2024 High School Football

2024 Southern Arizona high school football schedules: 4A Gila



NOTE: With the AIA officially releasing the 2024 football schedules last week, AllSportsTucson.com will take a look at the schedules of each region 1A-6A in Southern Arizona in a series of posts.

Amphi coach Jorge Mendivil is entering his 23rd season as a head coach, 11th with the Panthers, after leading the program to 7-3 overall and 5-1 in the 4A Gila last season (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)

4A GILA SCHEDULING NOTES:

— Amphi, under one of the most successful coaches in Southern Arizona — Jorge Mendivil(121 career wins), plays the same schedule as last year when it finished 7-3 and 5-1 in the 4A Gila. A majority of the schools play the same schedule as a year ago with the sites flipped. The Panthers host Flowing Wells in the Prince Road Rivalry on Sept. 13 and travel to Amphitheater School District rival CDO the next week.

— The Paul TrippEra at Cholla begins with a road game against Glendale Copper Canyon, a team the Chargers beat 7-0 at home to start the season last year. The Chargers play traditional rivals Pueblo on the road and Sahuaro at home in non-regional games in the third and fourth weeks of the season, respectively.

— Douglas, under sixth-year coach Hunter Long(an alum who was part of Arizona’s 2014 Pac-12 South championship team), have a tough non-region schedule hosting ALA-Ironwood (3A playoff team last year) in the opener followed by road games at historic rival Bisbee and Sahuaro before hosting 5A school Ironwood Ridge.

— Empire also has a long-term coach in George Kelly(sixth year) and the Ravens face the challenge of opening at home with Phoenix Sierra Linda (a 5A school that reclassifed to 4A this year). The Ravens lost 13-7 at Sierra Linda to open last year. The Ravens then play at Avondale La Joya and Ironwood Ridge before hosting Pueblo in the non-region schedule.

Johnny Chanbegins his head coaching career at Rincon/University at home with games with Phoenix Washington and Palo Verde at home before playing at Safford (a tough 3A team that won at RIncon/University 49-17. The promising news is the Rangers started 2-0 last year with wins at Washington and Palo Verde. A game at Casa Grande Vista Grande is scheduled in the middle of the 4A Gila schedule.

— Rio Rico will start the Carlos Duranera at Maricopa Desert Sunrise followed by home games against Glendale and rival Nogales before playing at Florence. The Ravens won the last two games against Nogales under legendary coach Jeff Scurranafter going without a win in the I-19 Rivalry in the previous 12 meetings.

Jake Allentakes his introduction into head coaching at Pueblo the last four years into his new position at Sahuarita facing the challenge of playing a similar schedule that resulted in a 2-8 record for the Mustangs last year. Sahuarita’s non-region schedule does not include a game with nearby rival Walden Grove for the second consecutive season after the Red Wolves won 56-7 over the Mustangs in 2022 — the first game between the teams since an on-field fight in 2015.

4A GILA SCHEDULES

AMPHI

Head coach: Jorge Mendivil (40-54, 11th season at Amphi and 121-101 overall in 23rd season overall).

Panthers compete in the 4A Gila. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/30
Maryvale -- -- --
9/6
at Independence -- -- --
9/13
Flowing Wells -- -- --
9/20
at Canyon del Oro -- -- --
9/27
Cholla* -- -- --
10/4
at Douglas* -- -- --
10/11
Empire* -- -- --
10/18
at Rincon/University* -- -- --
10/25
Rio Rico* -- -- --
11/1
at Sahuarita* -- -- --

CHOLLA

Head coach: Paul Tripp (first year at Cholla and overall)

Chargers compete in the 4A Gila. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/29
at Copper Canyon -- -- --
9/6
Maryvale -- -- --
9/13
at Pueblo -- -- --
9/20
Sahuaro -- -- --
9/27
at Amphi* -- -- --
10/4
Rincon/University* -- -- --
10/11
Douglas * -- -- --
10/18
at Sahuarita* -- -- --
10/25
at Empire* -- -- --
11/1
Rio Rico* -- -- --

DOUGLAS

Head coach: Hunter Long (15-24, sixth year at Douglas and overall)

Bulldogs compete in the 4A Gila. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/30
ALA - Ironwood -- -- --
9/6
at Bisbee -- -- --
9/13
at Sahuaro -- -- --
9/20
Ironwood Ridge -- -- --
9/27
Empire* -- -- --
10/4
Amphi* -- -- --
10/11
at Cholla* -- -- --
10/18
at Rio Rico* -- -- --
11/1
Rincon/University* -- -- --
11/8
at Sahuarita* -- -- --

EMPIRE

Head coach: George Kelly (15-27, sixth season at Empire and overall)

Ravens compete in the 4A Gila. *Region game. Games are at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/30
Sierra Linda -- -- --
9/6
at La Joya -- -- --
9/13
at Ironwood Ridge -- -- --
9/20
Pueblo -- -- --
9/27
at Douglas* -- -- --
10/4
Sahuarita* -- -- --
10/11
at Amphi* -- -- --
10/25
Cholla* -- -- --
11/1
at Rio Rico* -- -- --
11/8
Rincon/University* -- -- --

RINCON/UNIVERSITY

Head coach: Johnny Chan (first year at Rincon/University and overall)

Rangers compete in the 4A Gila. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/30
Washington -- -- --
9/6
Palo Verde -- -- --
9/13
at Safford -- -- --
9/27
Rio Rico* -- -- --
10/4
at Cholla* -- -- --
10/11
at Vista Grande -- -- --
10/18
Amphi* -- -- --
10/25
Sahuarita* -- -- --
11/1
at Douglas* -- -- --
11/8
at Empire* -- -- --

RIO RICO

Head coach: Carlos Duran (first year at Rio Rico and overall)

Hawks compete in the 4A Gila. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.

Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/30
at Desert Sunrise -- -- --
9/5
Glendale -- -- --
9/13
Nogales -- -- --
9/19
at Florence -- -- --
9/27
at Rincon/University* -- -- --
10/11
Sahuarita* -- -- --
10/18
Douglas* -- -- --
10/25
at Amphi* -- -- --
11/1
Empire* -- -- --
11/8
at Cholla* -- -- --

SAHUARITA

Head coach: Jake Allen (first year at Sahuarita, 15-15, fifth year overall).

Mustangs compete in the 4A Gila. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/30
Alhambra -- -- --
9/6
at Deer Valley -- -- --
9/13
at Maricopa -- -- --
9/20
Flowing Wells -- -- --
10/4
at Empire* -- -- --
10/11
at Rio Rico* -- -- --
10/18
Cholla* -- -- --
10/25
at Rincon/University* -- -- --
11/1
Amphi* -- -- --
11/8
Douglas* -- -- --

2024 SOUTHERN ARIZONA COACHING CHANGES

School Class Former coach New coach
Benson
2A Dustin Cluff Chris Rasmussen
Bisbee
2A Shawn Holley Carlos Lopez
Canyon del Oro
4A Dustin Peace Scott McKee
Catalina
2A Greg McKinstry III Andy Fetsis
Catalina Foothills
4A Daniel Sainz Greg McKinstry III
Cholla
4A Virgil Henderson Paul Tripp
Desert Christian
1A (New program) Jason McKibben
Morenci
3A Rishard Davis Frankie Gonzalez
Pueblo
4A Jake Allen Sly Lewis
Rincon/University
4A Khyree Copeland Johnny Chan
Rio Rico
4A Jeff Scurran Carlos Duran
Sahuarita
4A Jake Price Jake Allen
Salpointe
6A Eric Rogers Pat Ryden
Willcox
2A Eric Hjalmarson Jeston Lotts
Rasmussen, Lopez, Fetsis, Tripp, McKibben, Gonzalez, Lewis, Chan, Duran and Ryden are in their first stints as head coaches in football.

3A SOUTH

MORENCI

Head coach: Frankie Gonzalez (first year at Morenci and overall).

Wildcats compete in the 3A South. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/23
ALA - Ironwood -- -- --
8/30
Round Valley -- -- --
9/6
Benson -- -- --
9/13
Pima -- -- --
9/20
at Blue Ridge -- -- --
10/4
at Safford* -- -- --
10/11
Pusch Ridge* -- -- --
10/18
at Fountain Hills -- -- --
10/25
at Sabino* -- -- --
11/1
Thatcher* -- -- --

PUSCH RIDGE

Head coach: Kent Middleton (34-11, fifth year at Pusch Ridge and overall)

Lions compete in the 3A South. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/30
at Show Low -- -- --
9/6
at Benjamin Franklin -- -- --
9/13
Yuma -- -- --
9/20
at Catalina Foothills -- -- --
9/27
San Tan Foothills -- -- --
10/4
Sabino* -- -- --
10/11
at Morenci* -- -- --
10/18
Coolidge -- -- --
10/25
at Thatcher* -- -- --
11/1
Safford* -- -- --

SABINO

Head coach: Ryan McBrayer (56-20, eighth year at Sabino and overall)

Sabercats compete in the 3A South. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/23
Coolidge -- -- --
8/30
Sahuaro -- -- --
9/6
at Crismon -- -- --
9/13
Mica Mountain -- -- --
9/20
Safford* -- -- --
10/4
at Pusch Ridge* -- -- --
10/11
at Thatcher* -- -- --
10/18
at ALA-West Foothills -- -- --
10/25
Morenci* -- -- --
11/1
at Mohave -- -- --

SAFFORD

Head coach: Robert Park (14-18, fourth season at Safford and overall)

Bulldogs compete in the 3A South. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/23
Payson -- -- --
8/30
at Pima -- -- --
9/6
Florence -- -- --
9/13
Rincon/University -- -- --
9/20
at Sabino* -- -- --
9/27
at Blue Ridge -- -- --
10/4
Morenci* -- -- --
10/11
at Round Valley -- -- --
10/18
Thatcher* -- -- --
11/1
at Pusch Ridge* -- -- --

THATCHER

Head coach: Daniel Jones (33-14, fifth season at Thatcher and overall.)

Eagles compete in the 3A South. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/23
Paradise Honors -- -- --
8/30
at Crismon -- -- --
9/6
Valley Christian -- -- --
9/13
at Round Valley -- -- --
9/20
Yuma Catholic -- -- --
10/4
at Show Low -- -- --
10/11
Sabino* -- -- --
10/18
at Safford* -- -- --
10/25
Pusch Ridge* -- -- --
11/1
at Morenci* -- -- --

2024 SOUTHERN ARIZONA COACHING CHANGES

School Class Former coach New coach
Benson
2A Dustin Cluff Chris Rasmussen
Bisbee
2A Shawn Holley Carlos Lopez
Canyon del Oro
4A Dustin Peace Scott McKee
Catalina
2A Greg McKinstry III Andy Fetsis
Catalina Foothills
4A Daniel Sainz Greg McKinstry III
Cholla
4A Virgil Henderson Paul Tripp
Desert Christian
1A (New program) Jason McKibben
Morenci
3A Rishard Davis Frankie Gonzalez
Pueblo
4A Jake Allen Sly Lewis
Rincon/University
4A Khyree Copeland Johnny Chan
Rio Rico
4A Jeff Scurran Carlos Duran
Sahuarita
4A Jake Price Jake Allen
Salpointe
6A Eric Rogers Pat Ryden
Willcox
2A Eric Hjalmarson Jeston Lotts
Rasmussen, Lopez, Fetsis, Tripp, McKibben, Gonzalez, Lewis, Chan, Duran and Ryden are in their first stints as head coaches in football.

2A SAN PEDRO

BENSON

Head coach: Chris Rasmussen (first year at Benson and overall)

Bobcats compete in the 2A San Pedro. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/23
at Shadow Mountain -- -- --
8/30
Phoenix Christian -- -- --
9/6
at Morenci -- -- --
9/20
Tombstone* -- -- --
9/27
at Bisbee* -- -- --
10/4
Palo Verde* -- -- --
10/11
Santa Rita -- -- --
10/18
Catalina* -- -- --
10/25
Willcox* -- -- --
11/1
at Tanque Verde* -- -- --

BISBEE

Head coach: Carlos Lopez (first year at Bisbee and overall)

Pumas compete in the 2A San Pedro. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/30
at Madison Highland -- -- --
9/6
Douglas -- -- --
9/13
Santa Cruz Valley -- -- --
9/20
at Catalina* -- -- --
9/27
Benson* -- -- --
10/4
Willcox* -- -- --
10/11
at Palo Verde* -- -- --
10/18
Tanque Verde* -- -- --
10/25
at Tombstone* -- -- --
11/1
at Santa Rita -- -- --

CATALINA

Head coach: Andy Fetsis (first year at Catalina and overall)

Trojans compete in the 2A San Pedro, *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/23
at Highland Prep -- -- --
8/30
NFL Yet -- -- --
9/6
at ALA-Anthem South -- -- --
9/20
Bisbee* -- -- --
9/27
at Tanque Verde* -- -- --
10/4
Santa Rita -- -- --
10/11
Tombstone* -- -- --
10/18
at Benson* -- -- --
10/25
Palo Verde* -- -- --
11/1
at Willcox* -- -- --

PALO VERDE

Head coach: Jamal Chatman (4-16, third year at Palo Verde and overall)

Titans compete in the 2A San Pedro. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/30
Antelope Union -- -- --
9/6
at Rincon/University -- -- --
9/13
at Coronado -- -- --
9/20
Tanque Verde* -- -- --
9/27
Santa Rita -- -- --
10/4
at Benson* -- -- --
10/11
Bisbee* -- -- --
10/18
at Willcox* -- -- --
10/25
at Catalina* -- -- --
11/1
Tombstone* -- -- --

SANTA RITA

Head coach: Douglas Smith (first year at Santa Rita and overall)

Eagles are in the 2A San Pedro but have no region games scheduled. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/30
Globe -- -- --
9/6
at San Pasqual -- -- --
9/12
at ALA-Anthem South -- -- --
9/20
Willcox -- -- --
9/27
at Palo Verde -- -- --
10/4
at Catalina -- -- --
10/11
at Benson -- -- --
10/18
at Tombstone -- -- --
10/25
Tanque Verde -- -- --
11/1
Bisbee -- -- --

TANQUE VERDE

Head coach: Jeffrey Bollnow (9-3, second year at Tanque Verde and overall)

Hawks compete in the 2A San Pedro. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L TV Opp
8/23
Phoenix Christian -- -- --
9/6
Glendale Prep -- -- --
9/13
at Cortez -- -- --
9/20
at Palo Verde* -- -- --
9/27
Catalina* -- -- --
10/4
at Tombstone* -- -- --
10/11
Willcox* -- -- --
10/18
at Bisbee* -- -- --
10/25
at Santa Rita -- -- --
11/1
Benson* -- -- --

TOMBSTONE

Head coach: Dominik Bonilla (15-16, fourth year at Tombstone and overall)

Yellowjackets compete in the 2A San Pedro. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/29
at Heritage Academy Laveen -- -- --
9/6
San Carlos -- -- --
9/13
Globe -- -- --
9/20
at Benson* -- -- --
9/27
at Willcox* -- -- --
10/4
Tanque Verde* -- -- --
10/11
at Catalina* -- -- --
10/18
Santa Rita -- -- --
10/25
Bisbee* -- -- --
11/1
at Palo Verde* -- -- --

WILLCOX

Head coach: Jeston Lotts (first year at Willcox, 61-40, 10 years overall).

Cowboys compete in the 2A San Pedro. *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/23
at Arizona Lutheran -- -- --
8/30
Tonopah Valley -- -- --
9/6
Show Low -- -- --
9/20
at Santa Rita -- -- --
9/27
Tombstone* -- -- --
10/4
at Bisbee* -- -- --
10/11
at Tanque Verde* -- -- --
10/18
Palo Verde* -- -- --
10/25
at Benson* -- -- --
11/1
Catalina* -- -- --

1A CONFERENCE

BABOQUIVARI

Head coach: Cody Garcia (5-4, second year at Baboquivari and overall)

Warriors compete in the 1A South (8-man football). *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.

Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/23
Fort Thomas* -- -- --
8/30
at St. David* -- -- --
9/6
Valley Union* -- -- --
9/20
at Ray* -- -- --
9/27
Duncan* -- -- --
10/4
at Hayden -- -- --
10/18
at San Manuel* -- -- --

DESERT CHRISTIAN

Head coach: Jason McKibben (first year at Desert Christian and overall)

Eagles are a 1A independent team (8-man football). Games at 7 p.m.

Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/23
at Bagdad -- -- --
8/30
Anthem Prep -- -- --
9/6
Desert Heights -- -- --
9/13
at Maryvale Prep -- -- --
9/20
Cicero Prep -- -- --
9/27
Salome -- -- --
10/4
Mohave Accelerated -- -- --
10/18
at St. David -- -- --

SAN MANUEL

Head coach: Ernest Ivy (29-17, sixth year at San Manuel and overall)

Miners compete in the 1A South (8-man football). *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/23
Lincoln Prep -- -- --
8/30
at Ray* -- -- --
9/6
at Duncan* -- -- --
9/13
Fort Thomas* -- -- --
9/20
at Valley Union* -- -- --
9/27
Cicero Prep -- -- --
10/4
at St. David* -- -- --
10/11
at Desert Heights -- -- --
10/18
Baboquivari* -- -- --

ST. DAVID

Head coach: Braden Davis (41-25, eighth year at St. David and overall)

Tigers compete in the 1A South (8-man football). *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.
Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/23
at Cicero Prep -- -- --
8/30
Baboquivari* -- -- --
9/6
Ray* -- -- --
9/13
at Duncan* -- -- --
9/20
Mogollon -- -- --
9/27
at Valley Union* -- -- --
10/4
San Manuel* -- -- --
10/10
at Fort Thomas* -- -- --
10/18
Desert Christian -- -- --

VALLEY UNION

Head coach: Skyler Hill (6-11, third year at Valley Union and overall)

Blue Devils compete in the 1A South (8-man football). *Region game. Games at 7 p.m.

Date Opponent W/L Ovr Reg
8/30
Desert Heights -- -- --
9/6
at Baboquivari* -- -- --
9/13
Ray* -- -- --
9/20
San Manuel* -- -- --
9/27
St. David* -- -- --
10/4
at Fort Thomas* -- -- --
10/11
at Duncan* -- -- --
10/18
Superior -- -- --

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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living” , which is available at Amazon. He became an educator in 2016 and is presently a special education teacher at Sunnyside High School in the Sunnyside Unified School District.

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