MESA — Mesa Eastmark used a successful passing game to score three times in the third quarter and twice in the fourth to pull away from Florence and earn a 42-5 win that made them Central Region champions Friday.

FLORENCE — There was the usual handshake line after Florence’s 48-7 homecoming victory over Sahuarita Friday, but then there was more.

FLORENCE — The Florence Gophers have had an up and down season. Going into their match against South Central region rival San Tan Foothills with an 18-15-3 record, the team looked for improvement and to get an early edge against the Sabercats.

FLORENCE — American Leadership Academy-Ironwood was always in the game, only trailing by a touchdown at the half and going into the fourth quarter. But the Warriors never managed to get the upper hand, and Florence came away with a 35-21 win Friday.

FLORENCE – With a key player on the injured list but others healing and back in the lineup, Florence is preparing for a home game against American Leadership Academy-Ironwood Friday.

QUEEN CREEK — After a halftime score of 21-0, Florence fought back in the second half Friday against Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin.

SAN TAN VALLEY — Senior Kaleb Lewis delighted Florence fans with some big carries, including three touchdown runs, as the Gophers blanked San Tan Foothills 24-0 Friday night.

PHOENIX — Florence’s fans were treated to some big touchdown runs by Tommy Carberry, Daven “Day Day” Neal and Isaac Sandoval Friday as the Gophers enjoyed their first win of the season.

SHOW LOW — The Show Low Cougars hosted the Florence Gophers Friday night, and the night started with a tribute to first responders.

FLORENCE — Having a swim season last year amid pandemic restrictions was no simple thing.

FLORENCE — Thatcher looked like they were about to make their first score of the night when Florence’s Tommy Carberry intercepted them in the end zone.

FLORENCE – The Gophers kept up with the Thunderbirds of Bullhead City Mohave for the first half Friday, only trailing by a touchdown after Mohave’s Izaac Robles made a 22-yard catch in the end zone with 12 seconds left.

APACHE JUNCTION - The Apache Junction Prospectors’ 2020 season ended on an unceremonious note. After a 3-2 regular season, they were forced to forfeit their play-in game due to COVID concerns throughout the district.

COOLIDGE — Relentless. Fierce. Ten years old.

FLORENCE – This season’s Gophers are going to be somewhat young in places, but they do have some good seniors, Coach Bill McKane said.

FLORENCE — The town of Florence is accepting registrations for the upcoming Jr. NFL Youth Flag Football League. League play will begin in September on weeknights and Saturdays at the Florence Aquatic Center Fields. Divisions include co-ed ages 4 and 5; ages 6 to 8, boys 9 to 13 and girls 9 t…

COOLIDGE — Conner Goade began his boxing career by losing his first seven matches in a row.

SIGNAL PEAK – Central Arizona College pitcher Mat Olsen nearly had the opportunity to live out his dream last year in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft.

FLORENCE — Gophers standout Malik Payton has decided to continue his basketball career at a Division-I school in Indianapolis.

FLORENCE — A standout Gopher softball player got one last chance to wear her red Florence gear on a softball field, playing among the state’s best.

FLORENCE

FLORENCE — Scott Howard, Florence’s head football coach for seven seasons, has accepted an assistant coaching position at Queen Creek High School, where he looks forward to coaching his children.

CHANDLER — With all the hype heading into the game being placed in the home team’s dugout, the underdog Florence Gophers weren’t given much of a shot. And while their season did end at the hands of the Valley Christian Trojans, they showed for much of the game that they could hang in there w…

FLORENCE -- Unlike most of her track and field teammates, there was no way for Mackenzie Heikes to work on her craft once the world shut down due to COVID-19. Not fully, anyway.

CHANDLER — Several Florence High School athletes were top finishers at the Al Nelson Invitational 2021 track meet Friday and Saturday at Valley Christian High School in Chandler.

FLORENCE – The annual Joe Padilla Baseball Tournament, for the last 30-plus years, has been a way for the Gophers to hone the fundamentals and begin the season right. With no tournaments this year due to the pandemic, Florence missed out.

FLORENCE — This season’s young Gophers softball team couldn’t get many breaks early in the season — until last week in Parker.

SAN TAN VALLEY — Florence was well represented at Poston Butte High School on March 18, qualifying three wrestlers to compete with the best at the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s Division III State Championship.

SNOWFLAKE — Plan A was dismal, so Snowflake needed to go to Plan B or go home from the state basketball playoffs.

FLORENCE — This is what is looks like when Florence plays its best. From the opening tip, the Gophers displayed uncommon energy and focus in a 77-60 win over American Leadership Academy-Ironwood in the first round of the 3A state playoffs Wednesday.

THATCHER — Thatcher beat the Florence girls for the third time and by the biggest margin this season in the opening round of the 3A state basketball playoffs Tuesday night, 51-17.