The Tucson High Magnet School varsity football team will host Desert Edge in a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 5A tournament, where both teams will battle for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football Playoff
Who: Desert Edge vs Tucson High Magnet School
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 5A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Desert Edge vs. Tucson High Magnet School

As the 2024 AIA State Football Championships heat up, one exciting playoff matchup features Desert Edge High School and Tucson High Magnet School. These two teams are set to face off in a highly anticipated game, and both come into the contest with strong records and unique strengths.

Desert Edge: A Solid Season with Strong Defense

Desert Edge High School has had a competitive season, finishing with a 7-4 overall record. With a .636 win percentage, the Desert Edge team has proven its ability to compete, particularly in section play, where they posted a solid 4-1 record. However, their away games have proven to be more challenging, with a 3-2 record on the road.

In terms of scoring, Desert Edge has averaged 24.8 points per game. They tend to start slow, with only 3.4 points in the first quarter, but find their rhythm in the second quarter, scoring an average of 8.2. They finish the game strong, posting 7.9 points in the fourth quarter. With a balanced offensive attack, Desert Edge’s ability to stay competitive throughout the game will be key as they face the Tucson High Magnet School team.

Tucson High Magnet School: Dominant on Both Sides of the Ball

On the other hand, Tucson High Magnet School has had an impressive season, with a 9-2 overall record and an .818 win percentage. The Badgers have been especially strong in their section, finishing 4-1, and their undefeated 5-0 record on the road is a testament to their resilience and ability to perform away from home.

Tucson High has been an offensive powerhouse, averaging 35.2 points per game. They start strong, with an impressive 13.0 points in the first quarter, and maintain consistent scoring throughout the game. The Badgers’ offense slows down slightly in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter with 2.8 points, but their early dominance gives them a substantial advantage. Tucson’s high-powered offense will undoubtedly be a significant challenge for Desert Edge.

Key Matchup Factors

When comparing the two teams, Tucson High holds a clear edge in overall offensive power, averaging more than 10 points per game above Desert Edge. Their explosive first-quarter scoring and consistent production throughout the game give them an advantage. On the other hand, Desert Edge’s strong defense and ability to close games with solid scoring in the final quarter make them a dangerous opponent.

One of the most important aspects of this matchup will be Desert Edge’s ability to contain Tucson’s offense, especially early in the game. If Desert Edge can minimize Tucson’s explosive first-quarter output, they might have a chance to keep the game close. Tucson, however, will look to capitalize on their high-scoring ability and maintain momentum throughout the contest.

As the high school football season progresses, the matchup between Desert Edge and Tucson High Magnet School is one that promises to showcase some intense competition. Desert Edge, with a 7-4 record, faces Tucson High Magnet School, which has posted a 9-2 record this season. Both teams have displayed impressive capabilities on offense and defense, making this a thrilling contest that could go either way.

Team Stats Comparison

Offensive Strength:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Tucson High Magnet School averages 130.1 rushing yards per game, slightly ahead of Desert Edge’s 107.2 yards. Noah Chanez (65.7 rushing yards per game) is the primary ball carrier for Tucson, while Aryon Thomas (50.8 yards per game) leads Desert Edge’s rushing attack.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Desert Edge has the edge in the passing game, averaging 217.2 passing yards per game compared to Tucson’s 165.9 yards. Blake Roskopf has been a standout for Desert Edge, throwing for 251.8 yards per game, while Tucson’s Derek Mesa (165.9 yards per game) leads the air attack for his team.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Desert Edge also leads in receiving yards, averaging 216.7 yards per game, with David Cabrera contributing 50.5 yards per game. Tucson averages 146.9 receiving yards per game, with Jonathon Diaz (51.9 yards per game) being their top target.
• Total Yards Per Game: Desert Edge racks up 324.4 total yards per game, while Tucson accumulates 296.0 total yards. Blake Roskopf is the driving force behind Desert Edge’s offense, contributing 258.2 total yards per game.

Defensive Prowess:

• Tackles Per Game: Desert Edge averages 66.5 tackles per game, outpacing Tucson’s 51.4 tackles. Joshua Hopphaus (9.9 tackles per game) has been a key contributor to Desert Edge’s defense, while Tucson’s Dominick Drow (8.6 tackles per game) plays an important role for the defense.
• Sacks Per Game: Desert Edge’s defense has been more effective at applying pressure on the quarterback, averaging 3.0 sacks per game compared to Tucson’s 1.7 sacks. Jerry Washington (1.3 sacks per game) has been a standout for Desert Edge.
• Points Per Game: Tucson High Magnet School has been the more potent offensive team, averaging 29.5 points per game, compared to Desert Edge’s 24.7 points per game. Noah Chanez (7.3 points per game) has been a consistent contributor to Tucson’s scoring efforts.

Key Player Comparisons

Desert Edge’s Key Players:

• Aryon Thomas (#5) leads the rushing attack with 50.8 yards per game, providing balance to Desert Edge’s offense.
• Blake Roskopf (#7) has been a standout quarterback for Desert Edge, throwing for 251.8 passing yards per game and accumulating 258.2 total yards per game.
• David Cabrera (#10) is the team’s top receiver, averaging 50.5 receiving yards per game and making key catches.
• Joshua Hopphaus (#24) has been a key defensive force with 9.9 tackles per game, anchoring the defense.
• Jerry Washington (#15) has contributed 1.3 sacks per game, helping to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Tucson High Magnet School’s Key Players:

• Noah Chanez (#8) is the team’s top rusher, averaging 65.7 yards per game and adding a dimension to the offense with his running ability.
• Derek Mesa (#6) is Tucson’s leading passer, throwing for 165.9 yards per game and directing the offense.
• Jonathon Diaz (#5) is a primary target in the receiving game, averaging 51.9 yards per game and contributing to Tucson’s offensive output.
• Dominick Drow (#12) has been a key defender with 8.6 tackles per game, providing a steady presence on the field.
• Taysean Romero (#44) has been able to get to the quarterback, contributing 0.5 sacks per game.

Record Breakdown

Desert Edge: Desert Edge has been competitive this season with a 7-4 overall record. The team is 4-1 in league play, proving their strength within the region. Their non-league record of 2-3 shows that they’ve faced tough competition but have the potential to rise to the occasion. They’re solid at home with a 4-2 record, though their away record is slightly weaker at 3-2.

Tucson High Magnet School: Tucson has had an excellent season, going 9-2 overall. The team is 4-1 in league play and 4-1 in non-league matchups. Tucson has performed well both at home and away, with a 4-2 record at home and an impressive 5-0 record on the road.

In-State and Out-of-State Records

• Desert Edge: Desert Edge has posted a 7-4 record in-state, with no games played outside of Arizona.
• Tucson High Magnet School: Tucson has an equally strong in-state record of 9-2 and has not faced any out-of-state opponents.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Both teams have faced Desert Edge, and both came away with victories. Desert Edge defeated them 39-14 on September 20, showcasing their strength. Tucson, however, defeated Desert Edge 22-0 earlier in the season, emphasizing their ability to win close games.

Conclusion

The Desert Edge vs. Tucson High Magnet School game promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle. Desert Edge boasts a powerful offense led by Blake Roskopf, while Tucson will rely on the dynamic running ability of Noah Chanez and the leadership of Derek Mesa. Defensively, Desert Edge has shown more ability to generate pressure with more sacks, while Tucson will look to stop the Desert Edge offense with solid tackling from Dominick Drow and Taysean Romero.

With both teams having strong records and unique strengths, this game could go either way, depending on which team can execute their game plan most effectively. Fans can expect a tense, competitive game as both teams battle for supremacy.