Under the Radar Games that can Determine Playoff Seedings
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Week 1 is this week for everyone across the state, and teams start their trek to the playoffs. Last season we had a great mixture of teams that qualified for The Open bracket, and ultimately saw Saguaro win it all.…
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Continue ReadingWeek 1 is this week for everyone across the state, and teams start their trek to the playoffs. Last season we had a great mixture of teams that qualified for The Open bracket, and ultimately saw Saguaro win it all. This season, watch out for these key games throughout the fall that can make or break where they end up come playoff time.
Basha vs Chandler, Week 9
Game of the year in the state of Arizona, potentially game of the year in the country. ESPN will be televising it, and for good reason. The top recruit in the nation in the class of 2024 at quarterback for Chandler in Dylan Raiola Dylan Raiola 6'3" | 220 lbs | QB Buford | 2024 State GA , and the number 3 rated player in the same class on Prep Redzone’s rankings at QB for Basha Demond Williams Demond Williams 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB Basha | 2024 State AZ , this will be the best quarterback matchup in the nation this year. Both teams have aspirations to win it all, and this will be a great test for both teams. Basha has talent all over the field and I believe they will be the team to watch come playoff time. That being said, Chandler once again have talent on offense and defense, and led by Raiola (Ohio State Commit) Chandler will be tough to stop for anyone.
Desert Edge vs Highland, Week 3
The Highland Hawks won it all in the 6A bracket and could have easily snuck into the Open. They had 3 losses last year, but against the top 3 seeds in the Open (Hamilton, Chandler, Basha). Quality team year in and year out, they will be tested early in week 3 when Desert Edge rolls into town. Talented squad expected this year, with 9 players ranked in the 2023 class, as well as three of the top nine players in the 2024 class. 3 seed last season in 5A, this will be the first test of many for Desert Edge with Saguaro and Cactus also on the schedule. The winner of this game will set them up greatly to make it to the Open as one of the top 8 teams in the state.
Red Mountain vs Chandler, Week 5
This game is on this list solely because of Red Mountain and their potential this fall. 9-2 regular season last year, they have the ability to improve on that this year. Chandler is the toughest game on their schedule, and if they make it past the Wolves with a win, they set themselves up greatly for an Open Playoff birth. They also have matchups with Salpointe Catholic and Highland, but Chandler should be the game that is circled for them. Led by the 9th ranked receiver Ja’Kobi Lane Ja’Kobi Lane 6'5" | 180 lbs | WR Red Mountain | 2023 State AZ (USC Commit) and 29th ranked running back Lenox Lawson Lenox Lawson 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Red Mountain | 2023 State AZ (Central Michigan Commit), they should have the offense to score with top recruit in the nation at QB for Chandler, Dylan Raiola Dylan Raiola 6'3" | 220 lbs | QB Buford | 2024 State GA .
ALA Queen Creek vs Horizon, Week 11
The last game of the season holds a sneaky great matchup when American Leadership Academy QC travels to Horizon. The 8 seed last season in the Open bracket travels to play the 5A champion, and the winner of this game might have the case to make to get their name in the Open. Horizon went 9-0 last season at home with wins over Pinnacle and Desert Edge, the Huskies could make some noise in the 5A conference. Matchups with Hamilton in the beginning of the year, and this game at the end of the year, Horizon have the opportunity to make it. ALA Queen Creek snuck into the final spot last year in the Open, they will try and do it again. Close lose to Saguaro last year, they face Cactus (4 seed in Open last year) and Horizon. With two 2 wins, they can see themselves right back in the state championship race.