So here’s what we know…..

No. 1 Salpointe (9-0) clinched the 4A Kino Region with a 42-14 win over No. 19 Catalina Foothills (4-5). The win makes a playoff spot for the Lancers a technicality but the team is obviously playing for a lot more and it’s obvious the program has the weapons to carry them on that journey.

Senior standout Mario Padilla scored three times and junior sensation Bijan Robinson added two more scores to lead the way. Junior safety Lathan Ransom made his presence known again with several hard hits and his speed on special teams. It’s going to be hard to rest a bunch of guys for the trip to No. 41 Vista Grande (2-7) next week but it would be understandable.

Mario Padilla with the 67-yard run for a TD. Salpointe leads Catalina Foothills 42-0 with 9:23 left 3Q. pic.twitter.com/9NifXFew1X

— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) October 20, 2018

No. 10 Walden Grove (7-2) is also going to the playoffs thanks to a region-clinching 57-6 win over No. 39 Amphitheater (4-5). The Panthers got extra life thanks to a win gained by the many forfeits from Douglas but the Red Wolves were too much to handle. There may not be enough power points left in the regular to move the Red Wolves into the top eight so a first-round opponent will be ranked higher.

No. 18 Ironwood Ridge (5-4) came up with the win of the night thanks to a 31-20 victory at home against No. 15 Buena (5-4). The win might bump the Nighthawks into the top 16 but, more importantly, it sets up a 5A Southern Region championship at No. 5 Cienega (8-1) next Friday. Buena may have dropped out of the playoff race.

Fabian Figueroa scores on a QB keeper to give Ironwood Ridge a 31-20 lead on Buena with 1:40 left. Might be a back-breaker... #AZHSFB pic.twitter.com/Hk55WFPwzo

— Christopher Boan (@cgboan) October 20, 2018

No. 6 Flowing Wells (8-1) will host No. 31 Mountain View (4-5) next Friday for the 5A Sonoran title. In years past, the winner would have earned an automatic playoff berth but a region championship does not guarantee a playoff spot in the 6A and 5A ranks this year. The Caballeros would love to host a playoff game and the Mountain Lions would love to spoil the party with a region title.

No. 9 Safford (6-3) held on for a 35-34 win over No. 12 Pusch Ridge (4-5) to keep pace with No. 7 Sabino (7-2) in the 3A South Region. The two programs play each other next week with the winner taking the region crown and a possible home game in the first round. The Lions might still be in good shape for an at-large berth but we will have to wait for the next rankings to come out Tuesday morning.

No. 10 Willcox (7-2) will play No. 15 Benson (5-4) for the 2A San Pedro championship next Friday at Willcox. The Cowboys are going to the playoffs for the first time since 2012 but this is a rivalry game so there’s much more on the line.

In 6A action, No. 21 Tucson (5-4) started the season out 5-0 overall and 3-0 in region play but four straight losses have knocked the Badgers out of the top 16. A victory at home against No. 33 Trevor Browne (3-6) next Friday will guarantee a winning season.