Our
History
The Founding
of a Program
Tempe High School was established in 1908, quickly developing a robust athletic culture that encompassed baseball, basketball, and other sports. Football, however, struggled to find its footing. While students formed an unofficial team with real passion, the sport lacked recognition from the school board — a reflection of how few Arizona schools had teams at all.
Competition was scarce. The handful of opponents available included the Phoenix Indian School, Tempe Normal School, the University of Arizona, and Phoenix Union High School. Without structure or formal support, these early Buffaloes played on grit and ambition alone.
"The district finally approved football as an authorized school sport in 1924 — and everything changed."
In 1924, the Tempe Union High School District officially sanctioned football, leading to the formation of the first true Varsity team. Under Coach Lewis S. Neeb, the Buffaloes opened their inaugural season with a 3-4 record — modest by any measure, but the beginning of something enduring.
In those early decades, the Buffaloes had no dedicated home field. The team played at Arizona State College's stadium, a practice that continued even after Tempe High relocated to its current campus at Mill Avenue and Broadway Road in 1953. The Buffaloes used ASU's Goodwin Stadium until 1969, when lights were finally installed on the school's own field — and Friday night football arrived in Tempe for good.
Three State
Championships
The Buffaloes achieved a perfect 10-0 season. Without a formal playoff system, Phoenix sportswriters voted unanimously to declare Tempe High the Class B state champion. Coach Zucco's era was nothing short of dominant — from 1954 to 1957 he led the Buffaloes to an impressive 32-6-1 record, including an 18-game winning streak that remains one of the program's greatest stretches.
Tempe shared the 4A state title with Agua Fria after a thrilling 10-10 tie in the championship game at Sun Devil Stadium, played in front of over 11,000 fans. Coach Murphy had taken over just a year prior, and his second season produced one of the most memorable campaigns in program history. In the same year, the Buffaloes narrowly beat McClintock 25-24 in what many consider one of the finest high school games of the decade.
The most complete season in program history. In an unforgettable 20-17 overtime victory against Glendale Ironwood, quarterback Todd Mortensen connected with Justin Taplin for the game-winning touchdown — capping off a flawless 14-0 season. Coach Tim McBurney delivered Tempe's only outright state championship, cementing his legacy as the greatest coach in Buffalo history.
Program Timeline
Tempe High opens, quickly developing a strong athletic program in baseball, basketball, and other sports. Football exists informally but lacks school board support.
The district approves football as an official sport. Coach Lewis S. Neeb leads the inaugural Buffaloes team to a 3-4 record — the beginning of a 100-year tradition.
Program FoundedTempe High relocates to its current campus. The Buffaloes continue playing home games at ASU's Goodwin Stadium throughout the move.
Coach John Zucco leads the Buffaloes to a 32-6-1 record over four seasons, including a historic 18-game winning streak.
1956 State Champions · 10-0The opening of McClintock High School creates Tempe's most intense and storied football rivalry. Their first meeting comes in 1966 — a 3-2 McClintock victory.
After decades of borrowing ASU's stadium, the Buffaloes finally host night games on their own campus. Friday night football comes home to Tempe.
Mayor Dale Shumway introduces the City Trophy to honor the annual Tempe-McClintock champion. A crowd of 15,000 watches Tempe defeat McClintock 19-14.
The City Trophy competition expands to include Marcos de Niza High School, and later Corona del Sol — reflecting Tempe's growing football landscape.
As schools grow and divisions multiply, selecting a city champion becomes impractical. The City Trophy is retired and displayed at McClintock High School.
Tempe shares the 4A state title with Agua Fria after a 10-10 championship tie at Sun Devil Stadium — witnessed by 11,000 fans. Final record: 13-1-1.
1989 State Co-Champions · 13-1-1A perfect 14-0 season culminates in a 20-17 OT victory over Glendale Ironwood. QB Todd Mortensen finds Justin Taplin for the game-winning touchdown. The program's greatest achievement.
1996 State Champions · 14-0 UndefeatedAfter back-to-back winless seasons, Coach Freeman arrives and immediately begins a cultural reset — installing accountability, mentorship, and belief as the program's new foundation.
The Buffaloes are rebuilding — with renewed culture, growing recruiting classes, and a coaching staff committed to writing the next great chapter of Tempe High football.
Chapter in Progress
The Great
Rivalries
For decades, Tempe High commanded the undivided loyalty of the local community. That changed in 1965 with the opening of McClintock High School, igniting a fierce crosstown rivalry that defined Friday nights in Tempe for a generation.
Their first meeting in 1966 ended in a 3-2 McClintock victory. Over the following decades, McClintock dominated the series — winning 21 of 28 games through 1993. These matchups frequently drew enormous crowds to ASU's Sun Devil Stadium, giving them a big-game atmosphere rare for high school football.
The rivalry extended beyond two schools. By 1974, the City Trophy competition had expanded to include Marcos de Niza and later Corona del Sol, reflecting the growing footprint of Tempe football culture across the Valley.
Introduced by Mayor Dale Shumway in 1971, the City Trophy honored the annual crosstown champion. Retired in 1983 as divisions multiplied, it remains on display at McClintock High School — a symbol of one of Arizona's finest high school football rivalries.
The Legacy
Lives On
From a 3-4 inaugural season in 1924 to three state championships and a century of Buffalo pride, the Tempe High School football story is one of resilience, rivalry, and renewal. The best chapters are still being written.
More from the Buffaloes
Tempe football thrives on rivalries, championships, and community pride.
Get in Touch
- (480) 967-1661
- sean.freeman@tempehighfootball.com
- 1730 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281
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