Breaking down Friday’s four quarterfinal matchups
2A quarterfinals
Friday, 7 p.m.
No. 8 Willcox (8-2) at No. 1 Parker (10-0)
Parker is the only unbeaten team left in 2A, but Willcox had a brutal schedule that led to its first playoff win in 11 years last week. Coach Eric Hjalmarson has done a great job building the Cowboys program in his second season. This is a long road trip, but they’re ready. Parker relies on a strong ground game, led by 1,000-yard rushers Anthony Taylor and Cameron Poole. This could be one of the better quarterfinal matchups. Prediction: Willcox 21, Parker 20 No. 5 Gilbert Christian (9-2) at No. 4
Morenci (9-2)
Morenci, like Willcox, came out of the tough San Pedro Region playing so many quality games. It hasn’t lost since falling to Benson and had a week off because Whiteriver Alchesay had to forfeit its first round game due to COVID-19 cases. Gilbert Christian, which has won eight in a row, is coming off its first-ever 11-man playoff game, led by 1,000-yard rusher Elijio Ledesma, who ran for a 343 yards and four TDs in a win over Scottsdale Christian. Another great game that should go down to the final minute.
Prediction: Morenci 28, Gilbert Christian 21
No. 11 St. Johns (7-4) at No. 3 Benson (9-2)
Will this be St. Johns coach Mike Morgan’s last game? The state’s all-time winningest coach has taken it year to year since coming out of retirement a few years ago to lead the Redskins again. Benson finished second in 2A last year and is driven to win it all this year, behind a veteran group, led by 1,000yard rusher Devin Bowling. Benson, another San Pedro team, is too seasoned and too strong for St. Johns to post another upset.
Prediction: Benson 35, St. Johns 16 No. 7 Pima (7-3) at No. 2 Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (10-1)
Can Pima make it an all-San Pedro Region final four? These guys gave Benson a run in a 14-7 loss and suffered its two other losses to 3A teams Safford and Thatcher. They looked dominant in a 57-14 first-round win over Scottsdale Prep. Arizona Lutheran’s only loss was to Parker, 40-18. Pima’s more difficult schedule should help the Roughriders, who must figure a way to slow down the Double Wing T and QB Jackson Indahl and RB Ryan Holguin, who has scored 29 TDs, 19 of those rushing.
Prediction: Pima 33, Arizona Lutheran 20