High school football: Canyon del Oro storms back to defeat Marana; 1 of 5 still unbeaten

But once the second half started, it was all Dorados over the host Tigers.

CDO put up 28 in the third quarter and 21 in the fourth while yielding just one more Marana score, overcoming that 14-0 deficit to win handily, 49-21, Friday night.

Kayden Luke ran for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns to push the Dorados to 5-0 on the season. Marana fell to 1-4 with the loss.

“Man we came out on fire. That was good, man. That felt super, super good,” Luke told AZPreps365.com postgame. “Super confident. We knew we were going to come out and put up some big points on the board.”

Through five games — with CDO on a bye next week — Luke now has close to 850 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns so far this season.

The cream is certainly rising to the top as many teams hit the midway point of their regular-season schedules this week. There are still five unbeaten teams from Tucson and surrounding communities, including the Dorados.

Two other unbeatens continued their own winning ways Friday, as Sierra Vista Buena defeated Pueblo 34-14 and Mica Mountain knocked off Casa Grande 42-27 to both also move to 5-0. Pusch Ridge Christian Academy also improved to 5-0 by winning a Thursday matchup with San Tan Foothills 42-0.

Salpointe Catholic (4-0) was off this week but will be back at it next Friday at home against Phoenix Desert Vista. Pusch Ridge is at Sabino next Friday and Buena hosts Marana, while CDO and Mica Mountain both have next week off.

Other teams putting themselves in solid position at or near their midway points of the year include Ironwood Ridge at 4-1 after a 44-7 win over Sahuaro. Quarterback Dominic Norris completed 14 of 21 passes for 240 yards and a score, while adding 84 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries on the ground in the victory. Matthew Kroner had 7 receptions for 126 yards for IRHS.

Tanque Verde also improved to 4-1, shutting out Catalina 58-0. Tanque Verde opened the game with a safety, and it was all downhill from there. Anthony Torgerson returned an interception for a touchdown from roughly 45 yards out, while Gavin Gilbert had multiple touchdown runs in victory for the Hawks.

The entire scoreboard involving local teams (scores compiled from the Arizona Republic, MaxPreps and other sources):

• Pusch Ridge (5-0) 42, San Tan Foothills (1-5) 0 (Thu.)
• Phoenix Barry Goldwater (3-2), 56, Flowing Wells (1-4) 28 (Thu.)
• Cienega (3-2) 23, Tempe McClintock (3-2) 19 (Thu.)
• Buena (5-0) 34, Pueblo, (3-2) 14
• Canyon del Oro (5-0) 49, Marana (1-4) 21
• Mica Mountain (5-0) 42, Casa Grande (3-2) 27
• Ironwood Ridge (4-1) 44, Sahuaro (2-3) 7
• Sunnyside (2-3) 43, Nogales (0-5) 6
• Catalina Foothills (2-3) 28, Tucson (1-4) 21
• Walden Grove (2-2) 33, Desert View (3-2) 6
• Amphitheater (3-2) 34, Cholla (2-3) 3
• Douglas (2-3) 34, Empire (1-4) 21
• Rio Rico (2-3) 37, Rincon/University (2-2) 0
• Tanque Verde (4-1) 58, Catalina (3-2) 0
• Phoenix Cortez (4-1) 48, Palo Verde (1-4) 6

Additional highlights

Canyon del Oro 49, Marana 21

Marana jumped out early in its first home game of 2023 — a night that saw the Tigers finally get to enjoy their brand new turf:

But the victory isn't entirely credited to CDO's offense. The Dorados' defense came up big in holding Marana to just seven second-half points, while scoring a bit of their own (including a touchdown on this pick-six from Austin Greer):

For more images, a full photo gallery from Canyon del Oro’s come-from-behind, yet still dominant win at Marana to move to 5-0 by Star photographer Kelly Presnell:

Cienega 23, McClintock 19 (Thu.)

While all of Cienega's scoring came in the first half — the Bobcats led 23-13 at the break thanks in part to the play of quarterback Evan Weber:

... Cienega coach Justin Argraves relied on his Bobcat defense to stymie the once powerful McClintock offense in this one. Defensive back Ari Dubin did what Ari Dubin does with another pass breakup:

For more images, a full photo gallery from Cienega's 23-19 win over Tempe McClintock (a victory that put the Bobcats back over .500 on the year) Thursday night by Star photographer Kelly Presnell: 

Tanque Verde 58, Catalina 0

Gavin Gilbert ran for one score after another as the Hawks improved to 4-1, while knocking Catalina to 3-2 on the year. Here's a video rundown of much of Tanque Verde's scoring Friday night, starting with the Hawks getting things going with a safety on defense:

Then Hawks junior Deion Harrison scores on a 33-yard touchdown run:

Now it's Gilbert's turn. Gilbert's first touchdown, a 40-yard run:

Gilbert again, this time form eight yards out:

And Gilbert at third time, on a 6-yard score:

Tanque Verde senior Grayson Bradshaw with an 11-yard touchdown:

Hawks senior Michael McKenna a 1-yard score:

Tanque Verde sophomore Anthony Torgerson's interception return for a touchdown:

TV junior Kason White a 7-yard touchdown: