The high school football regular season is nearing its conclusion in Southern Arizona. The Star shares our weekly look back at the best of last week while charging ahead toward what we might be able to expect from programs across Tucson and surrounding communities this Friday night, as contenders vie for playoff positioning.
Team of the week
Mica Mountain beat then-No. 10 Walden Grove 16-6 to maintain its perfect record and win the Class 4A Kino Region championship.
Although in just its third season in a region, the four-year-old school has won two 4A Kino titles.
The Thunderbolts have also won 25 of their last 27 games.
Mica Mountain senior quarterback Jayden Thoreson was 8 for 19 for 106 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
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Senior running back Josiah Thornwell ran for 49 yards on 12 carries while eight different Thunderbolts caught a pass.
On defense, junior linebackers Benkat Jwander and Broden Schmidt each had 11 tackles. Senior defensive end Jimmy Leon had two sacks and senior cornerback Nathaniel Bryant and junior safety Riley Carson had interceptions.
It was actually the lowest score for Mica Mountain this year and the first time since a Week One 17-8 win over San Tan Valley Poston Butte that the Thunderbolts didn't score at least 28. They had scored at least 41 in their last four games.
Mica Mountain moved up to third in the rankings from No. 5.
Stat book
Flowing Wells rushed for 442 yards in the Caballeros' 70-0 win over Nogales on Friday. Junior receiver Benicio Ruiz led the way with 114 yards on seven carries, and junior Jayden Simmons had 105 yards on eight carries.
Willcox senior running back Landon Ward ran for 136 yards on four carries in the Cowboys' 62-0 win over Catalina last week.
Buena senior running back Andres Bonilla rushed for 119 yards on eight attempts in the Colts' 49-0 win over Sunnyside on Friday.
Recruiting trail
Pusch Ridge Christian senior kicker/punter Tyler Nolan visited NAU for its Red Rock Rivalry Game against Weber State on Saturday. Nolan is rated 4.5 stars by Chris Sailer Kicking, an official partner of the All-American Bowl.
Phoenix Brophy Prep junior receiver Devin Fitzgerald, a UA target, visits Salpointe Catholic on Friday night. The son of former NFL star Larry Fitzgerald, Devin had seven catches for 101 yards in the Broncos' 31-24 win over Phoenix Mountain Pointe last week.
Quotable
"I don't care what division you're in, you should want to play in the state championship. I'd much rather lose first round of the Open than win the conference championship. I think it means more playing in a game like that." -- Tucson High head coach Zachary Neveleff on reports that the 5A may opt out of the Open like the 4A did last year. The AIA considers the Open winner the state champ and 6A, 5A, 4A etc. titles to be conference championships.
Games of the week
Phoenix Brophy Prep (8-1) at Salpointe Catholic (6-2)
Location: 1545 E. Copper St. (7 p.m.)
Notable: Both 3-0 in 6A Central play, Brophy faces traditional rival Salpointe with the region title on the line. The Broncos are ranked No. 4 in 6A and No. 7 in the Open. Salpointe is No. 11 in 6A. According to azfootballarchives.com, these two Catholic schools first played in 1954, a 39-19 Salpointe win. In the Max Preps era (since 2004), BCP leads the series 5-2.
Ironwood Ridge (8-1) at Mountain View (5-4)
Location: 3901 W. Linda Vista Blvd. (7 p.m.)
Notable: Ironwood Ridge can win its second straight 5A Sonoran championship outright with a victory over Mountain View. If Mountain View wins, it can force a three-way tie with the Nighthawks and Tucson High. As far as the state tournament goes, 5A No. 6 Ironwood Ridge looks to get a top-two seed with a win and Mountain View, ranked No. 17 in the 5A, could secure a postseason spot with the upset (the Open currently has three 5A schools).
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James Kelley