards and a touchdown on four catches in the Lions’ 53-10 win over ALA - Ironwood last week. Senior receiver/corner back Nate Campa had seven catches for 121 yards for Pusch Ridge.
Recruiting trail
Cienega senior receiver/defensive back Jaden Rodgers last week. Rodgers, who also plays basketball and track and field, had nine catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the Bobcats’ loss to Buena on Friday. Rodgers had a 46-yard reception and 15 yards rushing.
Next level
Roebuck
Washington freshman receiver Dezmen Roebuck in his first college game, a 38-21 win over Colorado State. The Marana alumnus had a couple catches, including one for 23 yards.
Don't count Tombstone out
After Tombstone’s game last week against Pima and amid reports its season was over, the Yellowjackets announced they will return this week to play at Benson.
Quoteable
“It was electric. We’ve hosted a playoff game here. We’ve had some big games here, but that was like nothing we’ve ever had here before. I want to have more of that. That was crazy. That was an awesome atmosphere.” — Walden Grove head coach and athletic director Corey Noble said to . Walden Grove and Sahuarita renewed their rivalry before a crowd of nearly 3,000 fans, and extra bleachers were brought out by the Sahuarita Unified School District. Walden Grove beat Sahuarita 36-10.
Games of the week
Mica Mountain (1-0) at Canyon del Oro (1-0)
Location: 25 W. Calle Concordia
Notable: Previously fierce 4A Kino rivals, CDO, now in 5A, and Mica Mountain meet up for a freedom game on Friday at 7 p.m. In 2022, Mica Mountain won the Kino title, but the Dorados went to the state semifinals. In 2023, the Thunderbolts went to the state semifinals but fell twice to CDO, the eventual state champions. Last season, Mica Mountain won the region and 4A title. Both teams opened the season with dominant wins over Central Arizona foes.
Desert View (1-0) at Sahuaro (1-0)
Location: 545 N. Camino Seco
Notable: After each side posted an impressive win in Week 1, these foes face off on Friday at 7 p.m. Desert View won 38-15 at Peoria Sunrise Mountain. Meanwhile, Sahuaro topped Empire, which went 6-4 last year, 41-3 on the road. The Jaguars are looking for their first winning season since 2022, and Sahuaro is looking for its first since 2019. Both teams finished last year with a win though, Desert View over Sunnyside and Sahuaro over Pueblo.
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