By Zach Alvira
Head of Content
The Open Division brackets sent shockwaves through the Arizona high school football community two weeks ago.
The aftershocks carried over to Friday, when four 5A football programs were set to line up against four 6A programs with a trip to the semifinals on the line.
This is the first time in the history of the Open Division four 5A programs made the elite 8 bracket. What is perhaps even more shocking is Higley, a three loss team, getting in.
Many have scoffed at the Open Division this season for that very reason, believing no 5A programs stand a chance this week. They may very well be right.
Here's a breakdown of the four Open Division matchups with predictions.
8 Hamilton vs 1 Marana
Hamilton needed help getting into the Open Division and everything fell into place for the Huskies to sneak in at No. 8.
Having a one-loss Hamilton team in the 6A Conference would have been borderline criminal. Now, the "underdog" has to make a trip to southern Arizona to face Marana, the No. 1 seed who has held that spot since the first Open Division rankings were released by the Arizona Interscholastic Association near the midway point of the season.
The Tigers have been very good this season, knocking off Salpointe Catholic and Higley earlier in the year. However, those have been the only true tests for the 5A program. Some can argue Hamilton's schedule was a little soft to start, but playing in the Premier Region made the Huskies battle tested.
Marana hasn't seen a defense of Hamilton's caliber. Many could argue the Tigers haven't seen an offense like Hamilton's either. Dezmen Roebuck may very well be the Player of the Year this season, but to win it will take monster heroics from him on both sides of the ball.
In the end, Hamilton is just too much.
Prediction: Hamilton 35, Marana 21
5 Higley at 4 Liberty
Back-to-back 5A state titles now opens the door for Higley's first appearance in the Open Division -- much to the dismay of others.
Higley lost three times in the regular season. All three losses were to 5A opponents within its region. But what has helped the Knights is the caliber of those teams. Horizon is in the Open Division alongside Desert Mountain. ALA Gilbert is the No. 1 seed in 5A.
The Knights come in battle tested from the gauntlet of a region. However, Liberty is still Liberty. The Lions have shown some vulnerability this season, most notably against Corona Centennial out of California and in close wins over Pinnacle and Salpointe Catholic. But they've still found ways to get it done on the field.
Hudson Dunn leads a stellar defense that swarms to the ball. Hayden Fletcher and Braxton Huynh have become one of the top tandems in the state. Higley has talent to match Liberty, most notably in its secondary. Offensively, the Knights have stellar quarterback play with Gunner Fagrell and a stable of great wideouts.
But as many games are, this one could be won or lost in the trenches. Liberty's experience and pure size and skill make a difference in that battle.
Prediction: Liberty 42, Higley 28
6 Desert Mountain at 3 ALA Queen Creek
There may not be any team hotter right now than the ALA Queen Creek Patriots. They lost in a tight matchup to Red Mountain, then followed it up with a big win over Highland and blowout victory over rival Queen Creek.
The Patriots' defense, led by defensive coordinator James Verinski, is one of the top units in the state. They fly to the football, stuff the run and defend the pass very well. They haven't allowed any opponents the opportunity to get going all season. Linebacker Brody Michael leads the way for the stout Patriot defense.
Offensively, ALA Queen Creek has unleashed an offensive onslaught on nearly every opponent. The Patriots know how to score at will, led by big Riggs Anderson and a stellar offensive line. Offensive coordinator Max Hall puts his playmakers into position, especially the likes of wideout Kingston McCabe and running backs Bobby Nesbitt and Brandon Brown.
The Wolves are talented, led by quarterback Bryce Herges. He has an experience offensive line in front of him and talent at key positions that can make plays. But they haven't seen a team like ALA this season.
The Patriots could be on course to still be playing in December.
Prediction: ALA Queen Creek 42, Desert Mountain 14
7 Horizon at 2 Basha
Sticking to the theme of 5A programs not seeing the caliber of 6A teams they will Friday night, this will be the first meeting all-time between Horizon and Basha.
Basha has been on a roll all season, nearly knocking off top-10 Mission Viejo in California earlier in the year. Brody Vehrs has come into his own at quarterback for the Bears, stepping in to fill the void that was left by Demond Williams, who is now at Washington.
Gio Richardson has been outstanding at wideout. Noah Roberts is quickly becoming one of the top recruits to ever come out of Arizona. He's only a sophomore at running back. Basha's offensive line mirrors a Division I college program and its defense is relentless.
The Bears should come away with a win and a trip to their third straight Open Division semifinals. But Horizon may very well be the 5A team that gives 6A the most trouble.
Jase Ashley has been electric at quarterback for Horizon, showing off his ability to pass and run with his big frame. His offensive line, while not as big as in year's past, has been solid up front blocking for him and running backs Bodie Zamorano and Johnny Issitt. Adem Wagner, Jordan Partridge and Jax Markovich could find success against a banged up Basha secondary.
But for Horizon to have success, it will come down to whether Jackson Murray and company are able to apply pressure to Vehrs. The Division I defensive tackle will likely be targeted by two or more blockers each play, but that opens the doors for others.
Horizon has the talent to keep this one closer than many think. At least for a half. But Basha gets it done in the end.
Prediction: Basha 28, Horizon 17
Comments