Your complete guide to the Gila River Hawks 2026 HJCAC season — game fixtures, historical results, where to watch, kickoff times, venue information, and everything you need to follow Arizona’s three-time junior college football champions.
2026 SEASON OVERVIEW
The Gila River Hawks 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in the program’s history. Coming off their third HJCAC championship in 2022 and with an active 2026 recruiting cycle announced in September 2025, the Hawks enter the upcoming season with a revitalized roster under Head Coach Larry Cain.
The Hawks compete in the Hohokam Junior College Athletic Conference (HJCAC) — Arizona’s premier junior college football conference — alongside four other programs: the Maricopa Mustangs, Salt River Scorpions, Papago Pumas, and Sonoran Sidewinders. All HJCAC games are broadcast on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 through the Varsity Sports Show.
2026 Schedule Release
The official 2026 HJCAC game schedule is released by the conference ahead of the fall season. Check gilariverhawks.com/schedule and hjcac.com for the latest fixture announcements. Games are typically played on Friday or Saturday evenings in the Arizona fall season.
2026 HJCAC FIXTURES
The Hawks will face all four HJCAC rivals across the fall season. Below is the typical schedule structure. Check the official Hawks website for confirmed game dates, times, and locations as they are released.
Week 1 — Fall 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | HOME |
| Team | Gila River Hawks |
| Venue | Campo Verde HS — Gilbert, AZ |
| Opponent | Sonoran Sidewinders |
| Address | 3870 S Quartz St, Gilbert, AZ 85297 |
| Kickoff | Date TBD — Check gilariverhawks.com |
Week 2 — Fall 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | AWAY |
| Team | Gila River Hawks |
| Opponent | Papago Pumas |
| Venue | Westwood HS, Mesa AZ |
| Address | 945 W. Rio Salado Pkwy, Mesa, AZ 85201 |
| Kickoff | Date TBD |
Week 3 — Fall 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | HOME |
| Team | Gila River Hawks |
| Venue | Campo Verde HS — Gilbert, AZ |
| Opponent | Maricopa Mustangs |
| Address | 3870 S Quartz St, Gilbert, AZ 85297 |
| Kickoff | Date TBD — Check gilariverhawks.com |
Week 4 — Fall 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | AWAY |
| Team | Gila River Hawks |
| Opponent | Salt River Scorpions |
| Venue | Sunnyslope Stadium, Phoenix AZ |
| Address | 35 W Dunlap Ave, Phoenix, AZ |
| Kickoff | Date TBD |
Championship Week — Fall 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | HJCAC TITLE |
| Team | Gila River Hawks |
| Opponent | TBD Finalist |
| Venue | Venue TBD by HJCAC |
| Date | End of regular season |
Schedule Note
HJCAC schedules are finalized and published before the fall season. Because the Hawks are building their 2026 roster now (recruiting opened September 2025), exact fixture dates will be confirmed closer to the season. Always check gilariverhawks.com/schedule for live updates.
HISTORICAL RESULTS & CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD
The Gila River Hawks have one of the most impressive records in HJCAC history. Here’s a season-by-season look at the program’s performance since founding:
| Season | Result | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | HJCAC Champions | Inaugural HJCAC season — Hawks win it all |
| 2020 | HJCAC Champions | Back-to-back title; ranked #18 nationally; 49+ scholarships |
| 2021 | Competitive — undefeated stretches | Maintained winning form, active recruiting |
| 2022 | HJCAC Champions | Third title — program cementing HJCAC dynasty |
| 2023 | HJCAC competition | Continued player development cycle |
| 2024 | HJCAC competition | Recruiting pipeline active |
| 2025 | Season completed | 2026 recruiting officially opened Sept 2025 |
| 2026 | Upcoming | Roster building — title contention expected |
All-Time Program Record (HJCAC)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Conference Championships | 3 (2019, 2020, 2022) |
| Back-to-Back Titles | Yes (2019–2020) |
| Highest National Ranking | #18 (JUCO) |
| Total Scholarships Generated | 49+ (2019–20 alone) |
| Notable Transfer | Jeremy Mercier → University of Utah |
WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN
The Gila River Hawks make it easy for fans across Arizona and beyond to follow every game. Here are all the ways to watch, listen, and stay updated:
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 | Varsity Sports Show — Live gameday commentary + weekly coach/player interviews. Follow @VarsityShow on X. |
| YouTube | Official Gila River Hawks YouTube channel — game highlights, inside access, player features, and training content. |
| Hudl | fan.hudl.com — livestreams, game highlights, and film. Search “Gila River Hawks” or visit the HJCAC team page. |
| X / Twitter | @GilaRiverHawks — live score updates, game-day posts, recruiting news, and team announcements in real time. |
| Official Gila River Hawks Facebook page — game previews, photo albums, and community updates. | |
| Official Website | gilariverhawks.com — official schedule, roster, news, and recruit questionnaire portal. |
HOME VENUE INFORMATION
The Gila River Hawks play all home games at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Arizona — a well-appointed facility in the East Valley of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
| Venue Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Venue Name | Campo Verde High School Stadium |
| Address | 3870 S Quartz St, Gilbert, AZ 85297 |
| City / Region | Gilbert, AZ — East Valley / Phoenix Metro |
| Surface | Natural grass / FieldTurf (high school facility) |
| Typical Kickoff | 7:00 PM local (MT) — Friday or Saturday evenings |
| Parking | Available on-site at Campo Verde HS |
| Admission | Check gilariverhawks.com for ticket/gate information |
Arizona Advantage
Gilbert’s warm desert climate means the Hawks play virtually all home games in near-perfect football weather. Fall temperatures in the East Valley typically range from 75–95°F at kickoff — excellent conditions for both players and fans.
HJCAC CONFERENCE TEAMS
The Hawks face the same four opponents each season within the HJCAC. Here’s a quick guide to each rival:
| Team | Location | Head Coach | Home Field |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maricopa Mustangs | Glendale, AZ | Doug Madoski | Mountain Ridge HS, 22800 N 67th Ave, Glendale |
| Salt River Scorpions | Phoenix, AZ | Multiple coaches | Sunnyslope Stadium, 35 W Dunlap Ave, Phoenix |
| Papago Pumas | Mesa, AZ | Brandon Payne | Westwood HS, 945 W. Rio Salado Pkwy, Mesa |
| Sonoran Sidewinders | Tucson, AZ | Darius Kelly | Independence Field (Tucson area) |
HOW THE HJCAC SEASON WORKS
For fans and recruits new to the Hohokam Junior College Athletic Conference, here’s how the competitive season is structured:
- Season format: Round-robin conference play — each team faces every other HJCAC team once during the regular season
- Season timing: Fall — typically August through November, mirroring the broader college football calendar
- Championship determination: The team with the best conference record is crowned HJCAC Champion at season’s end
- Broadcast coverage: Select games are featured on the Varsity Sports Show on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060, with host Vince D’Aliesio providing live play-by-play and weekly coach interviews
- Player eligibility window: JUCO players typically have 1–2 seasons of eligibility before transferring to four-year programs
- Academic requirement: All players must be enrolled at an HJCAC-approved community college to maintain game eligibility
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: When do the Gila River Hawks play in 2026?
A: The 2026 HJCAC season runs in the fall, typically August through November. Exact fixtures are released by the conference ahead of the season.
Q: Where can I watch Gila River Hawks games?
A: Games are broadcast on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 (Varsity Sports Show), streamed on Hudl (fan.hudl.com), and available as highlights on the official YouTube channel. Live updates are posted on X (@GilaRiverHawks).
Q: Where do the Gila River Hawks play home games?
A: All home games are played at Campo Verde High School Stadium, located at 3870 S Quartz St, Gilbert, AZ 85297.
Q: What teams do the Gila River Hawks play in the HJCAC?
A: The Hawks compete against four conference opponents: Maricopa Mustangs, Salt River Scorpions, Papago Pumas, and Sonoran Sidewinders.
Q: How are HJCAC champions determined?
A: The team with the best conference record at the end of the regular season is crowned HJCAC Champion.
Q: Are HJCAC games streamed online?
A: Yes, select games are streamed on Hudl (fan.hudl.com). Game highlights are also available on the Gila River Hawks YouTube channel.
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