
Note: Because of the Jewish holiday, most of this week's high school football games will be played °Õ³ó³Ü°ù²õ»å²¹²âÌý²Ô¾±²µ³ó³Ù.Ìý
By Justin Spears, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
It's officially the second half of the season and Salpointe Catholic-Cienega highlight the schedule as the game of the week. In honor of Yom Kippur, most games will be played on Thursday, but three will be on Friday ²Ô¾±²µ³ó³Ù.Ìý
Winners are in ALL CAPS and Friday games are at bottom of page.Â
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ record:Â 75-17
Note: Because of the Jewish holiday, most of this week's high school football games will be played °Õ³ó³Ü°ù²õ»å²¹²âÌý²Ô¾±²µ³ó³Ù.Ìý
Cienega quarterback Jamarye Joiner, right, helped the Bobcats rout Salpointe 51-14 last season. The teams, both undefeated at 5-0, rematch Thursday at Cienega.
Where: 12775 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way, Vail
Winner: This is not Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s game of the week; it’s the game of the year. In one corner is Cienega's Jamarye Joiner, arguably the greatest quarterback in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ history. In the other corner is Salpointe's Bijan Robinson, arguably Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s best running back since Ka’Deem Carey. Joiner has 823 passing yards and 331 rushing yards along with 23 touchdowns. Robinson only needs 136 yards to break 1,000 rushing yards this season. Both teams' offenses should be well off; this game will go down to which defense can force stops and create plays to give the offense momentum. Cienega’s defense has only allowed nine points per game in the last four contests. Salpointe hasn't beaten Cienega since 2006, when the Lancers had future USC center Kris O’Dowd leading the offensive live. Expect Cienega to win on a last-minute Joiner score. Let’s call it 31-24.  Â
Catalina Foothills' Brandon Tamplin (6) picks up an excessive celebration penalty after he bulled his way into the end zone and tie the score at 12 late in the fourth quarter of their game at Empire High School, Friday, September 15, 2017, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
Where: 4300 E. Sunrise Drive
Winner: Both teams enter this week coming off losses, but the Dorados hope to put their 35-point loss to Marana behind them. CDO running back Elijah Carey needs 38 yards to reach over 1,000 yards rushing on the season, so expect him to perform well. Catalina Foothills' two biggest tests this season came against Scottsdale Saguaro and Pusch Ridge Christian, and both result in losses. Expect CDO to bounce back and win, 27-10.Â
Sabino's Isaiah Smotherman (20) scoots into the end zone untouched after catching a short out pass against Sahuaro in the first quarter of their game at Sahuaro High School, Friday, August 25, 2017, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
Where: 5000 N. Bowes Road
Winner: If it weren’t for the Salpointe Catholic-Cienega game, this might be the matchup of the week. This game will go one of two ways: Either Sabino cruises by the Trojans or it’s going to come down to the fourth quarter. Option No. 1 seems more likely. Sabercats win 37-14.Â
Jaguar Stadium is the home of the Desert View High School Jaguars Football Team in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, AZ. Photo taken Tuesday, July 21, 2015. Photo by Ron Medvescek / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
Where: 4101 E. Valencia Road
Winner: If there’s one thing Cholla does well, it’s putting points on the board. The Chargers are averaging 40 points per game this season and it’s mainly from quarterback Jordan Porter, who enters this week with 1,841 passing yards and 1,033 rushing yards. Expect the Chargers to take this one, 49-20.Â
The Titans logo graces the track around Palo Verde High School's football field in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, AZ. Photo taken Wednesday, August 5, 2015. Photo by Ron Medvescek / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
Where: 1302 S. Avenida Vega
Winner: The Titans haven’t won a home game all season and haven’t won in general since Week 1. Douglas dropped a couple close games this season, but another road game especially one two hours up the road is tough for a struggling team. Titans win their first game at home, 20-7.Â
Marana’s Trenton Bourguet (5) fires a pass during the fourth quarter of the Cienega vs. Marana high school football game on Aug. 25, 2017, at Marana High School, 12000 W Emigh Road, in Marana, Ariz. Cienega won the offensive slugfest 57-50.
Where: 12000 W. Emigh Road, Marana
Winner: The Tigers are hitting their stride at the perfect time. Junior quarterback Trenton Bourget has 1,566 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. The Tigers should have no problem against the Caballeros. Expect a 56-7 win.Â
Mountain View's Weston Aguilar (12) holds a finger in the air as he trots in unscathed for a score on a short punt return during the second quarter.
Where: 3901 W. Linda Vista Blvd., Marana
Winner: This has game-of-the-week written all over it. Who will win between Mountain View’s defensive front-seven and Ironwood Ridge’s run attack? Good question. Senior running back Nick Brahler is averaging 168.5 yards per game and is a bruiser in the red zone with nine touchdowns. Mountain View will compete because it’s a home game, but the Nighthawks should win this one. Call it 30-14.Â
Pueblo High School’s football stadium, built around 1960, hasn’t changed much since its construction. An open-air press box, new lockers and fresh paint are among the upgrades.
Where: 3500 S. 12th Ave.
Winner: Pueblo has dropped its last two games, but both were on the road. The Warriors return home this week and are in dire need to get the offense back on track. Pueblo put 66 points on Cholla, but scored just eight points in two weeks. Expect Pueblo to cook at home against a struggling Rio Rico team. Call it 42-14.Â
Santa Rita fans can enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the Santa Catalina and the Rincon Mountains.
Where: 3951 S. Pantano Road
Winner: This one will be a low scoring game, but since Tanque Verde’s offense has scored more points this season than Santa Rita, the Hawks should be good enough to win on the road. Let’s call it 14-0.Â
Sahuaro's Kobi Bell (9) jukes his way out of the grip of Sabino's Francisco Oviedo (50) in the second quarter of their game at Sahuaro High School, Friday, August 25, 2017, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
Where: 545 N. Camino Seco
Winner: Buena is the better team, but Sahuaro has won its last two games. Buena’s toughest opponent so far this season was ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ High in Week 1, and the Colts lost that game. There's something we like about the Cougars returning home with confidence. Sahuaro takes this one, 30-24. Â
Friday night will feature three games and the better matchup of the day is just actually just up the road and a few minutes away from Cienega. Pusch Ridge Christian travels to Empire for a 3A clash.Â
Empire's Elijah Harris (12) squirms around the block of teammate Jacob Magnusson (66) for a gain against Catalina Foothills in the third quarter of their game at Empire High School, Friday, September 15, 2017, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
Where: 10701 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way, Vail
Winner: The last time the Ravens were at home, they took Catalina Foothills down to the wire in overtime. Pusch Ridge is better than Foothills. Pusch Ridge has momentum, therefore it should result in another win. Lions win on the road, 24-14.Â
The Walden Grove student section gets fired up just before the start of their crosstown rivalry game against Sahuarita in 2015. Kelly Presnell / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
Where: 15510 S. Sahuarita Park Road, Sahuarita
Winner: The Red Wolves have been one the most surprising teams this season, and the run game has been their biggest strength. Walden Grove has over twice as many yards rushing than passing and quarterback Nick Flores is the leader in both categories. Walden Grove wins this one, 38-0.Â
The home stands at Sahuarita High School overlooking the Burton Tingle Field, Tuesday, July 28, 2015, Sahuarita , Ariz. Kelly Presnell / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
Where: 350 W Sahuarita Road, Sahuarita
Winner: The Mustangs have dropped their last two games, but should regain confidence playing at home against a struggling Amphitheater team. The Panthers have scored eight total points in five games and Sahuarita hasn’t been shut out since the first game of the season. The Mustangs should win this one, 24-7.Â
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