Maggie Nieto is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Agua Fria High School for AZPreps365.com.

The Agua Fria Owls (3-3) will host the Willow Canyon Wildcats (2-4) on Friday as both teams are looking bounce back from losses.

Both teams have gone in opposite directions over the past month before their 5A Northwest Valley regional matchup, which is the second for the Owls and and first for the Wildcats. 

Since Sept. 13, Agua Fria won three straight games before its 42-26 loss at Ironwood on Oct. 4, whereas Willow Canyon has dropped its last three. 

“I have full faith and trust individually on and off the field doing their part. It means a lot. We talk about culture and instilling good character and being model citizens and you can see a lot of that in every single play,” Agua Fria head coach Ricky Higuera said about his team. 

Throughout the Owls' last few games, they have been able to keep up with the other teams compared to their first two games they lost.

The Wildcats are led by their top rusher in sophomore running back Joel Cooper, who ranks third in the region on 478 yards. They've struggled getting into the end zone lately, having just one touchdown from senior wide receiver Tyus Dragon in their Sept. 27 home loss to Westview, and were shutout 44-0 at Valley Vista last week. 

Agua Fria is led by its RBs in junior Camarion Samuel and senior Jayvier Cook, the region's sixth- and seventh-best rushers.