Top Games of the Week (Sep. 16-17)
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Arizona doesn’t lack strength of matchups this week, as there are a plethora of big time games, especially in the 6A conference. take a look at the top games of the week: Bishop Gorman (NV) (3-0) @ Hamilton (2-0) Hamilton…
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Continue ReadingArizona doesn’t lack strength of matchups this week, as there are a plethora of big time games, especially in the 6A conference. take a look at the top games of the week:
Bishop Gorman (NV) (3-0) @ Hamilton (2-0)
Hamilton will get a shot to test themselves against a top 10 program in the country, with Bishop Gorman coming in with a national rank at #7 according to MaxPreps. This game is loaded with premier talent with West Virginia commit Nicco Marchiol Nicco Marchiol 6'2" | 220 lbs | QB Hamilton | 2022 State AZ leading the Hamilton offense, and Bishop Gorman’s 4 star Oregon commit in Cyrus Moss who will try to get in Marchiol’s grill on Friday night. Zion Branch (ATH) and Fabian Ross (DB) are another handful of players to watch for Bishop Gorman, while Hamilton WR Christian Anaya Christian Anaya 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH Hamilton | 2022 State AZ has been hot lately, so the Anaya-Ross matchup should be one to watch. The Hamilton pass rush between Arizona commit Russell Davis Russell Davis 6'3" | 215 lbs | DL Hamilton | 2022 State AZ and Chandler Davis Chandler Davis 6'2" | 230 lbs | LB Hamilton | 2023 State AZ has been something to take note of as well. Prime time game on ESPN will go down Friday night, as this is one of the most anticipated matchups in Arizona for the 2021 season.
Brophy (1-1) @ Basha (2-0)
Another 6A matchup that will be loaded with elite talent. Brophy’s Zac Swanson Zac Swanson 6'4" | 255 lbs | DL Brophy Prep | 2022 State AZ and Benjamin Morrison Benjamin Morrison 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Brophy Prep | 2022 State AZ will go up against the talented young Basha QB Demond Williams Demond Williams 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB Basha | 2024 State AZ and Hamilton transfer Deshaun Buchanan Deshaun Buchanan 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH Basha | 2023 State AZ . Basha also has some big time players in the secondary which includes 2023 DB Cole Martin Cole Martin 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Basha | 2023 State AZ and the Louisiana transplant in Jeremiah Vessel. Brophy comes off a close loss to Mountain Pointe while Basha is in the conversation as an open division powerhouse contender with their hot start and their highly touted young prospects. It should be a gritty game on Friday night with tons of intriguing players going head to head.
Centennial (1-1) @ Mountain Ridge (1-1)
Two 1-1 west valley programs will go at it on Friday night. Centennial comes off a close 13-12 win over Millennium to bounce back from their week 1 loss at chandler, while Mountain Ridge comes off a 75-22 blowout win vs Fairfax to bounce back from their week 1 blowout loss 27-74 at Liberty. Ridge’s standout 2023 QB Brendan Anderson Brendan Anderson 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Mountain Ridge | 2023 State AZ will look to dice up the Centennial defense while Centennial RB Kavaughn Clark Kavaughn Clark 5'8" | 180 lbs | RB Centennial | 2023 State AZ will look to bust loose. Two programs who need that W will both get a big test Friday night.
Horizon (2-0) @ Desert Edge (2-0)
Horizon is a big sleeper 5A program, as they have been playing lights out lately, especially with their 24-15 upset win last week against the reigning 5A champs Sunrise Mountain. Desert Edge comes off a 58-0 win over Westview where Washington State commit Adryan Lara Adryan Lara 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Desert Edge | 2022 State AZ absolutely lit it up. Horizon’s Skyler Partridge, Ethan Tinsley Ethan Tinsley 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Horizon | 2022 AZ , and Cole Linyard have stepped up big thus far, as they’ll get a huge test Friday night against an explosive Desert Edge squad.
Yuma Catholic @ ALA-Gilbert North
Yuma catholic has not been challenged yet this season as they start with 3 blowout wins. Standout QB Richard Stallworth Richard Stallworth 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Yuma Catholic | 2023 State AZ continues to put up video game type numbers every week, and nobody seems to have an answer for him. However, ALA looks like a legit powerhouse for 3A ball and could be Yuma Catholic’s biggest challenge all season. Yuma Catholic hasn’t even given up a point yet, but ALA standouts Adam Damante Adam Damante 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB American Leadership Academy (Gilbert North) | 2023 State AZ , 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 will look to go head to head with Stallworth and Yuma Catholic and light it up, as this game has the potential to be a shootout given the talent on both offenses.
Snowflake (2-1) @ Blue Ridge (2-1)
The reigning 3A champs will head about 30 minutes down the road to take on 3A East Region rival Blue Ridge. Snowflake’s Caden Cantrell Caden Cantrell 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Snowflake | 2022 State AZ has thrown for 450 yards and 9 TD’s thus far, so the Blue Ridge defense will have a tough task. Blue Ridge’s run heavy offense will look to wear down the snowflake D, as both teams have a gritty, hard knock reputation up north for 3A ball. Very intriguing and important matchup for both teams which could impact playoff seeding down the stretch.