Breaking down state football quarterfinals
Scouting the 5A, 6A and Open Division high school football quarterfinals. All games are Friday:
5A Conference
No. 8 Buckeye Verrado (3-4) at No. 1 Peoria Sunrise Mountain (6-2), 7 p.m.
Verrado is the only team with a losing record to make it to the final eight in any of the conferences. With Logan Gingg rushing for 900 yards in seven games, Verrado feels it can stay in the game. But for how long? Sunrise Mountain, which relies on a staunch defense, is healthier than it was earlier in the year when it lost back-to-back games against Ironwood and Open-bound Desert Edge.
Prediction: Sunrise Mountain Verrado 13
No. 5 Gilbert Campo Verde (4-2) at No. 4 Cave Creek Cactus Shadows (4-2), 7 p.m.
This is a big moment for Campo Verde RB Caden Calloway, who got hurt in last year’s semifinals and didn’t play in the 5A final, a shutout loss to Williams Field. Cactus Shadows lost its last two games against Desert Mountain and Sunrise Mountain. Senior linebacker Hafeez Momoh (17 tackles for losses) will try to slow down the potent Campo Verde running attack.
Prediction:
Shadows 19
No. 6 Glendale Ironwood (5-2) at No. 3 Scottsdale Desert Mountain (4-2), 7 p.m.
Ironwood knows it can win any given night, as long as it has QB Will Haskell clicking on all cylinders. Desert Mountain needs to get its offense back on track after being limited to a field goal in a loss to Tucson Salpointe Catholic last week. Aiden Cerullo was held to less than 100 yards passing in the loss.
Prediction: Ironwood
Mountain 21
No. 7 Scottsdale Notre Dame (4-2) at No. 2 Phoenix Sunnyslope (5-1), 7 p.m.
Sunnyslope, in Sam Jacobs’ first season as head coach, is coming off its first loss, 35-3, to Anthem Boulder Creek, which is the No. 1 seed in the 6A playoffs. Sunnyslope played only one other playoff team, beating Desert Mountain. Notre Dame has lost to Campo Verde, and is coming off its most impressive victory, denying Horizon a playoff spot with a 3324 win. The Saints will need another strong effort from QB Tyler Schweigert, who is coming off his best game with three TD passes.
Prediction: Notre
Sunnyslope 27
Campo Verde 27, Cactus
6A Conference
24,
Dame
Desert
Prep
28,
28,
No. 8 Surprise Shadow Ridge (6-2) at No. 1 Anthem Boulder Creek (7-1), 7 p.m.
Shadow Ridge beat Basha to open the season, scoring 41 points. But it took a step back late in the season when it lost to Boulder Creek 49-12. But that defense will have to be able to find an answer for all-everything back Jacob Cisneros, who has 27 touchdowns in just eight games.
Prediction: Boulder Creek 38, Shadow Ridge 24
No. 5 Queen Creek Casteel (5-3) at No. 4 Gilbert Highland (5-3), 7 p.m.
Highland might be the best 4-seed in the state. It performed well in back-toback weeks late in the season against the top two Open teams, Chandler and Hamilton. RB Max Davis has been a beast for the Hawks. Casteel has been the comeback team of the year, pulling out games late behind QB Dane Christiansen and WR Isaiah Newcombe. Prediction: Highland 33, Casteel 27 No. 6 Chandler Basha (6-2) at No. 3 Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor (5-3), 7 p.m.
Basha has been a remarkable story with three freshman starters, led by QB Demond Williams Jr. The Bears have won their last six games. Coach Steve Casey has done a great job putting O’Connor in position to win. Prediction: Basha 28, O’Connor 20 No. 7 Scottsdale Chaparral (3-2) at No. 2 Queen Creek (6-2), 7 p.m.
Chaparral QB Brayten Silbor will need another big night against maybe the best defense he will see since facing Saguaro last year. Queen Creek is loaded on defense with linebacker Trey Reynolds and his brother, sophomore defensive end Porter, leading the way.
Prediction: Queen Creek 24, Chaparral 21
Open Division
No. 8 Goodyear Desert Edge (8-0) at No. 1 Chandler (7-0), 7 p.m.
This is the ultimate litmus test for Desert Edge’s talented trio of QB Adryan Lara, WR Andrew Patterson and RB Jeryll McIntosh. If they have success against Chandler’s vaunted defense, then that’s as big a story as you will find in this COVID season. Chandler’s got its own firepower, led by QB Mikey Keene, RB Eli Sanders and receivers Kyion Grayes and Jalen Richmond.
Prediction:
Edge 14
No. 5 Peoria Liberty (5-3) at No. 4 Peoria Centennial (6-2), 7 p.m.
The Coyotes are being asked to beat their biggest rivals in back-to-back weeks after rallying for a 34-24 win last week, behind another monster game by sophomore RB Kavaughn Clark. Liberty will try to confuse Centennial on offense. That’s what got the Lions their first 6A title last year.
Prediction: Centennial
30
No. 6 Tucson Salpointe
(6-0) at No. 3 Scottsdale
(5-1), 7 p.m.
These are two of three 5A teams to receive Open bids. Saguaro doesn’t have the offensive superstars of years past, but it has a great defense that will try to get after Arizona-commit QB Treyson Bourguet. If Bourguet gets time, he can pick a defense apart. But he’s facing one of the best secondaries in the state that got stronger following Saguaro’s 13-7 loss to Hamilton. Prediction: Saguaro 28, Salpointe 15 No. 7 Tempe Corona del Sol (8-0) at No. 2 Chandler Hamilton (6-1), 7 p.m.
Can Hamilton get past Corona del Sol without injured QB Nicco Marchiol? The Aztecs have confidence in QB Quade Swearingen to make the plays when they need them most. Expect a heavy dose of RB Noah Schmidt on Hamilton.
Prediction: Hamilton 34, Corona del Sol 14
Chandler
42,
31,
Desert
Liberty
Catholic Saguaro