Football Game Preview: Mesa Jackrabbits vs. Basha Bears + How To Watch

The Mesa Jackrabbits will venture away from home to challenge the Basha Bears at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Mesa is coming into the contest hot, having won their last three games.

Mesa is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Arizona's top teams: Perry, who was ranked 20th at the time (Mesa was ranked 25th). The Jackrabbits walked away with a 24-17 victory over the Pumas on Friday.

Mesa's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Boogie Anetema, who threw for 290 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Rio Arnett helped Anetema out on the ground, rushing for 171 yards.

Mesa was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 216 rushing yards. They are a perfect 3-0 when they've run for more than 200 yards.

Kainalu Skipps

Total Tackles

10/24/25 vs Perry	11
10/03/25 @ Salpointe Catholic	10
10/17/25 @ Cesar Chavez	9

Mesa didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Kainalu Skipps and Markel Mayers. Skipps also made 11 total tackles, which is notable because Mesa is undefeated when he posts at least three total tackles, but 2-3 otherwise.

Meanwhile, after soaring to 58 points the game before, Basha was a bit more limited in their game on Friday. They took a 28-12 bruising from Hamilton. The matchup marked the Bears' lowest-scoring contest so far this season.

Having lost for the first time this season, Basha fell to 7-1. As for Mesa, their record is now 5-3.

Friday's game might be decided on the ground. Mesa has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 183.6 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Basha struggles in that department as they've been averaging 161.9 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's matchup turns into a tough fight on the ground.

Mesa was dealt a bruising 47-3 defeat at the hands of Basha when the teams last played back in September of 2024. Can the Jackrabbits avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.