Football Game Preview: Payson Longhorns vs. Thatcher Eagles + Official Tickets

The Payson Longhorns are taking a road trip to take on the Thatcher Eagles at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.

Payson took a loss when they played away from home back in September, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed last Friday. They took their game with ease, bagging a 43-14 victory over Blue Ridge. The high-flying offensive performance was a huge turnaround for the Longhorns considering their six-point performance the contest before.

Nolan Keeney

Rushing Yards (Career)

10/03/25 vs Blue Ridge	80
08/29/25 @ Page	57
11/08/24 @ ALA - Ironwood	34
08/22/25 vs Fountain Hills	31
11/01/24 @ Show Low	27

Nolan Keeney was his usual excellent self, rushing for 80 yards and one TD on only seven carries, while also throwing for 116 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Those 80 rushing yards gave him a new career-high. Nathan Tsosie was another key player, rushing for 70 yards and one score.

Meanwhile, Thatcher never let their opponents score on Friday. They claimed a resounding 61-0 win over San Tan Foothills. Winning may never get old, but the Eagles sure are getting used to it with their fourth in a row.

Thatcher's victory bumped their record up to 6-1. As for Payson, their win bumped their record up to an identical 6-1.