Games of the Week (Sep. 9-10)
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This week, we have a ton of intriguing matchups which includes an out of state test for Chandler, numerous non-conference matchups, and some 3A promising talent going head to head. It should be an interesting week for Arizona high school…
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Continue ReadingThis week, we have a ton of intriguing matchups which includes an out of state test for Chandler, numerous non-conference matchups, and some 3A promising talent going head to head. It should be an interesting week for Arizona high school football, so take a look at the top matchups across the state:
Cherry Creek (CO) (2-0) @ Chandler (1-0)
Two powerhouses from different states will duke it out on Friday night in Chandler. Both teams are loaded with FBS level talent and both come off 2020 state championships. Chandler’s offensive line and QB Blaine Hipa Blaine Hipa 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Chandler | 2022 State AZ will have to be locked in all game as they’ll face off against a highly touted DE/OLB Blake Purchase. Both teams are very explosive on the offensive side of the ball and matchup well on paper, so we’ll find out who wants it more on Friday night.
Chaparral (0-1) @ Desert Mountain (1-0)
The defending 6A champs will head to 5A Desert Mountain. This game has all the potential to be a shootout between these two QB’s with New Mexico commit Brayten Silbor Brayten Silbor 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Chaparral | 2022 State AZ and the highly touted 2024 prospect Brady McDonough Brady McDonough 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Desert Mountain | 2024 State AZ . Chaparral was upset last week by Queen Creek 33-21, while Desert Mountain enters this matchup 1-0 after a W over Gilbert 34-7. I expect Chaparral to come out hungry and take some shots to start the game.
Brophy (1-0) @ Mountain Pointe (1-0)
This one will be a huge test for both programs, which will include some intriguing individual matchups as well. Brophy comes off a blowout 49-0 win over St. Mary’s and Mountain Pointe comes off a tight 34-33 win over Corona del Sol. One of the most underrated player’s in the state in Mountain Pointe’s WR Terryon Rowe Terryon Rowe 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Mountain Pointe | 2022 State AZ will have a huge opportunity to test himself against an elite DB in Notre Dame commit Benjamin Morrison Benjamin Morrison 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Brophy Prep | 2022 State AZ . The Brophy pass rush was lethal last week, so Mountain Pointe’s OL will have to step up and play lights out and QB Chris Arviso Chris Arviso 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Mountain Pointe | 2023 State AZ will have to take care of the ball and limit mistakes. Huge game for both teams which could potentially have a big impact later in the season once the playoff stretch gets here.
ALA- Gilbert North (2-0) @ Sabino (2-0)
One of the biggest 3A matchups of 2021 takes place in southern AZ this Friday. Another potential shootout as two dual-threat, big play QB’s in Adam Damante Adam Damante 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB American Leadership Academy (Gilbert North) | 2023 State AZ and Cameron Hackworth Cameron Hackworth 5'9" | 160 lbs | QB Sabino | 2024 State AZ will look to put up big numbers to secure a W. ALA- Gilbert North is explosive on the offensive side of the ball with WR’s Brandon Phelps Brandon Phelps 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR American Leadership Academy - Gilbert North | 2024 State AZ and Johnny Bellino Johnny Bellino 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR American Leadership Academy (Gilbert North) | 2022 State AZ , but Sabino is not to be slept on as they have some big time talent in 3A ball as well. Sabino DB Nezayah Stubblefield and LB Marius Lester will have to have big games to compete with that explosive ALA offense.
Pusch Ridge (2-0) @ Eastmark (1-1)
Another big 3A matchup loaded with some big time young talent. Eastmark standouts Gianni Mascolino Gianni Mascolino 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Coolidge | 2023 State AZ , Javery Mayberry Javery Mayberry 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE Basha | 2024 State AZ , and Austin Johnston Austin Johnston 6'1" | 185 lbs | ATH Eastmark | 2023 State AZ will look to continue to carry that momentum from last week’s 19-16 W over Payson. Eastmark’s loss came week 1 against 3A contender River Valley, and their schedule doesn’t get much easier this week. Pusch Ridge comes off a 27-15 win over Walden Grove, and they are stacked with prospects such as Ryan Fontaine Ryan Fontaine 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Pusch Ridge | 2022 State AZ , Hayden Hallett, Javier Grajeda Javier Grajeda 5'8" | 185 lbs | RB Pusch Ridge Christian | 2022 State AZ , Tyler Mustain Tyler Mustain 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Pusch Ridge | 2023 State AZ , William Way William Way 6'4" | 255 lbs | DL Pusch Ridge Christian | 2023 State AZ and many others, as both teams look to be legit 3A contenders.