Can top seeds stay the course in 5A semifinals?

For weeks now, the top three teams in 5A have seemed a cut above the rest. No surprise, then, that all are in the semifinals. But Scottsdale Desert Mountain, led by an elite defense, is looking to crash the party.

Meanwhile, Tucson Salpointe Catholic looked vulnerable in the second half of its quarterfinal win. So can seeds hold in the semifinals? Or will we get some upsets?

No. 4 Scottsdale Desert Mountain (12-1) at No. 1 Scottsdale Horizon (10-2)

Across all six 11-man levels, few No. 1 seeds have dominated quite like Horizon. The Huskies made easy work of Cave Creek Cactus Shadows in a 49-0 first-round then dominated Vail

Cienega, 45-21 last week in the quarterfinals. They’re an Open Division caliber team and playing like it. The impressive thing is how many ways they can beat you. Junior running back Wesley Lambert has been unstoppable and senior quarterback Skyler Partridge has been using his weapons to perfection. Plus, the defense is shutting teams down.

Speaking of defenses, Desert Mountain has given up 10 points just three times this season. The Wolves have guys who can make plays all over the field. Senior defensive end Porter Sweet is the dominating force up front with 13 sacks and was named Northeast Valley Region Defensive Player of the Year. On the backside, sophomore safety Dylan Tapley has seven picks.

But Desert Mountain hasn’t played a team quite like Horizon. Last week’s quarterfinal opponent — Peoria Sunrise

Mountain — has a good offense that scores 29.5 points per game, but the Huskies have a great offense that averages 40.8 per game. That could prove to be too much even for Desert Mountain’s defense.

Prediction: Horizon 27, Desert Mountain 21

No. 3 Goodyear Desert Edge (10-2) at No. 2 Tucson Salpointe Catholic (10-2)

Desert Edge quarterback Adryan Lara has taken a small step back this year after leading the Scorpions to the Open Division as a junior. But in the playoffs, he’s done exactly what his team has needed him to do. Against Waddell Canyon View, he was 16-for-24 for 205 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Against Tucson Desert View, he put up a nearly identical line, going 16-for-23 for 185 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. With a trip to Tucson coming up on Friday, though, he’ll have more weight placed on his shoulders.

Salpointe Catholic is a dangerous team that scores 42.2 points per game. They suffered a bad loss to 4-8 Phoenix Pinnacle back in October, 28-21, but dominated everyone in their path between then and last week’s quarterfinals. Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep, though, was up for the challenge. Salpointe Catholic nearly surrendered a 17point halftime lead before holding on to win, 45-42. Desert Edge won’t afford spotting the Lancers that kind of head start. The Scorpions haven’t allowed 30 points in regulation all season. And if Lara is on his game, their offense is among the best in 5A, too.

Prediction: Desert Edge 31, Salpointe

Catholic 24