If Sunnyside and Tucson High plan to be playing football in November, both need a win this Friday.
The problem?
The two schools play each other in a Division I showdown.
When the AIA releases this week's seedings on Tuesday, Tucson should be just inside the top 16, while Sunnyside should be right outside.
The Badgers were ranked No. 17 before their 24-21 overtime win over Canyon del Oro. Sunnyside was one spot ahead at No. 16 before losing by one point to Yuma Cibola, also in overtime.
The top 16 teams in each division qualify for the playoffs, so this week's game between the two rivals is even more important than normal.
Since losing 45-42 at Sierra Vista Buena, Tucson (5-3) has won three straight, including a pair of three-point victories.
Sunnyside (5-3) was on a three-game winning streak before the setback to Cibola. The Blue Devils have a tough finish to the season. After playing Tucson on Friday, Sunnyside has to travel to 6-2 Buena for its final regular-season game of the season.
Friday's game time is set for 7 p.m. at Tucson High.
Friday-Saturday
• Boys golf: On the final week of the regular season, several local teams will take to the site of the state tournament - Silverbell Golf Course - for the Santa Rita Invitational.
The two-day invitational, which begins Friday, will provide Division II golfers a good look at Silverbell before it hosts the D-II state championship Oct. 29-30.
Division I golfers will head to Laveen for state on those same days.
Local teams on hand for the Santa Rita Invitational this weekend include Amphitheater, Cholla, Cienega, Douglas, Ironwood Ridge, Marana, Nogales, Palo Verde, Pueblo, Rincon/University, Sabino, Sahuarita, Sahuaro, Santa Rita, Sierra Vista Buena, Tucson and Walden Grove.
Of those 17 teams, 11 are in Division II.
There isn't a warm-up tournament on the girls side. The Division II state girls tournament is also set for Silverbell on Oct. 26-27. Like the boys, the Division I girls also head to Laveen to play at the Aguila Golf Course.
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