OPEN DIVISION
MARANA NO. 1 SEED IN OPEN DIVISION
Phillip Steward’s Marana team is 10-0 and on a mission head into the Open Division playoffs that start Nov. 22 with a game against No. 8 Chandler Hamilton (9-1) at home at 7 p.m. Hamilton is a 6A school. Marana is one of FOUR 5A SCHOOLS in the Open Division. The others are No. 5 Gilbert Higley (7-3), No. 6 Scottsdale Desert Mountain (8-2) and No. 7 Scottsdale Horizon (8-2). Marana, the second Southern Arizona team to make the Open Division (Salpointe did so in Bijan Robinson’s senior season in 2019), has some of the best players on offense and defense in the state with QB Colten Meyer, WR/S Dezmen Roebuck, LBs Hayden Utley and Gregory Webb, to name a few.
6A TACKLE FOOTBALL
SALPOINTE HOSTS FIRST ROUND GAME IN 6A PLAYOFFS
No. 5 Salpointe (7-2) will host No. 12 Gilbert Williams Field (4-6) on Friday at 7 p.m. The Lancers won the 6A Central region with a 4-0 record after Friday night’s dominating 45-30 win over visiting Phoenix Brophy Prep, which amazingly is the No. 1 seed in the 6A tournament. The Lancers must be confident to go all the way given that circumstance.
5A TACKLE FOOTBALL
TUCSON HIGH NO. 2 SEED IN 5A TOURNAMENT
The Badgers are also the 5A Southern region champs via a tiebreaker with a No. 2 power rating opposed to Ironwood Ridge at No. 5. Tucson and Ironwood Ridge tied with No. 13 Mountain View at 4-1 in region play.
Friday first round schedule (games at 7 p.m.):
- No. 15 Cienega (5-5) at No. 2 Tucson (8-2) … Badgers won this matchup 13-7 earlier this season at home. Tucson is in the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and it has reached eight wins in a season for the first time since 1973.
- No. 14 Casa Grande (6-4) at No. 3 Buena (8-2) … The 5A Southern foes meet again, this time in Sierra Vista, after Buena beat Casa Grande 66-42 in a shootout at Casa Grande earlier this season.
- No. 12 Glendale Kellis (9-1) at No. 5 Ironwood Ridge (8-2) … Dale Stott’s team is in the state playoffs for the second straight year, this time playing at home in the first round after losing 72-3 against Higley last season in the first round.
- No. 13 Mountain View (6-4) at No. 4 Glendale Cactus (7-3) … Matt Johnson’s team has to its credit playing a schedule that includes Marana, Scottsdale Horizon, Tucson and Buena. Johnson’s defense has been impressive this year with many of the players underclassmen.
4A TACKLE FOOTBALL
Friday first round games at 7 p.m.
- No. 4 Mica Mountain (10-0) hosts No. 13 Flagstaff Coconino (6-4) … Legendary Pat Nugent (168-66 in his 22-year career) is chasing after his first state championship in his fourth season at Mica Mountain.
- No. 9 Walden Grove (7-3) travels to No. 8 Phoenix Northwest Christian (7-3) … Fourth meeting between the schools in the last two years, second time in the playoffs. Walden Grove looking for its first win against Northwest Christian.
- No. 14 CDO (6-4) goes to No. 3 Snowflake (10-0) … Defending champs Dorados have a tough test in the first round but they have been a pleasant surprise all season after losing 28 seniors from last year’s team and playing under veteran coach Scott McKee after Dustin Peace resigned following last season.
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