The remaining brackets are all set, and a clean 10 high school football teams from Tucson and surrounding areas — that includes locales like Oro Valley, Vail, Marana, Sahuarita and Sierra Vista — have earned berths this season to the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s 2023 state tournaments.
A pair of Tucson teams earned No. 2 seeds in their respective conferences — Salpointe Catholic (8-2) in Class 6A and Canyon del Oro in 4A.
The talk of CDO being ranked in such a way that the Dorados might jump out of the 4A bracket and into the AIA’s much-debated “Open” tournament has finally been put to rest, but they and their 4A counterparts have a state championship road that’s arguably the toughest of any traditional level in the state.
In the case of CDO, the Dorados finished their 2023 regular season under head coach Dustin Peace as the Tucson-area’s only unbeaten team, yet are in a bracket that includes two more 10-0 teams in No. 1 Yuma Catholic and No. 4 Phoenix Arcadia. And, oh yeah: their semi-local rival Mica Mountain, at 9-1, is the third seed, with the Dorados and Thunderbolts on track to collide in a semifinal matchup in Oro Valley, should both keep advancing. It would be a rematch of the instantly epic 17-15 win by CDO over MM not even a month ago.
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No Southern Arizona teams made the eight-team Open bracket; Salpointe jumped to its own second seed by way of a number of 6A teams moving up to the Open.
Two levels — 3A and 2A — saw their tournaments get underway this past Friday while the rest of the teams finished their regular seasons. Sabino (8-3), seeded fourth in the 3A tournament, defeated No. 13 Mohave Valley River Valley 46-31; the Sabercats will host again in round two. Tanque Verde (9-2) won its 2A playoff opener, shutting out No. 10 Parker 24-0. But the Hawks, seeded seventh, now hit the road for their own quarterfinal matchup.
Pusch Ridge's Jacob Newborn (4) tries to work his way past Blue Ridge's David Simmons (1) during their Class 3A state playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy on Friday night. No. 9 Lakeside Blue Ridge outlasted No. 8 Pusch Ridge 20-17, ending the Lions' season.
Of the 10 local teams that earned playoff berths, one has already seen its season come to an end. No. 8 Pusch Ridge Christian Academy lost its 3A playoff opener at home to No. 9 Lakeside Blue Ridge 20-17.
Here’s a breakdown of how Friday night’s action went, plus what’s to come for those teams still in action for the playoffs.
Also, one key programming note: this next week’s playoff games are all on Thursday (Nov. 9); the games are a day earlier than usual due to Veterans Day on Friday.
Upcoming playoff games:
All games Thursday (Nov. 9), 7 p.m.
6A (Rd. 1): (15) Tempe Corona del Sol (3-7) at (2) Salpointe Catholic (8-2)
5A (Rd. 1): (16) Ironwood Ridge (8-2) at (1) Gilbert Higley (8-2)
5A (Rd. 1): (11) Marana (5-5) at (6) ALA-Gilbert North (6-4)
5A (Rd. 1): (15) Buena (7-3) at (2) Goodyear Desert Edge (8-2)
4A (Rd. 1): (15) San Tan Valley Poston Butte (6-4) at (2) Canyon del Oro (10-0)
4A (Rd. 1): (14) Snowflake (7-3) at (3) Mica Mountain (9-1)
4A (Rd. 1): (11) Walden Grove (6-4) at (6) Phoenix Northwest Christian (8-2)
3A (Rd. 2): (12) Eagar Round Valley (7-4) at (4) Sabino (8-3)
2A (Rd. 2): (7) Tanque Verde (9-2) at (2) Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (11-0)
Friday’s results:
3A State Tournament (Round 1)
(4) Sabino 46, (13) Mohave Valley River Valley 31
(9) Lakeside Blue Ridge 20, (8) Pusch Ridge Christian 17
2A State Tournament (Round 1)
(7) Tanque Verde 24, (10) Parker 0
Class 6A
Phoenix Brophy Prep (8-2) 14, Salpointe Catholic (8-2) 12
Class 5A
Casa Grande (7-3) 35, Buena (7-3) 31
Sunnyside (5-5) 35, Desert View (3-7) 14
Flowing Wells (3-7) 42, Maricopa (4-6) 26
Ironwood Ridge (8-2) 18, Mountain View (4-6) 17
Marana (5-5) 46, Cienega (5-5) 0
Tucson (5-5) 81, Nogales (0-10) 0
Class 4A
Canyon del Oro (10-0) 21, Walden Grove (6-4) 9
Mica Mountain (9-1) 28, Catalina Foothills (4-6) 21
Douglas (5-5) 47, Sahuarita (2-8) 3
Empire (6-4) 28, Rincon/University (2-8) 13
Rio Rico (4-6) 28, Cholla (4-6) 21
Sahuaro (3-7) 33, Pueblo (3-7) 7
Video Vault I
Marana forced its way into the Class 5A playoff picture with a convincing 46-0 win over Cienega Friday night. While the Tigers are just 5-5, they did secure the 11th seed by winning four of their last five games in a season where they only played three home games, and none until their fifth game of the season due weather damage to their stadium's turf right before the opener. The Tigers open up their playoff run this coming Friday at ALA-Gilbert North. Star correspondent James Kelley provides video of scoring plays and other big moments from Marana's win over Cienega last Friday night:
VIDEO: Marana’a Darian Dewitt scores on a 44-yard touchdown run as part of the Tigers’ 46-0 win over Cienega on Nov. 3, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Marana would have added a touchdown to the board via a punt return, but the play was called back after a flag was thrown due to a kick-type flip as a Marana player got tangled up with a Cienega player upfield. Marana won 46-0 on Nov. 3, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Marana quarterback Jason Wood, playing wide receiver late this season for the Tigers, scores on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Dante Tate during Marana’s 46-0 win over Cienega on Nov. 3, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Marana’a Darian Dewitt scores on a 5-yard touchdown run as part of the Tigers’ 46-0 win over Cienega on Nov. 3, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Marana quarterback Jason Wood, playing wide receiver late this season for the Tigers, scores on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Dante Tate during Marana’s 46-0 win over Cienega on Nov. 3, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Marana’s Dante Tate scores on a 1-yard quarterback keeper as part of the Tigers’ 46-0 win over Cienega on Nov. 3, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
Video Vault II
While Amphitheater didn't make the postseason, it's impossible not to see the Hawks' 2023 season as a success. They finished 7-3 overall and tied for the top spot with Douglas and Empire for the top spot in the Class 4A Gila Region at 5-1 in region play. Amphi finished ranked 26th in the Class 4A seedings (top 16 made the tournament). No other team ranked lower than 21st matched the Hawks' seven wins. Star correspondent James Kelley provides video of scoring plays and other big moments from Amphi's season-closing 47-0 win over Sahuarita on Oct. 27:
VIDEO: Amphitheater’s David Silva hauls in an apparent 20-yard TD catch in the Panthers’ 47-0 win over Sahuarita on Oct. 27, 2023, but the official waves it off, calling it an incomplete pass. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Amphitheater tackle Carlos Lopez scores scores on a 1-yard touchdown run during the Panthers’ 47-0 win over Sahuarita on Oct. 27, 2023. Amphi had multiple offensive plays that included getting the ball in the hands of the Panthers’ offensive lineman during the victory. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Amphitheater’s David Silva catches a deep throw downfield and runs it in for a 59-yard touchdown during the Panthers’ 47-0 win over Sahuarita on Oct. 27, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Amphitheater’s David Silva catches a 15-yard touchdown during the Panthers’ 47-0 win over Sahuarita on Oct. 27, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Amphitheater offensive tackle Marco Martinez carries the ball for a first down run during the Panthers’ 47-0 win over Sahuarita on Oct. 27, 2023. Amphi had multiple offensive plays that included getting the ball in the hands of the Panthers’ offensive lineman during the victory. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Amphitheater High School senior tight end Riley Robinson catches a 36-yard touchdown pass as part of the Panthers' 47-0 win over Sahuarita on Oct. 27, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
VIDEO: Amphitheater High School senior tight end Riley Robinson hauls in a 57-yard touchdown catch during the Panthers' 47-0 win over Sahuarita on Oct. 27, 2023. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
Picture This
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, seeding eighth in the Class 3A playoff bracket, narrowly fell to No. 9 Lakeside Blue Ridge last Friday night in Oro Valley. The Lions led 14-10 at the end of three quarters, but Blue Ridge scored 10 in the fourth to win 20-17 and put an end to PRCA's season. Photos from the game via Star photographer Kelly Presnell:
Photos: Pusch Ridge loses in a heart breaker to Blue Ridge, 20-17, State 3A high school football playoffs
Teammates offer support to Pusch Ridge's Sam Avery (62) as the players gather shortly after the Lions fell to Blue Ridge 20-17 on a last minute field goal in their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Elliot Lovett (9) leaps in to intercept a pass intended for Blue Ridge's David Simmons (1), double-covered by Tyler Drescher (1) during their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Blue Ridge's David Simmons (1) gets to the long-bomb pass behind Pusch Ridge's Elliot Lovett (9) in the second quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023. Simmons was downed at the 11, setting up a Yellow Jacket field goal.
Pusch Ridge's Tyler Drescher (1) tries to shovel the ball off while in the arms of Blue Ridge's Matt Simington (23) as the Lions resort to several laterals trying to score on the game’s final play trailing 20-17 in the fourth quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Sawyer Allen (21) picks up a penalty trying to block Blue Ridge's Matt Simington (23) on Elliot Lovett’s (9) interception return in their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
The Pusch Ridge players enter the field to go against Blue Ridge for their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Noah Secrest (7) has a touchdown catch slip through his arms behind Blue Ridge's Matt Simington (23) late in the fourth quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's John Palmer (52), left, Tyler Drescher (1) and Sawyer Allen (21) gang tackle Blue Ridge's Karlo Harris (12) in the first quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Dominic Painter (12) gets hit from all sides by Blue Ridge's Matt Simington (23) and Karlo Harris (12) after his catch in the backfield in their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Elliot Lovett (9) can’t wrest the ball out of the hands of Blue Ridge's David Simmons (1) and giving up an interception in the second quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Blue Ridge's Karlo Harris (12) gets dumped on his head by Pusch Ridge's Sam Avery (62) on his second quarter run during the State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Bubba Mustain (2) tries to pick up some extra yards in the grip of Blue Ridge's Trenyn Trickey (8) in their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Blue Ridge's David Simmons (1) gets enough space to reel in a catch in front of Pusch Ridge's Tyler Drescher (1) and an eventual touchdown in the third quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Bubba Mustain (2) runs behind the block of Tyler Drescher (1) on Blue Ridge's David Simmons (1) in their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
During last year’s Class 3A playoffs, Pusch Ridge’s Jacob Newborn (4) tries to work his way past Blue Ridge’s David Simmons (1) during a game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy on Nov. 3, 2023.
Blue Ridge's David Simmons (1) cradles a catch and just enough yardage for a first down in front of Pusch Ridge's John Sunukjian (35) during their opening round game of the State 3A playoffs at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Sawyer Allen (21), left, and Charles Palmer (84) team up to bring down Blue Ridge's Jace Barton (41) on a carry in their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Blue Ridge's Noah Chee (16) rides down Pusch Ridge's Jacob Newborn (4) in the first quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Bubba Mustain (2) gets off a first quarter pass despite the pressure from Blue Ridge's Anthony Seitz (60) in the State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge head coach Kent Middleton has a pat on the head for Tyler Drescher (1) after a Lion defensive stand against Blue Ridge in the second quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy in Tucson on Nov. 3, 2023.
Pusch Ridge's Sam Avery (62) holds on to get Blue Ridge's Jace Barton (41) on his run into the line in the first quarter of their State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Blue Ridge's Jace Barton (41) savors his touchdown catch over Pusch Ridge's Jacob Newborn (4) in the fourth quarter of the State 3A playoff game at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Blue Ridge's Caleb Mink (13), left, and David Simmons (1) celebrate as the clock runs out on Pusch Ridge and a 20-17 Yellow Jacket win in the first round of the State 3A playoffs at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Linebacker coach Steven Hancock holds Pusch Ridge's Tyler Drescher (1) as the Lions gather in the aftermath of their 20-17 loss to Blue Ridge in the opening game of the State 3A playoffs at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Tucson, Ariz., November 3, 2023.
Contact Star sports editor Brett Fera at bfera1@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @brettfera
Brett Fera
Sports Editor
