The 2026 high school football season in Southern Arizona's 1A division is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet, with three local programs — San Manuel, Baboquivari and St. David — each navigating distinct challenges as they prepare for a slate of games that will test their depth and resilience.
Early road tests for San Manuel
San Manuel finished last season at 4‑6 and fell in the first round of the 1A state playoffs. Head coach Ernest Ivy, now in his eighth year, carries a 36‑29 record and will guide a squad that opens with four of its first five games on the road, a stretch that includes a showdown against the defending champion Hayden, who went 12‑0 last year.
Baboquivari, still seeking its first win in eight attempts, is led by Cody Garcia, whose overall record stands at 6‑20. The team is slated to play four of its seven games away, facing playoff‑bound opponents such as Desert Heights Prep and San Manuel, while its only home match in Southern Arizona will be against San Manuel on October 16.
St. David's new challenges
St. David, coming off a 7‑3 season, is coached by Braden Davis, who boasts a 57‑30 record over his tenure. After a cancellation forced a reshuffle, the team added a contest against Colorado’s Mancos, an 8‑man program with a 48‑11 record over the past five seasons, and will still meet tough rivals like Hayden, against whom it has dropped five straight games, including two in the postseason.
The upcoming schedule underscores a season where travel, historic rivalries and unexpected matchups will test the mettle of these Southern Arizona teams, promising fans a slate of hard‑fought contests as they vie for playoff positioning.