In short: Sierra Linda Bulldogs high school football (Phoenix, AZ), 2026 season: 8-1. Last game: L 7-14 vs Gila Ridge on October 23, 2026. Next: vs Westview, October 30, 2026. Schedule and results, player season stats, stat leaders, unit grades, ScorePirate ranking and the game-by-game log.
The turnover battle could decide Sierra Linda's next game, against Westview, and the recent returns favor Sierra Linda. Sierra Linda forced 0.8 takeaways per game over its first 5 games (5-0), #205 in section in that timeframe. Over the stretch of 4 games that followed (3-1), the Bulldogs have forced 2.2 takeaways per game, a 181% rise, #45 in section in that window. The schedule has a lot to do with it: Sierra Linda's last 4 opponents have averaged 1.5 per game, a #123 offense in section on the season, against 2.1 per game, #200 for the first 5. Measured against those opponents' norms (1.5 per game), Sierra Linda forced 49% more turnovers than those offenses usually give up. Overall, though, those opponents have been lower-level teams: their average SP Strength Index rating would rank just #194 in section. Meanwhile, Westview's ball security has been middle of the pack in recent weeks. The Knights have committed 1.8 giveaways per game over their last 4 games (1-3), #137 in section during that time. Those games came against a middle-of-the-pack set of defenses in section (1.3 per game on the season, which would rank #166). Against those norms, Westview turned it over 32% more than those defenses usually force. Overall, those opponents average an SP Strength Index rating that would rank #184 in section, a lower level of competition. Westview offers Sierra Linda a fair measuring stick for whether the trend is real.
The number to watch when Sierra Linda meets Westview is Sierra Linda's scoring defense. Sierra Linda allowed 5.8 points per game over its first 6 games (6-0), #7 in section through those games. Over the stretch of 3 games that followed (2-1), the Bulldogs have allowed 13.3 points per game, a 129% rise, #48 in section through that stretch. The schedule has a lot to do with it: Sierra Linda's last 3 opponents have averaged 23.8 points per game, a #147 offense in section on the season, against 17.6 points per game, #189 for the first 6. Measured against those opponents' norms (23.8 points per game), Sierra Linda held those offenses 44% below what they usually score. By that measure, the early pace looks more like the outlier than the recent one. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 3 opponents average a rating that would rank #188 in section, well above the first 6 (#230), so the dip has come against better teams overall. Meanwhile, Westview's offense has been middle of the pack in recent weeks. The Knights have averaged 26.7 points per game over their last 3 games (1-2), #122 in section over that stretch. Those games came against some of the weaker scoring defenses in section (30.9 points per game on the season, which would rank #182). Against those norms, Westview scored 14% less than those defenses usually allow. Overall, those opponents average an SP Strength Index rating that would rank #210 in section, a lower level of competition. Westview offers Sierra Linda a fair measuring stick for whether the trend is real.
NOTES
The biggest worry in Sierra Linda's season has been the direction of its defense. Sierra Linda allowed 3.1 yards per play (546 yards on 177 snaps) over its first 5 games (5-0), #3 in section within that period. Over the stretch of 4 games that followed (3-1), the Bulldogs have allowed 5.0 yards per play (759 yards on 151 snaps), a 63% rise, #44 in section across those games. The schedule has a lot to do with it: Sierra Linda's last 4 opponents have averaged 6.5 yards per play, a #128 offense in section on the season, against 4.5 yards per play, #203 for the first 5. Measured against those opponents' norms (6.5 yards per play), Sierra Linda held those offenses 23% below their usual yards per snap. By that measure, the early pace looks more like the outlier than the recent one. On the season, Sierra Linda ranks #9 in section in yards per play allowed. Westview's offense, #187 of 230 (5.1 yards per play), could be the get-right matchup Sierra Linda needs.
The Bulldogs allowed 2.9 yards per carry (280 yards on 96 rushes) over their first 4 games (4-0), #16 in section during those games. Few teams started faster in this department, and few have cooled off as sharply since. In the 5 games since that hot start (4-1), Sierra Linda has allowed 4.0 yards per carry (495 yards on 125 rushes), a 36% rise, #36 in section during that period. The schedule has a lot to do with it: Sierra Linda's last 5 opponents have averaged 5.2 yards per carry, a #148 rushing attack in section on the season, against 3.8 yards per carry, #200 for the first 4. Measured against those opponents' norms (5.2 yards per carry), Sierra Linda held those rushing attacks 23% below their usual yards per carry. By that measure, the early pace looks more like the outlier than the recent one. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 5 opponents average a rating that would rank #191 in section, well above the first 4 (#242), so the dip has come against better teams overall. On the season, the Bulldogs rank #16 in section in run defense. Westview's ground game sits in the middle of the pack, #131 in section (5.5 yards per carry).
Sierra Linda's offense from the opening weeks has gone missing since. Sierra Linda averaged 10.7 yards per play (1,683 yards on 158 snaps) over its first 5 games (5-0), #13 in section during that stretch. Over the stretch of 4 games that followed (3-1), the Bulldogs have averaged 8.0 yards per play (1,490 yards on 187 snaps), a 25% drop, #65 in section over that period. The schedule has a lot to do with it: Sierra Linda's last 4 opponents have averaged 7.6 yards per play, a #158 defense in section on the season, against 9.8 yards per play, #223 for the first 5. On the season, Sierra Linda ranks #25 in section in yards per play. Westview's defense, #235 of 251 (10.4 yards per play), could be the get-right matchup Sierra Linda needs.
Something changed for Sierra Linda's ground game after the first 5 games of the season. The Bulldogs averaged 7.0 yards per carry (572 yards on 82 rushes) over their first 5 games (5-0), #69 in section over that timeframe. Over the stretch of 4 games that followed (3-1), Sierra Linda has averaged 8.6 yards per carry (1,009 yards on 118 rushes), a 23% rise, #36 in section over that span. The schedule has a lot to do with it: Sierra Linda's last 4 opponents have averaged 6.7 yards per carry, a #147 run defense in section on the season, against 9.6 yards per carry, #230 for the first 5. Measured against those opponents' norms (6.7 yards per carry), Sierra Linda ran for 28% more per carry than those run defenses usually allow. Overall, though, those opponents have been lower-level teams: their average SP Strength Index rating would rank just #194 in section. On the season, the Bulldogs rank #41 in section in rushing. The trend lines up well against Westview, whose run defense ranks just #226 of 251 (9.3 yards per carry).
Sierra Linda's offense has gone quiet as the season has progressed. Sierra Linda averaged 43.7 points per game over its first 3 games (3-0), #27 in section in that timeframe. In the 6 games since that hot start (5-1), the Bulldogs have averaged 34.2 points per game, a 22% drop, #67 in section in that window. The schedule has a lot to do with it: Sierra Linda's last 6 opponents have averaged 29.6 points per game, a #169 scoring defense in section on the season, against 34.1 points per game, #194 for the first 3. Measured against those opponents' norms (29.6 points per game), Sierra Linda scored 15% more than those defenses usually allow. By that measure, the early pace looks more like the outlier than the recent one. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 6 opponents average a rating that would rank #199 in section, well above the first 3 (#246), so the dip has come against better teams overall. Sierra Linda was held to 14 points or fewer 2 times in those games, including 7 against Gila Ridge on 10/23. On the season, Sierra Linda ranks #45 in section in scoring. Westview's defense, #237 of 255 (43.8 points per game), could be the get-right matchup Sierra Linda needs. Sierra Linda is 3-0 this season when it scores 44 or more, and 5-1 when it doesn't.
TIDBITS (12 found)
• Club Sierra Linda has gone 9 straight games holding the opponent under 150 rushing yards (August 28, 2026 through October 23, 2026), going 8-1 over that stretch, a school-record 9 straight in the 5 seasons on record.
• Club Sierra Linda is 16-1 all time when holding the opponent under 6.0 yards per play. Sierra Linda's last loss when holding the opponent under 6.0 yards per play was October 28, 2022 against Youngker (L, 6-7).
• Club Sierra Linda is 12-2 all time when holding the opponent under 5.0 yards per carry. Sierra Linda's last loss when holding the opponent under 5.0 yards per carry was October 23, 2026 against Gila Ridge (L, 7-14).
• Club Sierra Linda is 11-1 all time when holding the opponent under 10 points. Sierra Linda's last loss when holding the opponent under 10 points was October 28, 2022 against Youngker (L, 6-7).
• Club Sierra Linda has scored 115 points over its last 3 games (38.3 a game, October 9, 2026 through October 23, 2026) -- its 3rd-highest 3-game total on record; the most is 131, from August 28, 2026 through September 11, 2026.
• Club Sierra Linda has gone 4 straight games being held under 200 passing yards (October 2, 2026 through October 23, 2026), going 3-1 over that stretch, the program's longest such streak since 2024 (6 games).
• Player Jordan Vargas has gone 14 straight games throwing a touchdown pass, the longest such streak of his career.
• Player Brandon Hadnot Jr. has gone 7 straight games catching a touchdown pass, the longest such streak of his career.
• Player Jordan Vargas has 757 passing yards over his last 3 games (252.3 a game, September 3, 2026 through September 17, 2026) -- his most in a 3-game stretch on record.
• Player Brandon Hadnot Jr. has 307 receiving yards over his last 3 games (102.3 a game, September 3, 2026 through September 17, 2026) -- his most in a 3-game stretch on record.
• Player Jayden Young has 24 tackles over his last 3 games (8.0 a game, September 3, 2026 through September 17, 2026) -- his most in a 3-game stretch on record.
• Player Robert Andrade has 30 tackles over his last 3 games (10.0 a game, September 3, 2026 through September 17, 2026) -- his most in a 3-game stretch on record.
MILESTONE WATCH
Sierra Linda
Jordan Vargas needs 121 passing yards for 1,000 (averaging 219.8 a game)
Brandon Hadnot Jr. needs 115 receiving yards for 500 (averaging 96.2 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 17 game; last updated Sep 19; 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 (sacks/INT 4/9, sacks allowed 3/9 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 75.2/100 (+44 yds/gm vs average)
Rush Offense: grade 37.7/100 (-36 yds/gm vs average)
Pass Defense: grade 82.2/100 (-54 yds/gm vs average)
Rush Defense: grade 64.2/100 (-32 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
vs
WESTVIEW
1-8
14.2
LAST YEAR
SL finished 2025 at 8-3. Made the playoffs (1 postseason game(s) on file; exact round/result not available). Notable win: 31-28 over COPPER CANYON (COPPER CANYON finished 60% that season). Toughest loss: 18-33 to GILA RIDGE (15-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)
SL HAS PERFORMED BEST THIS DATA SET WHEN...
• SL holds its opponents under 6.0 yards per play (.999), and has won 11 straight when doing so
• SL holds its opponents under 8.0 yards per attempt (.999), and has won 9 straight when doing so
• SL averages 5.0+ yards per carry (.999), and has won 8 straight when doing so
• SL holds its opponents under 5.0 yards per carry (.900), but most recently lost to Gila Ridge when doing so
• SL's defense has limited opponents to under 150 rush yds in 9 straight games (08/28/2026-10/23/2026), going 8-1 over that stretch.
• SL's offense has averaged 249.3 rush yards per game over their last 3 games. Their 24-game average is 140.4 rush yards per game. (+78%)
• SL's defense has averaged 7.6 points allowed per game over their last 7 games. Their 30-game average is 19.1 points allowed per game. (-60%)
• SL's offense has averaged 0.6 giveaways per game over their last 12 games. Their 15-game average is 1.4 giveaways per game. (-57%)
• SL's offense has averaged 8.8 YPC over their last 10 games. Their 15-game average is 5.7 YPC. (+53%)
• SL's offense has averaged 38.3 points scored per game over their last 3 games. Their 30-game average is 25.4 points scored per game. (+51%)
• SL holds its opponents under 150 rushing yards and under 200 passing yards
• SL averages 6.4+ yards per play (SL's own median) (.999)
• SL averages 5.7+ yards per carry (SL's own median) (.999)
• SL's offense has failed to reach 200 pass yds in 4 straight games (10/02/2026-10/23/2026), going 3-1 over that stretch.
• SL holds its opponents under 4.2 yards per attempt (SL's own median) (.999)
SL's defense has averaged 7.6 points allowed per game over their last 7 games. Their 30-game average is 19.1 points allowed per game. (-60%)
SL's defense has averaged 7.4 YPA over their last 3 games. Their 14-game average is 5.4 YPA. (+38%)
SL's defense has averaged 145.0 total yards per game over their last 10 games. Their 15-game average is 198.3 total yards per game. (-27%)
SL's defense has averaged 86.1 rush yards per game over their last 10 games. Their 15-game average is 116.3 rush yards per game. (-26%)
SL's defense has averaged 66.2 pass yards per game over their last 10 games. Their 14-game average is 87.8 pass yards per game. (-25%)
SL's defense has averaged 3.4 YPC over their last 10 games. Their 15-game average is 4.6 YPC. (-24%)
SL's defense has averaged 1.8 takeaways per game over their last 5 games. Their 15-game average is 1.5 takeaways per game. (+23%)
SL's defense has averaged 3.9 YPP over their last 10 games. Their 15-game average is 4.9 YPP. (-21%)
(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 -- -13.8 in 2022 to -6.3 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
10/28/2026 20:54