By Zach Alvira
Head of Content
Jaws across Arizona could be heard hitting the floor last Saturday when the official playoff brackets were released for big schools.
The formula used by the Arizona Interscholastic Association, which is widely unknown, tabbed four 5A football programs to move up to the Open Division -- Marana, Desert Mountain, Higley and Horizon. Aside from an astounding four 5A programs making the premier football tournament in Arizona, Marana was ranked No. 1. It's the first time ever a 6A program hasn't finished as the top-ranked team in the state.
But opinions aside, the elevation of four teams to the Open Division opens the door for what could be a wildly entertaining 5A Conference bracket.
Here's a look at the favorites, the contender, some dark horses and a prediction as to how each round will play out.
The Bracket (top to bottom)
16 Barry Goldwater at 1 ALA Gilbert North
9 McClintock at 8 Campo Verde
12 Raymond S. Kellis at 5 Ironwood Ridge
13 Marana Mountain View at 4 Cactus
14 Casa Grande at 3 Buena
11 Notre Dame Prep at 6 Verrado
10 Cactus Shadows at 7 Desert Edge
15 Cienega at 2 Tucson
The Favorites
ALA Gilbert North
Securing the No. 1 seed in the tournament, the American Leadership Academy Gilbert North Eagles went through the gauntlet that is the 5A Northeast Valley Region to do so.
ALA was in a region that featured Desert Mountain, Higley and Horizon -- all Open Division programs. The Eagles also faced Cactus Shadows and Notre Dame, who are in the 5A playoffs. All teams in the region had winning records, a rarity at the big school level.
The Eagles secured the top seed thanks to big wins down the stretch. They knocked off Higley early in the season, then won a track meet over Cactus Shadows. They stumbled two weeks in a row against Desert Mountain and Notre Dame but upset Horizon to cap off the regular season, which nearly knocked the Huskies out of the Open Division. ALA will now face Barry Goldwater, a ground-and-pound style offense that caused fits for opponents at times this season.
Similarly, ALA's high-powered offense has been difficult to stop. The two-quarterback system with Conner White and Bryson Landon has resulted in nearly 2,000 yards through the air. Isaac Massey has been on the receiving end of over 700 of those passing yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, linebacker Kody Thorley leads the way with 97 total tackles.
The Eagles defense has been stout at times, such as shutting down Horizon's high-powered offense. To make a run, they'll need to do that every week in a loaded 5A field.
The Contenders
Buena
Buena's 8-2 record is the best regular-season finish for the Colts since 2019, when they finished with the same mark. With their only losses coming to Tucson (No. 2 in 5A) and Marana, the top-ranked team in the Open, the Colts are legitimate contenders to make a run for the title this season.
Nash Moore has led the offense to the tune of 1,665 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. Andres Bonilla has added 1,199 yards of his own on the ground to go along with 13 touchdowns. The Colts averaged more than 50 points per game this season, making them a threat should they get hot in November.
Verrado
Jeremy Hathcock has transformed the Verrado program into a contender in just his first year. But really, are we surprised?
Hathcock led the Desert Ridge Jaguars to two championship appearances and rebuilt the Blue Ridge program. He's now taken that blue collar pedigree to the West Valley, where Verrado won a region title and beat rival Desert Edge for the first time since 2017.
The Vipers are led by a stout defense, one that isn't afraid to bring heat against opposing quarterbacks. The front-seven stuffed multiple fourth-down attempts by Desert Edge in the final week of the regular season. Linebacker Zach Kovach has been key to the defense's success with 88 total tackles. Offensively, Verrado has a balanced attack. Quarterback Chase Gieszler has thrown for 1,938 yards and seven touchdowns. Running back Jack Isidore has rushed for 1,325 yards and 15 touchdowns.
The Dark Horses
Cactus Shadows
Cactus Shadows could very easily placed into the contenders category. However, its defense has struggled at times. The Falcons have been able to prevail, though, thanks in large part to its dynamic junior quarterback, Donivan Dixon. He's thrown for 2,510 yards in 11 games this season. He's also rushed for 1,094. He's accounted for 38 total touchdowns and many headaches for opposing defenses.
The Falcons have scored 40 or more points in eight games this year. They lost two of those. Their other loss came against Desert Mountain in overtime. Dixon and company know hot to exploit defenses. As long as their own defense can hold their ground, the Falcons have enough fire power to make a run.
Campo Verde
The Coytes, or Fighting Freemans, have quietly established themselves as a dark horse for the 5A title. Much like their run to the 5A title game in 2022, Campo Verde has relied on a stout defense. Linebacker Drew Pollard has led the way with 60 total tackles.
The offensive stats don't jump off the page for Campo Verde, but the Coyotes know how to win games. They get hot at the right time, finishing the regular season on a five-game win streak. They now open the playoffs against McClintock, who they beat on Nov. 1 and handed the Chargers their first and only loss of the season.
Desert Edge
Before the season, Desert Edge was a near lock for the Open Division in the eyes of many. However, an opening week loss to Liberty, in which the Scorpions were shut out, led to an 1-3 start with losses to Notre Dame and Higley.
The Scorpions have had some growing pains. The defense is as talented as ever, led by Jamar Beal-Goines at corner. But the offense has struggled to move the ball, forcing the defensive unit take a bulk of the workload. Blake Roskopf took over at quarterback in Week 6 when he became eligible, passing for 1,259 yards and nine touchdowns in five games. Elijah Sherbin-Fox, who was the starting quarterback in the first half of the season, has found a place as a skill player and edge rusher.
Desert Edge has a tall task ahead with Donivan Dixon and Cactus Shadows in the first round. However, last year's 5A runner-up knows what it takes to win in November.
Round-by-round Prediction
1 ALA Gilbert North def. 16 Barry Goldwater
8 Campo Verde def. 9 McClintock
12 Raymond S. Kellis def. 5 Ironwood Ridge
4 Cactus def. 13 Marana Mountain View
3 Buena def. 14 Casa Grande
6 Verrado def. 11 Notre Dame Prep
10 Cactus Shadows def. 7 Desert Edge
2 Tucson def. 15 Cienega
Quarterfinals
1 ALA Gilbert def. 8 Campo Verde
4 Cactus def. 12 Raymond S. Kellis
6 Verrado def. 3 Buena
10 Cactus Shadows def. 2 Tucson
Semifinals
1 ALA Gilbert def. 4 Cactus
10 Cactus Shadows def. 6 Verrado
5A Conference Championship
1 ALA Gilbert def. 10 Cactus Shadows
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