Breaking down, predicting quarterfinal playoff games
The highly competitive Arizona 3A high school football quarterfinals on Friday night at 7 p.m., should be exciting, filled with high drama as teams wind down to the final four.
Let's break it down.
3A football quarterfinals
No. 9 Tucson Sabino (8-2) at No. 1 American Leadership Gilbert North (10-1)
Two talented quarterbacks match up in this game that could be high scoring. ALA GN junior Adam Damante has thrown for 2,770 yards and 38 TDs. He had one of his best games against American Leadership Queen Creek, which could be going to the Open Division playoffs. He passed for 322 yards and three TDs in a 38-35 loss. ALA GN has beaten Sabino once already, 33-21, on a night when Damante had an off game. If Sabino sophomore QB Cam Hackworth can duplicate what he did then, pass for 189 yards and run for 138, the Sabercats have a chance to keep it close. But the Eagles have too much firepower.
Prediction: ALA Gilbert North 42, Sabino
31
No. 5 Eagar Round Valley (10-1) at No. 4 Yuma Catholic (10-1)
Round Valley will have to ground and pound to control the clock, because Yuma Catholic's air raid offense is the best in 3A. QB Richard Stallworth, son of head coach Rhett Stallworth, has thrown for 4,049 yards and 57 TDs with seven interceptions, completing 67% of his passes. He has a chance to break the season state record of 4,662 yards passing. This is another one of those games that could be hard for the Elks to overcome.
Their only loss was to Snowflake, 52-8. They'll need a big game from RB Seth Wiltbank to stay in it. Yuma Catholic's only loss was 28-25 to ALA GN.
Prediction: Yuma Catholic 48, Round Valley 6
No. 6 Mohave Valley River Valley (10-1) at No. 3 Chandler Valley Christian (10-1)
This might be one of the more thrilling quarterfinals. River Valley has no quit, especially senior running back Zach Hammett, who wills his way into the end zone. He has run for 2,179 yards and 36 TDs, averaging 12 yards a carry. If he gets going, it might be tough for Valley Christian. But this is one of the best teams in Trojans' history with a strong linebacker corps, led by Christian Bell (11 tackles for losses). Valley Christian has a two-headed monster on offense with QB Hunter Heeringa passing for 32 TDs and RB Kaden
Majercak running for 22 scores.
Prediction: Valley Christian 33, River Valley 31
No. 10 Thatcher (8-3) at No. 2 Snowflake (10-1)
The defending 3A champions Snowflake Lobos have the experience to get back to the final, behind dual threat QB Caden Cantrell, who has passed for 2,186 yards and 31 TDs and run for 363 yards and six scores.
RB Camden Brimhall and WR Noah Baum are big-play threats that Thatcher has to contend with. Daniel Jones has done a good job at Thatcher since it's move from 2A to 3A and plays a tough brand of defense to keep Snowflake from making it easy.
But, in the end, just too much veteran leadership for Snowflake.
Prediction: Snowflake 33, Thatcher