Will Highland, Chaparral meet again for football championship?
Gilbert Highland and Scottsdale Chaparral, the top two seeds in 6A, are on a collision course to meet next week for the championship game again. Last year, Chaparral beat Highland for the title.
Will that happen again Dec. 11 at noon at Sun Devil Stadium?
Not so fast.
Gilbert Williams Field and Mesa Red Mountain will have something to say Friday night in the semifinals.
Let’s break down Friday’s 7 p.m. games.
6A Conference semifinals
No. 4 Red Mountain (11-2) at No. 1 Highland (9-3)
Red Mountain knows how to win close games. The Lions escaped Peoria Centennial 20-19 in the first round and Phoenix Brophy Prep 14-13 in the quarterfinals. The Lions are loaded with bigplay guys, especially back/receiver Lenox Lawson and big, physical wideout Ja’Kobi Lane, not to mention tight end Preston Heap, the son of former Mesa Mountain View, Arizona State and NFL tight end Todd Heap.
Highland prides itself on defense, but runs an efficient offense, behind senior quarterback Gage Dayley, who led the Hawks to the 6A final last year. Can the Hawks score enough points against a rugged Lions defense, led by linebacker Parker McClure? This will be a gut check moment for both teams. Nothing will be taken for granted.
Red Mountain played in the 6A final two years ago, losing to Liberty in overtime. Coach Mike Peterson knows how
to get his guys ready for big games. What gives?
Prediction: Highland 16, Red Mountain 14
No. 3 Williams Field (10-2) at No. 2 Chaparral (8-4)
This looks like another thriller on paper. Williams Field’s vaunted defense against Chaparral’s potent offense.
Chaparral senior Brayten Silbor will be the best quarterback Williams Field has seen this year. But the Firebirds can’t just rely on Silbor’s arms and his dynamic receiving duo of Grady Hickey and Gavin Higley, the GH dynamos. They’re going to have to make stops. That’s where five-star defensive lineman Anthony Lucas comes in. Lucas is coming off one of his best games with three sacks in the 4136 quarterfinal win over Phoenix
Pinnacle.
Williams Field is among the top three or four fast, physical defenses Chaparral has seen. Scottsdale Saguaro, Chandler Hamilton and Peoria Liberty should have Silbor and company prepared. Williams Field has a lot of speed among the skill guys in the second two layers of defense. The front line is also good at applying pressure.
It’s going to take Chaparral’s best defensive effort to contain QB C.J. Tiller and running back Kaden Cloud. The Black Hawks are well-balanced and have played a quality schedule to be ready for this. I have a feeling this goes into overtime. It’s a tossup game, but somebody has to wi
Prediction: Williams Field 28, Chaparral 27