Notes from the North: QB Pugliese throws 3 TDs in 49-3 opening win for Prescott

September 1, 2025 by Brian M. Bergner Jr., AZPreps365


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PHOENIX — Giovanni Pugliese completed 6 of 8 passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns and Prescott made quick work of Greenway in a 49-3 win on Friday night.

Braylon Johonson had 11 carries for 98 yards and a score, while Trace Overton and Jacob Chamberlain each had touchdowns in the victory for the Badgers (1-0, 0-0 4A Grand Canyon), which returns home for Week 2 against Thunderbird on Friday, Sept. 5.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

4A FOOTBALL

LEE WILLIAMS 62, WICKENBURG 7

KINGMAN — Lucas Leist racked up 222 yards on 15 carries and scored four touchdowns in a 62-7 win for Lee Williams over Wickenburg on Friday night.

Morgan Quinn completed 9 of 11 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Cooper Cronk on the score.

The Volunteers (1-0, 0-0 4A Grand Canyon) host Kingman in Week 2 on Friday, Sept. 5. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

SNOWFLAKE 28, COCONINO 23

FLAGSTAFF — Brenner Green had 21 carries for 164 yards and three touchdowns to lead Snowflake past Coconino 28-23 on Friday night.

Jacob LaDuke was 8 of 11 for 136 yards passing, while Christian Smith caught three balls for 90 yards in the victory for the Lobos (1-0, 0-0 4A Desert Sky), which have title aspirations after making the state semifinals a season ago, only to lose to Arizona College Prep 59-21.

Snowflake hosts ALA-West Foothills in Week 2 on Friday, Sept. 5. Kickoff set for 7 p.m.

Coconino (0-1, 0-0 4A Grand Canyon) hosts St. Mary’s, which just defeated Mingus 37-15 on Friday night.

3A FOOTBALL

BLUE RIDGE 30, SAFFORD 14

SAFFORD — The Yellowjackets amassed 410 yards on the ground, including Breckan Sarchet’s 19-carry, 186-yard effort in a 30-14 win for Blue Ridge over Safford on Friday night.

Sarchet had two rushing touchdowns on the evening, and Blue Ridge (2-0, 0-0 3A Mountain) has opened the season with two straight wins after defeating Chinle 42-0 in Week 1.

The Yellowjackets head to Valley Christian on Friday, Sept. 5, with a kickoff set for 7 p.m. The Trojans are 2-0 this year having beaten Sabino (18-14) and Show Low (6-0) in Week 1 and 2, respectively.

ODYSSEY INSTITUTE 13, WINSLOW 12

WINSLOW — The Bulldogs nearly pulled off an upset Friday night after trailing 13-0 in the final minutes but rallied for two scores and unfortunately came up short in a 13-12 loss to Odyssey Institute.

Jace Collins had 12 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown for the Minotaurs (2-0, 0-0 3A West), which have playoff aspirations in 2025.

Winslow quarterback Gino Quinones was just 12 of 26 for 142 yards and an interception, but he ran 16 times for 108 yards and two late scores to keep the Bulldogs (0-2, 0-0 3A North) in it.

The Bulldogs head to Valley (Sanders) in Week 3 on Friday, Sept. 5. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

1A FOOTBALL

BAGDAD AT SEDONA, FORFEIT

SEDONA — After trailing 36-0 in the first half at Cicero Prep. and calling for a forfeit, the Sedona football program decided it was best to forfeit their first home opener in six years due to injuries and not enough players being ready to go.

“After careful consideration and discussions with our coaching staff, we have made the difficult decision to cancel our first home football game against Bagdad,” a statement read from the Sedona athletic department. “This decision was not made lightly, as we know our players and fans are excited to kick off the season.”

The statement continued that the program continues to onboard new players and that they wanted each player properly trained to meet AIA requirement stating that every player must have 10 padded practices to be ready for competition.

“The coaching staff has recommended we delay playing a game for one more week,” the statement read. “Please know that we are fully committed to developing this program for our students and community.”

Sedona (0-2, 0-0 1A North) travels to Mayer on Friday, Sept. 5. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Bagdad (2-0, 0-0 1A West), which hasn’t played a game this season yet due to two forfeits, hosts Mogollon on Sept. 5, 7 p.m.

ST. DAVID 38, BABOQUIVARI 0

SELLS — Vincent Ciccariello completed 6 of 8 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown, Chase Pacheco had 123 yards and two touchdowns and St. David beat Baboquivari 38-0 on Friday night.

St. David (2-0, 2-0 1A South) made the 1A state semifinals a season ago, losing to eventual state champion Hayden 53-6.

The Tigers travel to San Manuel in Week 3 on Friday, Sept. 5. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on X at @AzPreps365Brian or on Facebook at @Five2MediaWorks. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.