Marcos de Niza Wins Region Title Over Tempe
Marcos de Niza secured the Black Canyon Region title and a 4A playoff spot with a 36-30 win.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Football
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Marcos de Niza defeated Tempe High School 36-30 to claim the Black Canyon Region title. The victory helps both teams move forward as they conclude their regular seasons with identical 8-2 records.
Why it matters
The win cements Marcos de Niza as the regional champion while officially securing their position in the upcoming 4A playoffs. Meanwhile, the loss forces Tempe to shift its focus toward planning for the next season.
Quarterback Brigham Brown has recorded 11 touchdown passes and two interceptions since October 2, 2026. The game featured a high volume of officiating activity, with more than 25 penalties called, including eight 15-yard infractions.
The players
Marcos de Niza
This high school football program competes within the Black Canyon Region of the 4A conference.
Tempe High School
This educational institution fields a competitive varsity football team in the city of Tempe.
Brigham Brown
He is a 5-foot-7 quarterback who has demonstrated high efficiency in the passing game this season.
Christian Garcia
He is an impactful offensive player who reached a 1,200-yard rushing total during the regular season.
DeVaughn Traylor
He scored the game-winning touchdown during the final quarter of the regional championship matchup.
The details
DeVaughn Traylor scored the decisive touchdown with 7:46 left in the game, while the Marcos de Niza defense sealed the win with two critical goal-line stands. Christian Garcia, who has totaled 1,200 rushing yards this season, contributed to the offense in the third quarter despite playing with a cast on his left hand.
Timeline
The game between Marcos de Niza and Tempe occurred on October 30, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This win alters the postseason landscape by granting Marcos de Niza a guaranteed slot in the 4A playoffs. The loss effectively ends the championship pursuit for Tempe, redirecting their organizational focus toward future recruitment and off-season development.
Marcos de Niza successfully enters the 4A playoff bracket with this win. Tempe concludes their season with an 8-2 record, ensuring they will not be participating in the upcoming postseason tournament.
The takeaway
Discipline remains a significant factor for teams, as evidenced by the high volume of penalties called in this regional matchup. Fans and players should monitor official league bracket announcements to see how the regular season performance translates to playoff matchups.
Further reading
For more local gridiron updates, see Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Azpreps365.
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