Arizona high school football playoffs: Breaking down 3A, 2A quarterfinals, 1A championship
The Arizona high school football season enters the quarterfinal rounds for 3A and 2A this week, while the 1A, 8-man championship game will be Saturday at Scottsdale Coronado High School. The Arizona Republic breaks down each game with predicted scores:
3A quarterfinals
All games Thursday night, 7 p.m.
No. 9 Blue Ridge (9-2) at No. 1 Mohave (10-1)
The Yellow Jackets have come a long way this year under coach Jeremy Hathcock, who has a young team but relies heavily on senior receiver/defensive back David Simmons. Hathcock figured he'd better get the ball in his hands as much as possible to get them to go deep in the playoff. They did that last week and it paid off in a 20-17 win at Tucson Pusch Ridge. Mohave will need sophomore QB Joe Yoney at his best to keep moving. It has been a magical season for the Thunderbirds. But Blue Ridge's rugged schedule and it's ability to overcome adversity will keep its season alive. I'm taking the upset.
Prediction: Blue Ridge 28, Mohave 21
No. 12 Round Valley (7-4) at No. No. 4 Sabino (8-3)
Round Valley has been in enough close games against good teams that it should come in with an edge. But Sabino also has had a tough schedule and beat Mohave late in the season, behind veteran QB Cameron Hackworth, who has 2,681 passing yards, 586 rush yards and 38 total TDs. With Sabino's Berryhill brothers -- junior Shamar (54 catches, 1,000 yards, 14 TDs) and senior Savaughn (38-473-3) -- the Elks will have matchup problems . Round Valley is physically and mentally tough, but Sabino's talent should help it advance.
Prediction: Sabino 35, Round Valley 21
No. 6 Morenci (8-3) at No. 3 Paradise Honors (9-2)
Never count out a Rishard Davis-coached team, but Paradise Honors has the ultimate equalizer in quarterback Gage Baker, who has thrown for a national-best 61 TDs, including nine in last week's 64-23 rout of Gilbert Christian. He's got so many weapons, namely Josh Morales and Isaiah Thomas, that it's going to be hard for Morenci to keep up.
Prediction: Paradise Honors 42, Morenci 34
No. 7 Thatcher (7-4) at No. 2 Valley Christian (10-1)
This is a hard pick. Valley Christian, led by QB Gunnar Link (36 TD passes, five interceptions), has been great since the 52-33 Sept. 22 loss to Paradise Honors. Thatcher lost to Valley Christian 15-14 the second week of the season. But since then, the Eagles have grown up under coach Daniel Jones and they're ready for revenge.
Prediction: Thatcher 21, Valley Christian 20
2A quarterfinals
All games Thursday night, 7 p.m.
No. 8 Tonopah Valley (9-2) at No. 1 Pima (11-0)
Tonopah Valley's run and shoot, pass-happy offense, led by sophomore QB Malachi Wilt, against Pima's ground-control, pushing offense, led by running back Jeremiah Martinez, should make this a classic showdown. Pima lost its best athlete, Jaxon John, to an injury in the final week of the regular season. But the Roughriders still are a tough, physical team that knows how to win championships.
Prediction: Pima 33, Tonopah Valley 27
No. 5 San Tan Charter (9-2) at No. 4 Camp Verde (9-2)
Both teams have been rolling the second half of the season behind talented QBs -- San Tan Charter's Zayden Neill (26 TD passes) and Camp Verde's Tyson Buckley (43 TD passes). Neill is among three San Tan Charter players who have gained more than 500 yards on the ground. Christian Sanabria (16 TD catches) and Jordan Williams (14 TD catches) have been golden. Camp Verde has won its last seven games in devastating fashion.
Prediction: Camp Verde 35, San Tan Charter 28
No. 6 Santa Cruz (9-2) at No. 3 Scottsdale Christian (9-2)
Scottsdale Christian should roll behind QB Jack Atkinson and the Trapp brothers, Andrew and Jacob. And the defense has been tremendous all year. The Eagles' only losses have come against No. 1 Pima (23-20) and 3A quarterfinalist Valley Christian (37-28). Since then, they've dominated the 2A competition. It figures Pima or Arizona Lutheran will be the only 2A team to stand in the way of a title.
Prediction: Scottsdale Christian 38, Santa Cruz 20
No. 7 Tanque Verde (9-2) at No. 2 Arizona Lutheran (11-0)
It's been a season of firsts for Tanque Verde under new coach Jeff Bollnow, but the Hawks meet their match in this game with Arizona Lutheran, back down from 3A, on a mission to win the 2A title the Coyotes claimed two years ago. The defense forced five turnovers in a first-round rout of Scottsdale Prep as they lead 45-6 at the half. The offense rolled up 323 rushing yards on 42 carries with Elijah Harris gaining 132 on nine attempts.
Prediction: Arizona Lutheran 46, Tanque Verde 19
1A championship
Saturday, 6 p.m., at Coronado High School, Scottsdale
No. 6 Mogollon (9-2) at No. 1 Hayden (11-0)
It's hard to pick against Mogollon in a winner-take-all scenario. But Hayden has been at a different 8-man level, outscoring 11 opponents 569-61. The Lobos rolled over Mogollon 34-8 on Sept. 1, a week after beating Bagdad 32-7. Mogollon is just a different animal in a championship game. It won the last three 8-man state titles. Hayden has been the most physical, dominant defense in 8-man, flying to the ball and not getting beat over the top on pass plays. Hayden's offense is efficient and consumes clock, behind QB Paul Gaither and backs Deondre Collier and Kino Lorona.
Prediction: Hayden 28, Mogollon 15
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert atrichard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona high school football playoffs: 3A, 2A quarterfinals, 1A championship
