The Coaches for Charity Kickoff Classic welcomed teams from Flowing Wells, Canyon del Oro, Buena, Catalina Foothills, Pusch Ridge, Rio Rico, Tucson High and Maryvale. Former University of Arizona standout Julius Holt was recognized by the non-profit organization and he gave a very meaningful speech to the athletes and coaches present:

STORY & SPEECH HERE

 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22

 

Flowing Wells at Canyon del Oro

Canyon del Oro holds a 21-15 advantage over Flowing Wells dating back to 1966 and that includes a current win streak of 7-1 dating back to 2004 but the Caballeros came up with a huge 38-37 win to open up the season last year and that game changed the fate of both teams.

The Dorados finished the regular season with a 7-3 record, ranked No. 10 in 4A Conference, and Flowing Wells finished 8-2 with a No. 11 ranking in the 5A Conference. The victory over CDO kept the team nearly perfect heading into the 5A playoffs and it kept the Caballeros ranked far ahead of 5A Sonoran rivals Mountain View Marana.

Mountain View finished 5-5 on the year, including a 42-16 win over Flowing Wells to win the region, but the region champion does not earn an automatic playoff berth in the 6A and 5A Conferences. The Mountain Lions finished with a No. 20 ranking but the team could not overcome an 0-5 start.

Meanwhile, the loss to Flowing Wells might have kept the Dorados from a top eight ranking which meant the team would have hosted a first round game and avoided playing at powerhouse Cactus.

It all came down to a lack of a kicking game for the Dorados and the team missed on five extra-point chances in the loss.

 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23

 

Maryvale at Tucson (Region)

Tucson leads the series 1-0 thanks to a 63-6 victory over the Panthers last year. The Badgers finished 6-4 last year with a No. 20 ranking. There should be enough 6A teams in the Open Championship to leave a void in the 6A playoffs which means every game is even more important for the Badgers.

(Tucson head coach Justin Argraves/Andy Morales/AZPreps365.com)

 

Sunnyside at Campo Verde

Campo Verde holds a 1-0 record over Sunnyside thanks to a 37-0 victory last year. The Blue Devils finished 5-5 last year with a No. 22 ranking. A 6-4 finish might be enough to get into the playoffs with several 5A teams moving into the Open Championship.

 

Nogales at Cholla

Nogales holds a 16-9 record over Cholla dating back to 1970 including eight wins in a row since 2005. Nogales finished 2-8 last year and Cholla came in at 1-9.

 

Mountain View at Ironwood Ridge

Ironwood Ridge holds a 10-2 record over Mountain View dating back to 2007. The Mountain Lions won in 2013 and 2017. A big clash with Matt Johnson moving over to Mountain View after serving the last ten years at Ironwood Ridge. Both teams will be battling for a higher playoff spot with the possibility of several 5A teams moving out to the Open Championship.

 

Horizon at Marana

Marana holds a 1-0 record over Horizon thanks to a 42-36 win last year. The Tigers finished 7-3 last year and the Huskies were 6-4 heading in to the 5A playoffs. A big game that could decide which team will host a first round game last year. Perhaps both.

 

Sierra Linda at Rincon/UHS

Sierra Linda holds a 1-0 record over Rincon/UHS thanks to a 27-19 win last year. Both teams finished 1-9 last year.

 

Buena at Catalina Foothills

Buena holds a 2-1 record over Catalina Foothills since 1995 but the two teams did not play from 1997 to last year when the Falcons pulled out a 28-17 win. Former Colt, Darius Kelly, takes over for Jeff Scurran at Catalina Foothills. Buena finished 5-5 last year and Catalina Foothills came in at 4-6.

(Buena coach Joe Thomas & first-year Catalina Foothills coach Darius Kelly/Andy Morales/AZPreps365.com)

 

Buckeye at Amphitheater

Buckeye holds a 1-0 record over Amphitheater thanks to a 51-7 win over the Panthers last year. The Hawks finished 3-7 last year and Amphitheater was 4-6 in the 4A Conference.

 

Palo Verde at Casa Grande

Casa Grande holds a 4-0 record on Palo Verde dating back to 1993 including a 49-0 win last year. The Cougars finished 5-5 last year and the Titans were 2-8.

 

Tanque Verde at Douglas

Tanque Verde holds a 1-0 lead on Douglas thanks to a forfeit from last year. The Bulldogs beat Tanque Verde 55-6 last year but the team had to forfeit six games last year. Douglas finished 2-8 and Tanque Verde was 3-8.

 

Rio Rico at Pusch Ridge

Pusch Ridges holds a 2-1 record over Rio Rico dating back to 2011. Rio Rico finished 1-9 and Pusch Ridge came in at 5-5. A difficult schedule for Pusch Ridge means win when you can.

(Pusch Ridge coach Jerrry Harris & Rio Rico coach Kevin Kuhm/Andy Morales/AZPreps365.com)

 

Sahuaro at Vista Grande (Region)

Sahuaro holds a 3-0 record over Vista Grande dating back to 2013 including a 56-13 win last year. The Cougars finished 8-2 last year and ranked No. 5 in the 4A Conference while Rio Rico finished 2-8. Can the Cougars continue their hot streak after moving into the 4A Conference? The team starts out with a region game.

 

Sahuarita at Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz holds a 19-11 record over Sahuarita dating back to 1974 but the Mustangs have won the last four dating back to 2004. The Mustangs started out 4-1 last year but a 2-3 finish kept the team out of the playoffs. The Dust Devils finished 4-6 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

 

Willcox/Bowie at Lordsburg (NM)

Lordsburg holds an 11-6 record over Willcox dating back to 1959. Willcox finished 7-3 and made the playoffs for the second year in a row.

 

Yuma Catholic at San Manuel

Yuma Catholic holds a 4-0 record over San Manuel dating back to 2007. The first three wins over the Miners came in the state playoffs in 2007, 2009 and 2011. The Shamrocks finished 8-2 last year and a No. 2 ranking in the 3A Conference while San Manuel went 4-6 in the 2A Conference.

 

Fort Thomas at Baboquivari (Region)

Fort Thomas holds a 2-1 record over Baboquivari dating back to 2015. Fort Thomas finished 6-2 last year and Baboquivari was 2-6.

 

Mayer at St. David

Mayer holds a 6-4 record over St. David dating back to 1988. Mayer finished 1-7 and St. David was 5-4.

 

Valley Union at Cibecue

The first meeting between the two teams. Valley Union was 2-6 last year and Cibecue was 1-3 (JV). The Wildcats didn’t have a varsity program from 2012 to this year.

 

BYES (11)
Cienega

Desert View

Empire

Pueblo

Salpointe

Walden Grove

Catalina

Sabino

Benson

Bisbee

Santa Rita

Tombstone