Bronco Athletics

Brophy-Williams Field Featured in Fiesta Bowl Friday Night Showdown Game of the Week

8/19/2024

SCOTTSDALE, AZ (August 16, 2024) – Expanding on a successful first season that elevated youth and scholastic football, Fiesta Bowl Friday Night Showdown returns with games across Arizona and featuring the state's top programs. In addition, a three-game Flag Football Showdown has been added to place a spotlight on the fast-growing sport of girls flag football.

This program is part of a strategic initiative to increase meaningful engagement between the Fiesta Sports Foundation and all levels of the football community across the state, including the Preseason All-State High School teams, youth clinics, Legacy Football Clinics and partnerships with the Arizona Interscholastic Association ("AIA") and USA Football.

Kicking off on August 22 on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, the program will feature on-site fan experiences and engagement, in addition to student-athlete and student-section highlights and recognition across non-linear and social media platforms.

"The power of Fiesta Bowl Friday Night Showdown was on display last season, as schools, student-athletes, coaches and fans benefitted from the additional engagement, experiences and exposure," said Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director & CEO Erik Moses. "We are honored to help bring excitement to grassroots and high school football across the state of Arizona, where the elite level of play is recognized nationally by college football's top programs for recruiting. Visiting San Carlos as that community rebounds from the Watch Fire is a fitting start for our second season to celebrate the game at all levels. Adding girls flag football was important to recognize the talent, dedication and future opportunities as the sport explodes in participation and quality."

The 12-game Friday Night Showdown schedule includes seven of the eight schools that competed in the 2023 AIA Open State Championship bracket, including Open champion Liberty High School, plus defending 6A champion Saguaro and last year's 5A champion in Higley. Showcased games will take place in San Carlos, East Valley, West Valley, Scottsdale, Phoenix and Tucson. The full schedule, from August 22 through November 8, can be found below or by clicking here.

Reflecting the rapid growth of girls flag football in Arizona, a three-game slate for Flag Football Showdown makes its debut this year on Thursday, September 19, with a matchup featuring Highland at defending 5A champion Campo Verde. The schedule includes defending 6A champion Mountain View (Mesa) at Millennium on Tuesday, October 15, and Hamilton at Chandler on Thursday, November 7. In its second season as a sanctioned sport by the AIA, flag football has doubled its participation to 102 teams for the 2024 season.

"The AIA is a proud supporter of the Fiesta Sports Foundation and the continued opportunities that the organization provides to bring additional attention to Arizona high school football," said Dr. Jim Dean, AIA Associate Executive Director and former Superintendent. "The Fiesta Bowl Friday Night Showdown and Flag Football Showdown will shine a spotlight on the outstanding football student-athletes throughout the state and highlight the exceptional play across Arizona."

At each site, fans will enjoy engaging activities, including a t-shirt toss, voting for the Fiesta Bowl Player of the Game, on-site games and social media shoots, visits from Fiesta Bowl mascot Spirit and more.

Fiesta Bowl Friday Night Showdown and Flag Football Showdown are important community outreach initiatives as part of the Fiesta Sports Foundation's community impact through the sport of football and through charitable support in the areas of youth, sports and education.

2024 Fiesta Bowl Friday Night Showdown schedule:
Thursday, August 22 – ALA - Anthem South at San Carlos
Friday, August 30 – Brophy at Williams Field
Friday, September 6 – Sandra Day O'Connor at Liberty
Friday, September 13 – Queen Creek at Perry
Friday, September 20 – Desert Edge at Higley
Friday, September 27 – Chandler at Highland
Friday, October 4 – Centennial at Saguaro
Friday, October 11 – Hamilton at Basha
Friday, October 18 – Desert Mountain at Horizon
Friday, October 25 – Buena at Marana
Friday, November 1 – ALA - Gilbert North at Notre Dame Prep
Friday, November 8 – Red Mountain at Mountain View (Mesa)

2024 Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Showdown schedule:
Thursday, September 19 – Highland at Campo Verde
Tuesday, October 15 – Mountain View (Mesa) at Millennium
Thursday, November 7 – Hamilton at Chandler

ABOUT THE FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION
Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education.