High school football: Week 8 matchups and game predictions

Where: 2475 W. Naranja Drive

Winner: A Tucson High win, one that would keep the Badgers in the playoff race, would be one of the feel-good stories of the season. The Badgers had a brutal schedule all season long. Ironwood Ridge had a hiccup halfway through the season losing to Mountain View and Queen Creek in back-to-back weeks, but recharged with a 50-15 win over Sierra Vista Buena last week. Tucson High has struggled against run-first teams this season, and the Nighthawks have one of the best rush attacks in Tucson. Expect the Nighthawks to win 34-28.

Where: 5225 Buena School Blvd., Sierra Vista

Winner: The Colts have only lost one home game all season, so maybe they can keep this one competitive for at least a half. Cienega is one of Southern Arizona's best teams, and has proven it can when even when quarterback Jamarye Joiner has an off-night. Cienega takes this one 48-13. 

Where: 3725 N. Flowing Wells Road

Winner: Much like Tucson High, the Jaguars are in dire need of a win if they want to stay in the playoff hunt. They're fortunate to be facing Flowing Wells, which hasn't won a game since Week 2 and has dropped five straight. The Caballeros have averaged just seven points per game over the last month. If Desert View can find the end zone a few times, it'll win. Let's call it 20-6.

Where: 32375 N. Gantzel Road, San Tan Valley

Winner: Outside of Cienega and Pusch Ridge Christian, Marana might be the hottest team in Southern Arizona. Quarterback Trenton Bourguet won a head-to-head battle with Cholla's Jordan Porter last week, throwing four touchdowns. Poston Butte's defense has given up 24.3 points per game and with Marana's high-powered offense coming through, that average should go up. Expect the Tigers to roll 49-20.  

Where: 1545 E. Copper Street

Winner: Salpointe Catholic running back Bijan Robinson returned from his ankle injury last week. Nogales has kept games close this season, but the Apaches have a tendency to let games slip away in the second half. This one won't get that far: Salpointe Catholic cruises to a 54-6 win. 

Where: 125 W. Yavapai Road

Winner: Amphitheater beat Douglas a week ago for its first win of the year. Now, the Panthers host Palo Verde in what should be a close battle. The Titans may have a couple of more wins than Amphitheater, but the Panthers may be more desperate. This will be a physical, grind-it-out type of game, but Palo Verde should take this one 24-15. 

Where: 1500 15th Street, Douglas

Winner: Pueblo is a difficult team to figure out. One week, the Warriors get blown out by Walden Grove; later, they upset Canyon del Oro at home. Pueblo is a sleeper, and — with games against Palo Verde and Amphitheater left on the schedule — could finish with one of the better records in Southern Arizona. Douglas is having a down season so even if Pueblo struggles on the road, which is very possible, the Warriors will win. Call it 38-0. 

Where: 350 W. Sahuarita Road, Sahuarita

Winner: Sabino led Pusch Ridge Christian 7-6 last week … then surrendered 38 unanswered points. Luckily for the Sabercats, Sahuarita isn't Pusch Ridge Christian. Sabino should be able to regroup and win on the road 50-14.  

Where: 3901 W. Linda Vista Blvd., Marana

Winner: Sahuaro has won three of its last four games and pulled within two scores against Cienega last week. If this game was played at Sahuaro, it'd have upset special written all over it, but Mountain View hasn't lost a game since its first game against Salpointe Catholic. Mountain View's defense is one of the best groups around and since it's senior night, it's the Mountain Lions' night. Mountain View wins 38-20. 

Where: 10701 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way, Vail

Winner: The Ravens took out their frustration against a solid Catalina team last week and won 41-14. This week should be a similar result against a Santa Rita team that is out of sorts. Expect the Ravens to take it 56-0. 

Where: 421 N. Arcadia Blvd. 

Winner: The Rangers are a much better team at this point in the season than they were in the first few weeks. Sunnyside lost to Tucson High in overtime last week, the latest in a series of heartbreaking finishes. The Blue Devils lost to Pueblo and Desert View by four points combined. Expect Sunnyside to return to the win column with a 20-17 win over Rincon/University. 

Where: 9500 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley

Winner: The Lions made a statement last week against Sabino, pounding the Sabercats following a slow start. Quarterback Christian Fetsis is one of the smartest quarterbacks in Southern Arizona. The Lions' offense relies heavily on the triple option, but once defenses stack the box, Fetsis takes shots down the  field. He completed 5 of 6 passes for 141 yards against Sabino. The Lions' undefeated season will remain intact after with a 63-14 win over Tanque Verde.

Where: 25 W. Calle Concordia, Oro Valley

Winner: Walden Grove has a difficult time against teams with solid running backs. Just last week, it surrendered 188 rushing yards and three touchdowns to Salpointe Catholic's Bijan Robinson. The defense will be tested once again by CDO's Elijah Carey, though the Dorados are struggling. Since starting the season 3-1, CDO has lost three straight — including last week's 22-17 loss to Pueblo. If CDO stays in a funk, Walden Grove will roll. Call it 37-13.