Open Division teams a mixed bag
There are five from 6A, one from 5A and two from 4A. Can they all make an argument that they’re the best in Arizona high school football?
We’ll see next Friday when the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s version of the Elite Eight go at it to start the third (annual?) Open Division high school football state playoffs.
There is an emphasis on “state.” This is how the AIA has advertised this tournament, as THE state playoffs. The others are for conference championships, although those champs will be holding up gold balls claiming state titles.
1. Chandler Hamilton, 10-0
The Huskies capped a perfect regular season with a 21-14 win over Chandler, during which it had 11 sacks, three each by Chandler Davis and Russell Davis II. This team just flat gets after it defensively, creating short fields. It doesn’t matter if quarterback Nicco Marchiol has a short field or a long field, he’s been the state’s most efficient passer, throwing for 34 TDs with only one interceptions in a big-time breakout season from him and his top target, wide receiver Christian Anaya. The Huskies haven’t dominated everybody but clearly this is the team to beat now that it has ended Chandler’s 45-game winning streak.
2. Chandler, 9-1
The Wolves looked battered against Hamilton, but they were hardly badly beaten. QB Blaine Hipa will have to forget about all those sacks and come back battling with his three big receivers — Kyion Grayes, Nason Coleman and Quaron Adams — ready to go. Maybe the loss was the best thing to happen to these guys to show that nothing can be taken for granted. They can look at this as a clean slate, start another streak and impose its will for a fifth straight crown, and make it three in a row in the Open.
3. Chandler Basha, 10-0
They’re young and fun to watch but are they ready for prime time? This team was perfect in the regular season but are three weeks off going to create rust? Is it too much down time? Can sophomore QB Demond Williams Jr., deal with the brightest of lights and what will be the biggest pass rushes he has seen all year?
4. Glendale Cactus, 10-0
Coach Joseph Ortiz is building a west-side Saguaro there, and it figures his team will play host to Saguaro in the first round. The Cobras are fast enough to keep up with Saguaro. But will the line play cave in against the big, talented physical linemen that Saguaro will be bringing at them?
5. Scottsdale Saguaro, 9-1
The Sabercats are really hungry after last year’s Thanksgiving got ruined by positive coronavirus cases. That ended their season before they could play host to Salpointe in the first round. Think anybody has forgotten? They’re driven.
6. Peoria Liberty, 8-2
Forget about the two losses. This is a dangerous team. They exude confidence, especially in this setting. Coach Collin Thomas will have them ready like he did last year when they pushed Chandler into overtime in the semifinals.
7. Queen Creek, 8-2
Queen Creek rallied to beat Liberty during the regular season. It had Chandler on the ropes deep in the third quarter. There is something about this team that makes you not count them out in the rematch with Chandler. The Bulldogs are physical, tough-minded and play every down as if it is their last.
8. American Leadership Queen Creek, 9-1
This is the second 4A team, one that many believe don’t belong. But they may be the same people who thought they had no chance against Saguaro, before the Patriots, led by speedy and poised senior QB Logan Hubler, had the Cats on the ropes, before losing 20-14.