Breaking down 5A football quarterfinals
These teams have much to be thankful for, being able to still play football after Thanksgiving. They got there with grit and grind and game changers. There could be unpredicted finishes and outcomes that hinge on one play. The Republic breaks down the Arizona 5A high school quarterfinals with predicted outcomes. All games are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday:
5A quarterfinals
No. 8 Marana (10-1) at No. 1 Scottsdale Notre Dame (10-1)
Don’t expect an upset here, no matter how explosive Marana’s offense can be, behind quarterback Elijah Joplin (2,656 yards, 28 TDs passing, 78% completion percentage) with big-play receiver Dezmen Roebuck (80 catches, 1,107 yards, 14 TDs). They haven’t faced a defense as good as Notre Dame’s. From the back end with safety Tommy Romano (82 tackles, 13 for losses, three interceptions) to the defensive front with Ben Roberts (13 tackles for losses, 5.5 sacks), the Saints get after it. And they’ve got an offense that can get them back to the state final with a dynamic passing duo in quarterback Noah Trigueros (2,449 yards, 25 TDs) and wide receiver Cooper Perry (69 catches, 1,018 yards, 19 TDs). Expect Notre Dame’s defense to be the difference.
Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Marana
21
No. 5 Phoenix Horizon (7-4) at No. 4 Glendale Cactus (8-3)
Two of Horizon’s losses came against teams that got bumped up into the Open Divison state playoffs − Hamilton and ALA Queen Creek. The Huskies also lost to Notre Dame and 6A quarterfinalist Pinnacle. So they know they can win after playing a tough schedule. It won’t be easy against a Cactus team that got much better in the second half of the season when transfer quarterback Rudy Gonzales became eligible. Gonzales has thrown at least one TD pass in each of his last five games. Sophomore Nikko Boncore had emerged as a bona fide goto receiver down the stretch. And the run game has been able to work with the maturity of a young offensive line. But it’s defense that is the difference between a one-an-done playoff team and a state title contender. Cactus has that. Horizon needs to show it can defend. This should be a very close game that could go either way.
Prediction: Cactus 21, Horizon 20
No. 6 Goodyear Desert Edge (8-3) at No. 3 Gilbert Higley (9-2)
This could be one of the best playoff games of the night at any level. Expect fireworks from both sides. Higley has arguably the most exciting offense in the state with sophomore quarterback Jamar Malone II (a 3,000-yarder passer with wheels) taking off under the guidance of offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone. He’s got so many playmakers around him, from tailback Dax Hall to 1,000-yard receivers Dom Esposito and Carter Hancock. Pick your poison. But Desert Edge is a fast, physical team with game breakers of its own, starting with sophomore QB Hezikiah Millender (2,533 yards, 31 TDs passing) to receivers Kezion Dia-Johnson (33 catches for 610 yards, eight TDs in half a season) and Vinny Mansfield (47 catches, 782 yards, 14 TDs) to running back Chris Cordero (1,450 yards, 18 TDs on 187 carries). This is not to say neither team can play defense. Both teams have playmakers on that side of the ball, as well. But this could be a classic. Whoever has the ball last wins.
Prediction: Higley 55, Desert Edge
52
No. 10 Goodyear Millennium (6-5) at No. 2 Scottsdale Desert Mountain (9-2)
After that 23-20 loss to Sunnyslope, it was clear Desert Mountain no longer had a shot at the Open. But the Wolves then took care of business, dominating Cactus Shadows 61-14, before turning it on in the playoffs with a decisive 38-7 win over Buckeye Verrado. Millennium is a seasoned bunch that will try to grind on you and control the clock with workhorse back Zues Pindernation (229 carries, 1,446 yards, 18 TDs). Pindernation also is a threat to catch passes (21) out of the backfield. Millennium’s line is one of the best in 5A so if the Tigers can limit Desert Mountain’s possessions, they have a chance to pull the upset. I can’t go that far but I’m tempted to pick this as the upset of the night. Desert Mountain with its two quarterbacks in Drew Tapley and Brady McDonough, and excellent receivers in Dylan Tapley and Jack Freeburg, should provide the firepower needed for the Wolves to reach the semifinals.
Prediction: Desert Mountain 35,
Millennium 28
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert atrichard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter@azc_obert