Photo: The Cougars in action at home
The Chino Valley Cougars look to be more competitive this coming season following a winless 3A West Region campaign, and finishing (2-8) overall in 2023.
The two wins came against Bourgade Catholic 23-2, and Window Rock 34-12. Both schools are on the schedule again this season.
Unfortunately, the Cougars will have to travel to Page for the second straight year to start the season, where they lost 42-13 in their last meeting. The Sand Devils won the 3A North Region winning all five games, and despite that, they failed to qualify for the playoffs ending their season at (7-3).
The Cougars host Kingman Academy on August 30. The 2A Tigers were (3-7) last season and beat the Cougars 18-6 in Kingman last year.
They have back-to-back home games versus Kingman Academy Tigers on August 30 and Bourgade Catholic Golden Eagles on September 6. The 2A Tigers beat the Cougars in Kingman 18-6 last season. Chino Valley picked up their first win last year 23-2 over the Golden Eagles in Phoenix.
One of the most exciting games on the Cougars schedule last season was a 35-31 loss at home to Maryvale. The 4A Panthers were one of were (3-7) a year ago. This season Chino Valley travels to Phoenix on September 13 for the rematch and looking for the W.
After a bye week, the Cougars host Payson on September 27. The Longhorns blanked Chino Valley last year 46-0. It does not get any easier as the Cougars travel to Bullhead City to take on a 4A program in Mohave. The Thunderbirds have found new life after dropping down a division in football, winning the 3A West Region, but losing twice to Sabino, one came in the final game of the regular season and then again in the semifinals to finish (11-2).
The following week another road trip on I-40, this time to Kingman, to play the Bulldogs, (5-5) in 2023, on October 11. Last year the Bulldogs beat the Cougars 28-6.
The second win of last season came against Window Rock 34-12 at home. This year they make the trip to the northwest part of the state on October 18 in hopes of winning for the second straight year.
The final two games of the regular season will be home games versus the Wickenburg Wranglers, (5-5) last year, on October 25 and River Valley Dust Devils, (7-4) a year ago, on November 1. The Cougars did not fare well against either team falling 67-0 to the Wranglers and 55-0 to the Dust Devils.
All games start at 7 pm.
