In short: Safford Bulldogs high school football (Safford, AZ), 2026 season: 4-6. Last game: L 12-24 vs Sabino on October 29, 2026. Schedule and results, player season stats, stat leaders, unit grades, ScorePirate ranking and the game-by-game log.
Pass Off 33.5 · Rush Off 39.5 · Pass Def 54.7 · Rush Def 61.0
LEAGUE
3A EAST
ENROLLMENT
846 STUDENTS (2023-24) · PUBLIC SECONDARY
NUMBERS TO NOTE
#111
SP Strength Index (of 276)
4-6
2026 record
-2.3
avg scoring margin, pts/gm
UNIT INDEX — GRADE (YDS VS AVG)
TEAM
PASS O
RUSH O
PASS D
RUSH D
SAFFORD
33.5 (-48)
39.5 (-33)
54.7 (-10)
61.0 (-24)
HEAD-TO-HEAD GAME LOG
CLEAR
SEASON NOTES
The biggest worry in Safford's season has been the direction of its defense. Safford allowed 7.3 points per game over its first 3 games (2-1), #19 in section in that timeframe. In the 7 games since that hot start (2-5), the Bulldogs have allowed 27.6 points per game, a 276% rise, #149 in section in that window. The schedule has a lot to do with it: Safford's last 7 opponents have averaged 26.4 points per game, a #134 offense in section on the season, against 17.6 points per game, #191 for the first 3. On the season, Safford ranks #97 in section in scoring defense.
Safford's run defense from the opening weeks has gone missing since. The Bulldogs allowed 3.9 yards per carry (390 yards on 101 rushes) over their first 5 games (3-2), #35 in section during that time. In the 5 games since that hot start (1-4), Safford has allowed 6.9 yards per carry (1,064 yards on 155 rushes), a 78% rise, #153 in section through those games. The schedule has a lot to do with it: Safford's last 5 opponents have averaged 6.0 yards per carry, a #107 rushing attack in section on the season, against 5.3 yards per carry, #149 for the first 5. Measured against those opponents' norms (6.0 yards per carry), Safford allowed 14% more per carry than those rushing attacks usually gain. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 5 opponents average a rating that would rank #73 in section, well above the first 5 (#121), so the dip has come against better teams overall. On the season, the Bulldogs rank #104 in section in run defense.
Something changed for Safford's offense after the first 7 games of the season. Safford averaged 25.7 points per game over its first 7 games (4-3), #130 in section through that stretch. Over the stretch of 3 games that followed (0-3), the Bulldogs have averaged 4.0 points per game, an 84% drop, #237 in section over that stretch. The schedule has a lot to do with it: Safford's last 3 opponents have averaged 20.4 points per game, a #87 scoring defense in section on the season, against 28.3 points per game, #161 for the first 7. Measured against those opponents' norms (20.4 points per game), Safford scored 80% less than those defenses usually allow. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 3 opponents average a rating that would rank #60 in section, well above the first 7 (#115), so the dip has come against better teams overall. Safford was held to 14 points or fewer 3 times in those games, including 0 against Pusch Ridge Christian Academy on 10/16. On the season, Safford ranks #175 in section in scoring.
One of Safford's shakiest areas lately has been its ball security. The Bulldogs committed 1.7 giveaways per game over their first 6 games (3-3), #133 in section within that period. Over the stretch of 4 games that followed (1-3), Safford has committed 2.5 giveaways per game, a 50% rise, #208 in section across those games. The schedule has a lot to do with it: Safford's last 4 opponents have averaged 1.7 per game, a #106 defense in section on the season, against 1.2 per game, #168 for the first 6. Measured against those opponents' norms (1.7 per game), Safford turned it over 49% more than those defenses usually force. On the season, the Bulldogs rank #184 in section in giveaways.
Safford's offense has stalled out as the season has developed. Safford averaged 6.1 yards per play (1,570 yards on 256 snaps) over its first 5 games (3-2), #143 in section during those games. In the 5 games since that hot start (1-4), the Bulldogs have averaged 3.6 yards per play (789 yards on 219 snaps), a 41% drop, #214 in section during that period. The schedule has a lot to do with it: Safford's last 5 opponents have averaged 6.5 yards per play, a #103 defense in section on the season, against 7.3 yards per play, #146 for the first 5. Measured against those opponents' norms (6.5 yards per play), Safford gained 44% less per snap than those defenses usually allow. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 5 opponents average a rating that would rank #73 in section, well above the first 5 (#121), so the dip has come against better teams overall. On the season, Safford ranks #195 in section in yards per play.
TIDBITS (7 found)
• Club Safford has lost 3 straight, and a loss would make it 4 in a row. The last time they lost 4 or more in a row was 2025, a run of 4.
• Club Safford has gone 16 straight games being held under 200 passing yards (September 18, 2025 through October 29, 2026), going 5-11 over that stretch, a school-record 16 straight in the 5 seasons on record.
• Club Safford has gone 9 straight games committing 1+ turnover (August 28, 2026 through October 29, 2026), going 3-6 over that stretch, a school-record 9 straight in the 5 seasons on record.
• Player Dane Jacobson has gone 2 straight games catching a touchdown pass, the longest such streak of his career.
• Player Dane Jacobson has never had a game rushing for 100+ yards for Safford, over a 20-game career on record. His career high is 97, set September 4, 2026 against Seton Catholic (L, 6-22).
• Player Andrew Baker has never had a game rushing for 100+ yards for Safford, over a 14-game career on record. His career high is 74, set September 12, 2025 against Winslow (W, 27-7).
• Player Lamarr Ellis has never had a game making 10 or more tackles for Safford, over a 13-game career on record. His career high is 9, set September 12, 2025 against Winslow (W, 27-7).
SCHEDULE STRENGTH
Safford has played a tougher-than-average schedule in the pool so far (#70 of 260).
Schedule so far · 1 = hardest
#70 of 260
avg opponent rating 6.6 over 10 games · 0 vs top-25 AZ section
Morenci W 44-0@Blue Rid… W 21-0@Seton Ca… L 6-22Coolidge L 21-40@San Tan … W 34-7Thatcher L 7-42Winslow W 47-0@Pusch Ri… L 0-45@Florence L 0-35Sabino L 12-24
Each bar is one opponent, placed by where its rating ranks in this pool (tall and red = top 10; short and green = bottom half). Hatched bars are games still to play; the dashed line is today.
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 4 game; last updated Sep 9; roster and numbers checked Sep 10.
Click a column heading to sort. MIN hides players below that many attempts.
Safford fell to Sabino 12-24 at home on Thursday, October 29, its 3rd straight loss. Safford ran for 80 yards against 27 passing, and the defense turned a 312-yard night for Sabino into 24 points.
Season complete at 4-6 with no games on file beyond a normal 10-game regular season -- read as no postseason appearance. This library still has no playoff-round/bracket source, so this label comes from game count alone, not a confirmed bracket result.
SAF — 2026 OVERALL AVERAGES
SPLIT
GP
PPG
OPP PPG
YPG
OPP YPG
PLAYS/G
OPP PLAYS/G
OVERALL
10
19.2
21.5
235.9
260.2
47.5
38.9
HOME
5
26.2
21.2
239.8
259.2
45.4
39.0
ROAD
5
12.2
21.8
232.0
261.5
49.6
38.8
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 9/10, sacks/INT 3/10, sacks allowed 3/10 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 33.5/100 (-48 yds/gm vs average)
Rush Offense: grade 39.5/100 (-33 yds/gm vs average)
Pass Defense: grade 54.7/100 (-10 yds/gm vs average)
Rush Defense: grade 61.0/100 (-24 yds/gm vs average)
Unit grades: 0-100 league percentile, adjusted for the opponents faced.
LAST YEAR
SAF finished 2025 at 2-8. Missed playoffs. Notable win: 27-7 over WINSLOW (WINSLOW finished 40% that season). Toughest loss: 14-20 to MORENCI (6-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)
SAF HAS PERFORMED BEST THIS DATA SET WHEN...
• SAF averages 6.0+ yards per play (.800), and has won 4 straight when doing so
• SAF averages 8.0+ yards per attempt (.800), and has won 2 straight when doing so
SAF — OFFENSE SCORING SITUATION — 2024-26 (30 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
Scores <10
0-14
.000
2.9
Scores 10-19
2-5
.286
13.4
Scores 20-29
4-1
.800
23.2
Scores 30-39
1-0
1.000
34.0
Scores 40+
3-0
1.000
44.3
SAF — OFFENSE — 2026 (10 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
STRK
YPA 8.0+
4-1
.800
33.4
W2
YPA < 8.0
0-5
.000
5.0
L5
Pass Yds 200+
--
--
--
--
Pass Yds < 200
4-6
.400
19.2
L3
Rush Yds 100+
4-2
.667
28.8
W2
Rush Yds < 100
0-4
.000
4.8
L4
Rush Yds 150+
3-2
.600
27.8
W1
Rush Yds < 150
1-4
.200
10.6
L4
YPC 5.0+
3-0
1.000
37.3
W3
YPC < 5.0
1-6
.143
11.4
L4
YPP 6.0+
4-0
1.000
36.5
W4
YPP < 6.0
0-6
.000
7.7
L6
YPP 7.0+
2-0
1.000
45.5
W2
YPP < 7.0
2-6
.250
12.6
L4
Turnovers 1+
3-6
.333
16.4
L3
Turnovers < 1
1-0
1.000
44.0
W1
Turnovers 2+
0-5
.000
7.8
L5
Turnovers > 2
0-4
.000
9.8
L4
SAF — OFFENSE SCORING SITUATION — 2026 (10 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
Scores <10
0-4
.000
3.2
Scores 10-19
0-1
.000
12.0
Scores 20-29
1-1
.500
21.0
Scores 30-39
1-0
1.000
34.0
Scores 40+
2-0
1.000
45.5
SAF — DEFENSE — 2024-26 (30 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
STRK
YPA 8.0+
0-6
.000
37.3
L6
YPA < 8.0
3-3
.500
17.5
L1
18 games without this stat on file
Pass Yds 200+
0-1
.000
40.0
L1
Pass Yds < 200
3-8
.273
26.3
L3
18 games without this stat on file
Rush Yds 100+
1-7
.125
32.8
L5
Rush Yds < 100
2-2
.500
16.8
W1
18 games without this stat on file
Rush Yds 150+
0-5
.000
36.4
L5
Rush Yds < 150
3-4
.429
21.0
W1
18 games without this stat on file
YPC 5.0+
0-7
.000
34.9
L7
YPC < 5.0
3-2
.600
17.0
W1
18 games without this stat on file
YPP 6.0+
0-7
.000
37.1
L7
YPP < 6.0
3-2
.600
13.8
L1
18 games without this stat on file
YPP 7.0+
0-6
.000
37.3
L6
YPP < 7.0
3-3
.500
17.5
L1
18 games without this stat on file
Turnovers 1+
3-8
.273
26.6
L3
Turnovers < 1
1-1
.500
21.5
W1
17 games without this stat on file
Turnovers 2+
3-4
.429
19.0
L2
17 games without this stat on file
Turnovers > 2
2-1
.667
8.0
L1
17 games without this stat on file
SAF — DEFENSE SCORING SITUATION — 2024-26 (30 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
Allows <10
8-0
1.000
3.4
Allows 10-19
2-0
1.000
13.0
Allows 20-29
0-6
.000
23.7
Allows 30-39
0-7
.000
34.6
Allows 40+
0-7
.000
44.1
SAF — DEFENSE — 2026 (10 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
STRK
YPA 8.0+
0-5
.000
36.8
L5
YPA < 8.0
3-1
.750
6.0
L1
1 games without this stat on file
Pass Yds 200+
--
--
--
--
Pass Yds < 200
3-6
.333
23.1
L3
1 games without this stat on file
Rush Yds 100+
1-5
.167
31.0
L5
Rush Yds < 100
2-1
.667
7.3
W1
1 games without this stat on file
Rush Yds 150+
0-4
.000
36.5
L4
Rush Yds < 150
3-2
.600
12.4
W1
1 games without this stat on file
YPC 5.0+
0-5
.000
33.6
L5
YPC < 5.0
3-1
.750
10.0
W1
1 games without this stat on file
YPP 6.0+
0-5
.000
36.8
L5
YPP < 6.0
3-1
.750
6.0
L1
1 games without this stat on file
YPP 7.0+
0-5
.000
36.8
L5
YPP < 7.0
3-1
.750
6.0
L1
1 games without this stat on file
Turnovers 1+
3-6
.333
23.1
L3
Turnovers < 1
1-0
1.000
7.0
W1
Turnovers 2+
3-4
.429
19.0
L2
Turnovers > 2
2-1
.667
8.0
L1
SAF — DEFENSE SCORING SITUATION — 2026 (10 Gms)
SPLIT
REC
WIN%
PPG
Allows <10
4-0
1.000
1.8
Allows 10-19
--
--
--
Allows 20-29
0-2
.000
23.0
Allows 30-39
0-1
.000
35.0
Allows 40+
0-3
.000
42.3
ON THE BRINK
SAFFORD
• SAFFORD has been held under 100 rushing in 3 straight games (10/16/26–10/29/26). It has not reached 4 straight in the last 4 years of games on file (2023-present).
• SAFFORD has been held under 100 passing in 5 straight games (10/1/26–10/29/26). It has not reached 6 straight in the last 4 years of games on file (2023-present).
• SAFFORD has committed 2+ turnovers in 3 straight games (10/16/26–10/29/26). It has not reached 4 straight in the last 4 years of games on file (2023-present).
• SAFFORD has been held under 14 in 3 straight games (10/16/26–10/29/26). It has not been held under 14 in 4 straight since 10/3/25–10/31/25 (2025). It has reached 4 straight 2 times in the last 4 years and has reached a high of 5 straight (2024) in that span.
SAF's defense has averaged 34.7 points allowed per game over their last 3 games. Their 30-game average is 24.9 points allowed per game. (+39%)
SAF's defense has averaged 11.1 YPA over their last 3 games. Their 12-game average is 8.1 YPA. (+37%)
SAF's defense has averaged 212.8 rush yards per game over their last 5 games. Their 12-game average is 161.1 rush yards per game. (+32%)
SAF's defense has averaged 152.7 pass yards per game over their last 3 games. Their 12-game average is 116.6 pass yards per game. (+31%)
SAF's defense has averaged 350.7 total yards per game over their last 3 games. Their 12-game average is 277.7 total yards per game. (+26%)
(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 -- 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 -- 4.8 in 2022 to 7.7 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
11/03/2026 17:44