High school football matchups, predictions and score updates for Southern Arizona

The high school football season is in full swing, and teams throughout Southern Arizona are making the most of it. Last week, Sahuaro cruised by Sabino 34-7 in the east-side rivalry game and beat the Sabercats for the first time in four years.

The Star’s game of the week features Salpointe Catholic against an out-of-town opponent, El Paso Del Valle. Here’s a look at this week’s matchups. Predictions are in ALL CAPS. Each game will be played on Friday night at 7 p.m.

Prediction: El Paso Del Valle (1-0) at SALPOINTE CATHOLIC (3-0)

Where: 1545 E. Copper Street

Matchup: Salpointe Catholic is no stranger to scheduling out-of-state opponents. In 2012 and 2013, the Lancers had a home-and-home with Southern California powerhouse Encino Crespi. But this will be Salpointe’s first time playing a school from Texas. The Lancers host El Paso’s Del Valle, a team that fields Colorado quarterback Steven Montez’s younger brother. Raymond Montez completed 16 of 24 passes for 236 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions last week, while the Lancers had issues holding off Goodyear Desert Edge. The Lancers have an answer to Del Valle’s passing game in safety Lathan Ransom. Does Del Valle have an answer for Bijan Robinson? If the Conquistadores do, grab the popcorn. Salpointe Catholic should win 38-21.

Prediction: Phoenix North (1-2) at TUCSON HIGH (3-0)

Where: 400 N. 2nd Ave.

Matchup: The Badgers are off to their best start in three seasons and after missing out on the playoffs last year, Tucson High looks the part of a bracket-buster. The Badgers have allowed just 18 total points. They should take care of business at home and pitch another shutout. Let’s call it 49-0.

Prediction: FLOWING WELLS (2-1) at Amphitheater (1-2)

Where: 125 W. Yavapai Road

Matchup: Flowing Wells suffered its first loss last week, falling to Palm Desert (Calif.) 9-7. Caballeros running back Raashad Henderson rushed for 124 yards, and continues to prove he’s one of the best rushers in town. Through three games, Henderson has rushed for 367 yards and five touchdowns. He alone will give the Caballeros a 34-6 win against Amphi.

Prediction: IRONWOOD RIDGE (1-1) at Gilbert Campo Verde (3-0)

Where: 3870 S. Quartz Street, Gilbert

Matchup: Oh boy, this is going to be a fun one. Campo Verde is led defensively by Trevor Kauer, who has six sacks on the season. He’ll be charged with stopping I-Ridge running back Nathan Grijalva, who rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown in last week’s loss. Will it be shocking if Ironwood Ridge loses again this week? No. But expect the Nighthawks to bounce back with a 30-28 road win.

Prediction: Cienega (2-0) at PEORIA CENTENNIAL (2-0)

Where: 14388 N. 79th Ave., Peoria

Matchup: The Bobcats found their answer at quarterback in Luis Morales. Over the last two games, Morales has thrown for 278 yards — and while those numbers seem expected for a Cienega quarterback, remember, he went 2 of 2 passing for 55 yards in a season-opening rout of Cholla. The Bobcats outscored their first two opponents 93-7 in the first two weeks. Now? Cienega will travel to face Class 5A state champion Centennial, a program that has won three titles in four years and is one of the top programs in Arizona. Centennial has already defeated Casteel and Las Vegas Bishop Gorman this season. The Bobcats will have to play perfectly to pull the upset. Odds are good that they won’t; expect Centennial to hold them off 37-28.

Prediction: PUEBLO (0-2) at Cholla (0-3)

Where: 2001 W. Starr Pass Blvd.

Matchup: These games are always fun because no matter which team comes out on top, it will have its first win of the season. Pueblo is winless after its first two games even though it returned Ruben Rivera, Omar Ibanez and Julio Carino on defense. Cholla has been depleted with injuries and is still trying get healthy heading into Week 4. The Warriors have enough to get a 28-0 win on Friday night.

Prediction: MARANA (3-0) at Desert View (1-1)

Where: 4101 E. Valencia Road

Matchup: Marana is undefeated through its first three games, with wins over Scottsdale Horizon, Laveen Fairfax and Catalina Foothills. Quarterback Trenton Bourguet completed 74.3 percent of his passes and is averaging 259 yards per game through the air. Now that Bourguet and Marana’s offense are starting to hit their stride, it’s going to be tough to stop the Tigers. Desert View is fresh off a road win against Nogales, but the Jaguars will be in a tough battle against a Marana team that’s destined for a deep playoff run. Marana rolls 50-13.

Prediction: Nogales (1-1) at RIO RICO (1-2)

Where: 590 N. Camino Galindo, Rio Rico

Matchup: A year ago, Nogales took it to Rio Rico and won 42-6. How will this year look? Don’t let Rio Rico’s record fool you, because the Hawks were six points away from having a winning record. Junior quarterback Michael Bustamante has been Rio Rico’s bright spot this season — he’s averaging 112.5 passing yards per game. If Bustamante can take care of the ball, the Hawks will avenge last season’s loss. Call it 27-21 in overtime. Who doesn’t love free football?

Prediction: RINCON/UNIVERSITY (0-2) at Tanque Verde (0-2)

Where: 4201 N. Melpomene Way

Matchup: This is another game where one team will walk away with its first win of the season. Both teams were blown out last week, but that won’t be the case Friday night. This game will come down to turnovers and penalties, and if the Rangers can avoid both, they’ll win. Let’s call it 13-7 Rincon.

Prediction: Catalina (1-1) at DOUGLAS (3-0)

Where: 1500 15th Street, Douglas

Matchup: Douglas’ turnaround has been an early highlight of 2018. Douglas posted a 0-10 record last season, but is 3-0 so far this year. Playmakers Manny Mejia, Christian Estrella and John Ballesteros have already combined for 11 touchdowns. Catalina squeaked away with a 30-25 win against Rio Rico on the road last week. The Trojans will travel about twice as far as last week , but don’t expect them to return with a win. Douglas will inch closer to an undefeated season with a 20-17 win.

Prediction: Casa Grande (3-0) at WALDEN GROVE (1-1)

Where: 15510 S. Sahuarita Park Road, Sahuarita

Matchup: Walden Grove surprised Southern Arizona last week by shutting out Pusch Ridge Christian 21-0 , and this weekend has the makings of another upset victory. This could be a game that gives Walden Grove some steam moving forward. Expect the Red Wolves to hand Casa Grande its first loss of the season, 24-21.

Prediction: CANYON DEL ORO (1-1) at Pusch Ridge Christian (1-1)

Where: 9500 N. Oracle Road

Matchup: Pusch Ridge lost to Walden Grove at home last week. Things don’t get any easier as the Lions host CDO, which won for the first time of the season last week. Look for CDO to lean on sophomore running back Stevie Rocker, who already has 398 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Expect the Dorados to, well, rock Pusch Ridge 35-17.

Prediction: Santa Rita (0-2) at BENSON (1-1)

Where: 360 S. Patagonia, Benson

Matchup:  Santa Rita is rebuilding under first-year head coach Richard Sanchez, and it’s going to take some time before the Eagles start winning again. Benson lost 21-6 to Morenci last week, and Morenci beat Santa Rita 66-0 in the season opener. Using the transitive property, Benson should win this contest 49-7.

Prediction: SAHUARO (2-1) at Tempe Marcos de Niza (0-2)

Where: 6000 S. Lakeshore Drive, Tempe

Matchup: Sahuaro not only beat rival Sabino for the first time in four years, but the Cougars scored 27 unanswered points and routed the Sabercats. Considering Sahuaro lost 41-13 a year ago, Scott McKee’s team is much different this season. Sahuaro running back Cameron Williams rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns last week and the 6-foot, 215-pound senior was the workhorse on offense. Marcos de Niza has a great reputation around the state so this game could be closer than most think, but last Friday proved one thing: Feed. The. Ball. To. Williams. It took at least two to three defenders to bring him down last week, so expect him to run wild and lead Sahuaro to a 40-21 win.

Prediction: CATALINA FOOTHILLS (1-2) at Sabino (0-2)

Where: 5000 N. Bowes Road

Matchup: Sabino has the tools to be a winning team this season, but last week against Sahuaro proved the Sabercats still have to sort out a few things. It won’t get easier against a Catalina Foothills team that kept it tight with Marana through four quarters last week. Catalina Foothills head coach Jeff Scurran returns to his old stomping grounds where he won three state titles with the Sabercats. Sabino will improve this week, but Catalina Foothills should win in a tough battle on the road. Falcons fly 30-24.

Prediction: Empire (0-2) at SIERRA VISTA BUENA (2-1) 

Where: 5225 W. Buena Vista Blvd., Sierra Vista

Matchup: The Ravens couldn’t snag a win in two home games to open the season, with loses to Rio Rico and Douglas. Now Empire will hit the road and face a sneaky good Buena team that left Sahuaro with a 16-15 win on the road last week. Buena quarterback Jovoni Borbon averaged 211.5 yards through the air in the first two matchups and found chemistry with wide receiver Mandrell Garrick. Buena had its bye week last week, so rest mixed in with home cooking should be a recipe for success. Colts clip the Ravens 30-7 at home.