6A SOUTHERN
No. 19 Salpointe (3-6) at No. 21 Mesa Westwood (4-5)
Salpointe
- David Rushing, WR: 43.1 receiving yards/game; 5 receiving TDs
- Adrian Jett, OLB/RB: 47.1 rushing yards/game; 1 rushing TD
- Elijah Valencia, ILB: 10.0 tackles/game; 2 fumble recoveries
- Soren Goodman, CB: 6.8 tackles/game; 1 interception
Noteworthy: Salpointe heads into the last game of the regular season still in position for the playoffs despite a 3-6 record. The top 20-rated teams qualify — 12 to the Open Division and eight to the 6A tournament. The first round losers in the Open Division playoffs shift to the 6A tournament.
PLAYOFFS
5A First Round
No. 17 Phoenix Sunnyslope (7-3) at No. 16 Marana (7-3)
Sunnyslope
- Kelton Rogers, RB/OLB: 126.8 rushing yards per game.
- Royce Vanacore, QB: 153.9 passing yards per game.
- Julian Toby, WR/FS: 72.3 receiving yards per game.
Marana
- Jeffrey Smith III, RB/LB: 115.5 rushing yards per game, 20 touchdowns, 12.7 tackles per game.
- Jesse Howell, WR/CB: 68.2 receiving yards per game, 9 receiving TDs.
- Jaxsun Sharp, WR/DB: 66.0 receiving yards per game, 6 receiving TDs.
- Xzaveus Griffin, DB/WR: 5 interceptions.
Noteworthy: Marana has advanced to the postseason all five years under Phillip Steward. The Tigers are 2-4 in the postseason under Steward, unable to yet go past the quarterfinal round.
No. 24 Ironwood Ridge (6-4) at No. 9 Canyon View (8-2)
Ironwood Ridge
- Maximus Harder, QB/WR: 190.9 passing yards and 58.8 rushing yards per game; 249.7 total yards per game.
- Zarin Robbins, WR/DB: 85.3 receiving yards per game.
- Jacob Knauer, RB/MLB: 12.4 tackles per game.
Canyon View
- Brandon Arroyo, HB/LB: 74.4 rushing yards per game.
- Titan Jacobs, QB: 115.3 passing yards per game.
- Keegan McCarthy, WR/DB: 7.1 tackles per game.
Noteworthy: Ironwood Ridge is returning to the postseason under Dale Stott after going 1-9 last season. The Nighthawks lost first round games in 2023 and 2024 to Higley, 72-3 final score, and Kellis, 49-7, respectively, under Stott.
No. 22 Tucson (5-5) at No. 11 Glendale Cactus (8-2)
Tucson
- Josh Cota, RB: 84.8 rushing yards per game.
- Brenton Coleman, QB: 150.6 passing yards per game.
- Ezra Spivey, SS/FS: 70.8 receiving yards per game.
Cactus
- Nathaniel Linares, RB/WR/DB: 76.5 rushing yards per game.
- Jacob Martin, QB: 192.6 passing yards per game.
- Ryan Lavigne, LB/WR: 6.2 tackles per game.
Noteworthy: Tucson is in the playoffs for the third straight year under Zach Neveleff, a feat last accomplished at the school from 1969 to 1971 under Ollie Mayfield.
No. 23 Canyon del Oro (5-5) at No. 10 Cave Creek Cactus Shadows (4-6)
Canyon del Oro
- Tai Holmes, RB/LB: 56.6 rushing yards per game.
- Peyton Strang, QB: 130.1 passing yards per game.
- Jayden Smith, WR/DB: 44.7 receiving yards per game.
Cactus Shadows
- Gage Millard, QB: 194.3 passing yards per game.
- Zach Spielman, WR: 66.3 receiving yards per game.
- Gunnar Perry, ILB/RB: 24.0 rushing yards per game.
Noteworthy: CDO coach Scott McKee returns to the playoffs for the first time since leading Sahuaro to the 2019 postseason.
No. 18 Buena (7-3) at No. 15 Yuma Catholic (7-3)
Buena
- James Lesueur, RB/OLB: 82.9 rushing yards per game, 12 total TDs.
- Aydan Fregoso, RB/MLB: 72.2 rushing yards per game, 9 rushing TDs.
- Jaxon Kraus, MLB/TE: 9.8 tackles per game.
- Hastings Haymore, FB/DE/ILB: 8.5 sacks.
Yuma Catholic
- Scout Reese, QB: 2,116 passing yards, 29 TDs and 6 INTs.
- Brody Amon, WR: 871 receiving yards, 87.1 per game.
- Levi Stallworth, RB: 90 points and 15 TDs.
Noteworthy: Buena coach Chris Determan, in his first year as head coach at Buena, is in the postseason for the first time since leading Benson to the 2A semifinals in 2021.
4A First Round
No. 17 Sahuarita (8-2) at No. 16 Flagstaff Coconino (4-6)
Sahuarita
- Trent Hubble, RB/SS: 76.1 rushing yards per game, 9 total TDs.
- Dane Hartnett, QB/FS: 17 passing TDs, 8 rushing TDs and 3 interceptions.
- Gabriel Wilson, WR/CB: 44.0 receiving yards per game, 8 receiving TDs.
- Nathaniel Gallardo, ILB: 8.4 tackles per game, 3.5 sacks.
Coconino
- Jabar Nichols, QB/SS: 891 passing yards, 12 TDs, 5 INT; 517 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs
- Austin Raths, WR/CB: 59.6 receiving yards/game, 5 receiving TDs, 7 total TDs
- Austin Clouse RB/OLB: 5.3 tackles/game, 2 INTs
- Tate Jones QB/OLB: 5.0 tackles/game, 4 sacks
Noteworthy: Third-year coach Jake Allen has coached Sahuarita to the postseason for the first time since 2014.
No. 24 Pueblo (7-3) at No. 9 Phoenix Arcadia (7-3)
Pueblo
- Roman Otero, QB/WR: 236.2 passing yards per game, 28 passing TDs.
- Jesus Enriquez, WR/CB: 118.1 receiving yards per game, 18 receiving TDs.
- Dariuss Taylor, RB/DB: 12 total TDs.
- Ismael Granillo, LB/RB: 6.5 tackles per game.
Arcadia
- Carter Lampe, QB: 18 passing TDs, 64.2% completion percentage, 118.1 QB rating
- Konnor Kammes, WR: 835 receiving yards, 83.5 yards/game, 46 receptions, 8 TDs
- Malakai Wilder, RB: 71.0 rushing yards/game, 6 rushing TDs
- Milo Marinick, DL/OL, Sr. 7.2 tackles/game, 8 sacks, 16 QB hurries
Noteworthy: Pueblo alum Sly Lewis has the Warriors back in the postseason for the first time since 2019, when Brandon Sanders was head coach.
No. 19 Sahuaro (5-5) at No. 14 Yuma Gila Ridge (8-2)
Sahuaro
- Anakin Alexander, RB/MLB: 103.5 rushing yards/game, 9 total TDs
- Kallen Davis, QB: 6 passing TDs, 5 rushing TDs, 56.0% completion percentage
- Lekie Sika, RB/DB: 58.8 rushing yards/game, 4 total TDs
- Jayvion Gilbert-Rojas, HB/SS/ILB: 8.1 tackles/game, 4 INTs
Gila Ridge
- Isaac Soliz, QB: 23 passing TDs, 59.8% completion percentage, 113.9 QB rating, 2,375 total yards
- Kanai Hongo, WB/DB/ATH: 1,037 receiving yards, 103.7 yards/game, 13 total TDs
- Jack Hayes, WR: 78.0 receiving yards/game, 11 receiving TDs, 9 total TDs
- Andy Rodriguez, DE/FB/ATH: 8 sacks, 5.7 tackles/game, 25 QB hurries
Noteworthy: Al Alexander, in his fifth year as Sahuaro’s coach, is looking for his first playoff win after the Cougars lost to Estrella Foothills 17-14 last season in the first round.
3A First Round
No. 12 El Mirage Dysart (7-3) at No. 5 Pusch Ridge (8-2)
Dysart
- Josiah Laborin, QB: 108.3 rushing yards per game, 82.3 passing yards per game.
- Adam Laborin, DE/WR: 58.5 receiving yards per game.
- Shamir Hardge, RB: 197 rushing yards in his most recent highlighted performance.
Pusch Ridge
- Levi Fontagneres: 71.0 rushing yards per game.
- MJ Buckner: 101.1 passing yards per game.
- Colton Bogard: 48.7 receiving yards per game.
- Nicolas Witt: 1.3 sacks per game.
Noteworthy: Pusch Ridge coach Kent Middleton’s postseason record is 10-5, including a four-game run to the state championship in 2024. He is 4-2 in first-round games.
No. 14 Queen Creek ALA-Ironwood (5-5) at No. 3 Thatcher (8-2)
ALA-Ironwood
- Frankie Olmos, RB/LB: 111.7 rushing yards per game, 3 rushing TDs
- Dillon Solis, RB/LB: 53.1 rushing yards per game, 8 rushing TDs, 8 total TDs
- Carter Sage, LB/RB: 6.6 tackles per game, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT
- Makai Tucker, LB/TE: 5.8 tackles per game, 2.5 sacks
Thatcher
- Tufden Taylor, RB/QB/DB: 117.6 rushing yards per game, 15 total TDs and 3 interceptions.
- Josh Jones, RB/CB: 66.8 rushing yards per game.
- Teagan Damron, DE/TE: 8 sacks.
- Ethan Hayes, RB/LB: 7.5 tackles per game.
Noteworthy: Thatcher has been in the postseason all seven years of Daniel Jones’ tenure there as head coach. The Eagles are 8-6 in that span with a spot in the 2022 state championship game.
2A Second Round
No. 14 Tanque Verde (7-4) at No. 3 Willcox (10-0)
Tanque Verde
- Gaines Gooch: 57.9 rushing yards per game.
- Mason Sandoski: 31.0 receiving yards per game.
- Brock Payne: 7.2 tackles per game.
- Nate Hallums: 49.5 passing yards per game.
Willcox
- Asher Ward, RB/LB: 122.2 rushing yards per game.
- Robert Hill Jr., QB: 81.1 passing yards per game.
- Da’Marion Jackson, S/WR: 45.8 receiving yards per game.
- Kaleb Cooke, RB/LB: 8.6 points per game.
Noteworthy: These teams met two weeks ago at Willcox in the regular-season finale with the Cowboys winning 34-7. Jeffrey Bollnow is in his third postseason of his four years as Tanque Verde’s coach (5-2 postseason record), while first-year coach Steven Ward is coaching his first playoff game for Willcox. Willcox is in the midst of a seven-year run in the postseason with last year’s semifinal appearance the deepes in that span.
No. 11 St. Johns (8-3) at No. 6 Benson (8-2)
St. Johns
- Brigham Patterson, RB/DB:117.5 rushing yards/game, 22 total TDs, 158 points, 4.9 tackles/game, 2 interceptions
- Kaden Waite, QB/DB, 52.8 passing yards/game
- Mason Ellington, WR/FS: 9 sacks
- Ty Herrera, OL/DL: 20 pancake blocks
Benson
- Rene Lorta RB/LB: 102.5 rushing yards/game, 15 rushing TDs, 18 total TDs
- Cohen Barney QB/DB: 19 passing TDs, 11 rushing TDs, 63.3% completion
- Jake Scouten LB/TE: 9.7 tackles/game
- Kolttin Deskins LB/RB: 7.3 tackles/game
Noteworthy: Benson coach Chris Rasmussen has led the Bobcats to consecutive playoff appearances with an overall record of 16-7 in 2025 and 2026 after going 5-5 in his first year in 2024.
No. 12 Parker (10-1) at No. 5 Eloy Santa Cruz Valley (8-2)
Parker
- Victor Aguilar, RB/LB: 1,520 rushing yards, 168.9 yards/game, 17 rushing TDs, 18 total TDs
- Jax Poole, QB/DB: 11 passing TDs, 53.6% completion, 99.6 QB rating, 7.7 tackles/game, 3 interceptions
- Elijah Santiago, RB/DB: 62.8 rushing yards/game, 10 total TDs
- Aiden Harper, LB/TE: 7.1 tackles/game
Eloy Santa Cruz Valley
- Diego Ibarra, RB: 1,415 rushing yards, 202.1 yards/game, 13 rushing TDs, 11 total TDs
- Richard Reyes Jr., QB: 11 passing TDs, 49.3% completion, 113.2 QB rating
- Manuel Butler. WR: 302 receiving yards, 60.4 yards/game, 5 receiving TDs
- Nathan Ruiz, LB: 6.4 tackles/game
Noteworthy: Eloy Santa Cruz Valley coach Tommy Cortez, in his fifth year, has led the Dust Devils to four consecutive postseason appearances. He is looking to go past the second round for the first time.
1A Semifinals
No. 4 St. David (8-2) vs. No. 1 Williams (9-1) at Scottsdale Coronado High School, 6 p.m.
St. David
- Case Larson, QB/CB: 982 passing yards, 13 TDs, 2 INTs; 65.3% completion
- Tot Pacheco, RB/DE: 74.8 rushing yards/game, 9 rushing TDs, 6 sacks
- Keston Richardson, TE/S/P: 515 receiving yards, 51.5 yards/game, 41 catches, 5 TDs, 11 interceptions
- Grant Haymore, QB/LB/RB:15 total TDs, 64 points
Williams
- Rocque Montoya, QB/OLB/CB: 18 passing TDs, 64.4% completion, 128.2 QB rating
- Kyle Mendoza, TE/DE: 86.8 receiving yards/game, 4 receiving TDs, 7 total TDs
- Joshua Rue-Wilbur, WR/CB: 81.2 receiving yards/game, 8 receiving TDs, 11 total TDs
- Anthony Soto, RB/OLB/QB:13.5 tackles/game, 2 INTs
Noteworthy: St. David coach Braden Davis, in his 10th season, has lost his last two semifinal appearances in 2022 and 2024. The Tigers beat Williams in the 2021 semifinal round but lost in the championship to Mogollon that year.
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