In short: Cactus Cobras high school football (Glendale, AZ), 2026 season: 7-2. Last game: W 67-6 vs West Point on October 23, 2026. Next: at Sunrise Mountain, October 30, 2026. Schedule and results, player season stats, stat leaders, unit grades, ScorePirate ranking and the game-by-game log.
The battle on the ground could decide Cactus' next game, against Sunrise Mountain, and the recent returns favor Cactus. Cactus averaged 1.7 yards per carry (134 yards on 80 rushes) over its first 3 games (1-2), #215 in section in that timeframe. In the 6 games since that slow start (6-0), the Cobras have averaged 5.6 yards per carry (936 yards on 166 rushes), a 237% rise, #124 in section in that window. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Cactus' last 6 opponents have averaged 6.3 yards per carry, a #128 run defense in section on the season, against 4.9 yards per carry, #61 for the first 3. Measured against those opponents' norms (6.3 yards per carry), Cactus ran for 10% less per carry than those run defenses usually allow. So the improvement is real, but it still trails what those opponents usually give up. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 6 opponents average a rating that would rank #114 in section, well below the first 3 (#41), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. Conversely, Sunrise Mountain's run defense has been one of section's better units in recent weeks. The Mustangs have allowed 4.4 yards per carry (596 yards on 136 rushes) over their last 6 games (5-1), #39 in section during that time. Those games came against some of the weaker rushing attacks in section (4.0 yards per carry on the season, which would rank #195). Against those norms, Sunrise Mountain allowed 9% more per carry than those rushing attacks usually gain. Something has to give when Cactus' surging ground game meets one of section's better units in Sunrise Mountain's.
The number to watch when Cactus meets Sunrise Mountain is Cactus' scoring. Cactus averaged 18.0 points per game over its first 3 games (1-2), #176 in section through those games. In the 6 games since that slow start (6-0), the Cobras have averaged 51.7 points per game, a 187% rise, #1 in section through that stretch. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Cactus' last 6 opponents have averaged 31.5 points per game, a #183 scoring defense in section on the season, against 18.7 points per game, #71 for the first 3. Measured against those opponents' norms (31.5 points per game), Cactus scored 64% more than those defenses usually allow. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 6 opponents average a rating that would rank #114 in section, well below the first 3 (#41), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. Conversely, Sunrise Mountain's defense has been one of section's better units in recent weeks. The Mustangs have allowed 18.0 points per game over their last 6 games (5-1), #64 in section over that stretch. Those games came against a middle-of-the-pack set of offenses in section (23.2 points per game on the season, which would rank #149). Against those norms, Sunrise Mountain held those offenses 22% below what they usually score. Something has to give when Cactus' surging offense meets one of section's better units in Sunrise Mountain's. Cactus is 7-0 this season when it scores 22 or more, and 0-2 when it doesn't.
NOTES
The biggest shift in Cactus' season has come in its ball security. Cactus committed 2.2 giveaways per game over its first 5 games (3-2), #185 in section within that period. Over the stretch of 4 games that followed (4-0), the Cobras have committed 0.2 giveaways per game, an 89% drop, #7 in section across those games. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Cactus' last 4 opponents have averaged 1.2 per game, a #175 defense in section on the season, against 2.0 per game, #65 for the first 5. Measured against those opponents' norms (1.2 per game), Cactus turned it over 80% less than those defenses usually force. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 4 opponents average a rating that would rank #144 in section, well below the first 5 (#44), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. On the season, Cactus ranks #89 in section in giveaways. That form gets a real test against Sunrise Mountain, whose defense ranks #38 in section (2.3 per game).
Cactus' defense has come a long way since the season's early weeks. The Cobras allowed 19.6 points per game over their first 5 games (3-2), #83 in section during those games. Over the stretch of 4 games that followed (4-0), Cactus has allowed 4.5 points per game, a 77% drop, #8 in section during that period. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Cactus' last 4 opponents have averaged 21.3 points per game, a #158 offense in section on the season, against 34.3 points per game, #68 for the first 5. Measured against those opponents' norms (21.3 points per game), Cactus held those offenses 79% below what they usually score. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 4 opponents average a rating that would rank #144 in section, well below the first 5 (#44), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. On the season, the Cobras rank #28 in section in scoring defense. That form gets a real test against Sunrise Mountain, whose offense ranks #63 in section (35.1 points per game).
Something changed for Cactus' run defense after its first 4 games. Cactus allowed 4.7 yards per carry (556 yards on 119 rushes) over its first 4 games (2-2), #65 in section during that stretch. In the 5 games since that slow start (5-0), the Cobras have allowed 3.0 yards per carry (313 yards on 105 rushes), a 36% drop, #12 in section over that period. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Cactus' last 5 opponents have averaged 4.3 yards per carry, a #183 rushing attack in section on the season, against 7.4 yards per carry, #56 for the first 4. Measured against those opponents' norms (4.3 yards per carry), Cactus held those rushing attacks 31% below their usual yards per carry. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 5 opponents average a rating that would rank #123 in section, well below the first 4 (#43), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. On the season, Cactus ranks #28 in section in run defense. Sunrise Mountain's ground game sits in the middle of the pack, #144 in section (5.2 yards per carry).
The Cobras averaged 5.1 yards per play (840 yards on 165 snaps) over their first 3 games (1-2), #174 in section over that timeframe. Few teams started slower in this department, and few have turned it around as sharply since. In the 6 games since that slow start (6-0), Cactus has averaged 7.1 yards per play (1,984 yards on 279 snaps), a 40% rise, #103 in section over that span. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Cactus' last 6 opponents have averaged 6.9 yards per play, a #126 defense in section on the season, against 6.2 yards per play, #84 for the first 3. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 6 opponents average a rating that would rank #114 in section, well below the first 3 (#41), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. On the season, the Cobras rank #135 in section in yards per play. That form gets a real test against Sunrise Mountain, whose defense ranks #52 in section (5.6 yards per play).
One of Cactus' most reliable areas lately has been its defense. Cactus allowed 5.9 yards per play (886 yards on 150 snaps) over its first 3 games (1-2), #82 in section in that timeframe. In the 6 games since that slow start (6-0), the Cobras have allowed 3.6 yards per play (922 yards on 255 snaps), a 39% drop, #8 in section in that window. The schedule deserves some of the credit: Cactus' last 6 opponents have averaged 6.0 yards per play, a #152 offense in section on the season, against 8.0 yards per play, #62 for the first 3. Measured against those opponents' norms (6.0 yards per play), Cactus held those offenses 39% below their usual yards per snap. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 6 opponents average a rating that would rank #114 in section, well below the first 3 (#41), so the recent production comes against lower-level teams overall. On the season, Cactus ranks #22 in section in yards per play allowed. Sunrise Mountain's offense sits in the middle of the pack, #124 in section (6.6 yards per play).
TIDBITS (9 found)
• Club Cactus has won 6 straight, and a win would make it 7 in a row. The last time they won 7 or more in a row was 2022, a run of 8.
• Club Cactus has gone 7 straight games committing fewer than 3 turnovers (September 10, 2026 through October 23, 2026), going 6-1 over that stretch, a school-record 7 straight in the 5 seasons on record.
• Club Cactus has gone 5 straight games rushing for 100+ yards (September 25, 2026 through October 23, 2026), going 5-0 over that stretch, matching the program record of 5 straight on record.
• Club Cactus is 23-0 all time when scoring 40+ points in the games on file (23 such games).
• Club Cactus has scored 148 points over its last 3 games (49.3 a game, October 9, 2026 through October 23, 2026) -- its 4th-highest 3-game total on record; the most is 173, from October 17, 2025 through October 31, 2025.
• Player Donta Sutton has gone 15 straight games without catching a touchdown pass. The last time he caught a touchdown pass was November 22, 2024 against Kellis (W, 21-6) — 1 TD catch.
• Player Sione Moala Jr has gone 13 straight games without recording two or more tackles for loss. The last time he had two tackles for loss was September 5, 2025 against Millennium (W, 28-27) — 2 tackles for loss.
• Player Jeremiah Angulo has gone 6 straight games without running for a touchdown. The last time he ran for a touchdown was October 24, 2025 against West Point (W, 48-0) — 1 rushing TD.
• Player Donta Sutton has gone 6 straight games without intercepting a pass. The last time he intercepted a pass was October 10, 2025 against Yuma Catholic (L, 7-30) — 1 interception.
MILESTONE WATCH
Cactus
Jacob Martin needs 75 passing yards for 1,000 (averaging 231.2 a game)
Win chances are the site's own game projections where one is on file, otherwise the SP Strength Index gap with a small home edge. The realistic range covers 80% of outcomes (10th to 90th percentile).
Every player with a stat on file, listed only where he has one. Open the arrow beside a name for his game-by-game line. Stats through the Sep 18 game; last updated Sep 24; roster and numbers checked Sep 10.
Click a column heading to sort. MIN hides players below that many attempts.
PPG/OPP PPG use every played game on file. YPG/PLAYS-PER-GAME columns only ever come from games with a full box score on file, which can be a smaller sample than GP -- see the coverage note below when that's the case for this team.
Averages use only games with that number on file (defense 8/9, sacks/INT 4/9, sacks allowed 4/9 games). SACKS ALW comes from the opponent's box score; TO FORCED is takeaways; TO MAR is takeaways minus giveaways, and its bottom cell is the season total. Dashes mean not on file.
UNIT INDEX
Pass Offense: grade 78.8/100 (+55 yds/gm vs average)
Rush Offense: grade 40.9/100 (-30 yds/gm vs average)
Pass Defense: grade 93.9/100 (-89 yds/gm vs average)
Rush Defense: grade 91.9/100 (-105 yds/gm vs average)
Unit grades: 0-100 league percentile, adjusted for the opponents faced.
OPPONENT TRACKER
(full explanation: Appendix, Note 2)
DATE
SITE
OPPONENT
THEIR RECORD
THEIR PPG
2026-10-30
at
SUNRISE MOUNTAIN
6-3
35.1
LAST YEAR
CAC finished 2025 at 8-3. Made the playoffs (1 postseason game(s) on file; exact round/result not available). Notable win: 52-35 over SUNNYSLOPE (SUNNYSLOPE finished 73% that season). Toughest loss: 14-24 to DESERT MOUNTAIN (10-point margin).
"N/A" stands in for a box score that does not have stats entered. A total followed by a count in parentheses covers only the games with that stat on file.
TALKING POINTS (15 storylines)
CAC HAS PERFORMED BEST THIS DATA SET WHEN...
• CAC averages 6.0+ yards per play (.999), and has won 9 straight when doing so
• CAC holds its opponents under 6.0 yards per play (.818), and has won 9 straight when doing so
• CAC commits fewer than 2 giveaways (.900), and has won 8 straight when doing so
• CAC holds its opponents under 5.0 yards per carry (.818), and has won 9 straight when doing so
• CAC's offense has averaged 0.3 giveaways per game over their last 3 games. Their 17-game average is 1.3 giveaways per game. (-74%)
• CAC's defense has averaged 6.0 points allowed per game over their last 3 games. Their 34-game average is 19.0 points allowed per game. (-68%)
• CAC is 10-1 (.909) when it wins the turnover battle
• CAC averages 6.3+ yards per play (CAC's own median) (.999)
• CAC holds its opponents under 3.8 yards per carry (CAC's own median) (.999)
• CAC's offense has exceeded 100 rush yds in 5 straight games (09/25/2026-10/23/2026), going 5-0 over that stretch.
• CAC's offense has exceeded 150 rush yds in 5 straight games (09/25/2026-10/23/2026), going 5-0 over that stretch.
• CAC averages 5.0+ yards per carry on its way to 150+ rushing yards
• CAC's offense has averaged 50.8 points scored per game over their last 5 games. Their 34-game average is 35.5 points scored per game. (+43%)
• CAC's defense has averaged 4.3 YPA over their last 5 games. Their 16-game average is 7.0 YPA. (-39%)
• CAC holds its opponents under 150 rushing yards and under 200 passing yards
• CACTUS has held the opponent under 14 in 4 straight games (10/2/26–10/23/26). It has not reached 5 straight in the last 4 years of games on file (2023-present).
• CACTUS has won 6 straight (9/18/26–10/23/26). It has not reached 7 straight in the last 4 years of games on file (2023-present).
• CACTUS has forced 2+ turnovers in 3 straight games (10/9/26–10/23/26). It has not reached 4 straight in the last 4 years of games on file (2023-present).
• CACTUS has won by 20+ in 2 straight games (10/16/26–10/23/26). It has not won by 20+ in 3 straight since 9/18/26–10/2/26 (2026). It has reached 3 straight 2 times in the last 4 years.
CAC's defense has averaged 6.0 points allowed per game over their last 3 games. Their 34-game average is 19.0 points allowed per game. (-68%)
CAC's defense has averaged 4.3 YPA over their last 5 games. Their 16-game average is 7.0 YPA. (-39%)
CAC's defense has averaged 3.4 YPP over their last 5 games. Their 16-game average is 5.2 YPP. (-35%)
CAC's defense has averaged 78.2 rush yards per game over their last 5 games. Their 16-game average is 114.1 rush yards per game. (-31%)
CAC's defense has averaged 102.7 pass yards per game over their last 7 games. Their 16-game average is 146.7 pass yards per game. (-30%)
CAC's defense has averaged 192.8 total yards per game over their last 5 games. Their 16-game average is 260.8 total yards per game. (-26%)
CAC's defense has averaged 5.1 YPC over their last 3 games. Their 16-game average is 4.2 YPC. (+23%)
(moved to the Appendix, Data Export 1, to keep this section shorter -- the full spreadsheet-paste table is there unchanged)
APPENDIX
Full-length explanations and full-size data exports for the shortened notes and relocated tables referenced throughout this report, numbered in the order their pointers appear above.
Explanatory Notes
Note 1 -- SEASON OUTLOOK
Every remaining game is projected from schedule-adjusted ratings; already-played games carry their real result. Records are simulated distributions, not a single guess -- MOST LIKELY FINAL is the single most probable record and its own probability, PROJECTED RECORD is the season's expected win total expressed in record form (an average across every simulated outcome, so it can land on a fraction of a game).
Note 2 -- OPPONENT TRACKER -- why some cards have no record shown
Only meaningful for an opponent who is ALSO a tracked team in the library -- an opponent with no games on file here at all shows the date and site alone.
Note 3 -- MOST IMPORTANT NUMBERS -- how a number is scored
Every split this report computes is scored on how strong the number is and how much it sets this team apart from its opponent and the rest of the field, and the top 5 per team are listed. A condition needs at least 8 occurrences to count.
Full Data Exports
Data Export 1 -- TRENDS — TAB-SEPARATED (10 columns)
The program's index across 5 seasons on file -- 21.0 in 2022 to 9.1 in 2026.
These graphs were chosen by the program from this season's most notable numbers. Build your own -- any stat against any other, for any mix of teams, seasons or players, with a JPEG download -- in the Graph Builder.
Report Produced by ScorePirate | Commitment and offer data sourced from 247Sports | GENERATED
10/29/2026 09:41