5 impact games to watch in Week 9 of the Arizona high school football season
Last week, the Arizona high school football slate was filled with potential Open Division previews. This week is similar, headlined by Hamilton-Basha and Saguaro-Highland. Sandwiched in between them is a somewhat odd Week 9.
Many of the state’s top teams are on bye, wisely giving themselves a week off in a packed part of the schedule. But down at the lower levels, there are showdowns galore. Here are five matchups that will shape playoff pictures across the state:
Centennial at Sandra Day O’Connor, Friday, 7 p.m.
In a week with few Open-relevant matchups, this game stands out from the pack. There’s a chance neither will be in the top eight of Tuesday’s AIA rankings release, but the winner will have every chance to play its way into the Open.
After last season’s 3-8 disappointment, Centennial is looking much more like the team that appeared in the first two editions of the Open back in 2019 and 2020. Led by the dominant rushing performances of senior Kavaughn Clark, the Coyotes are 4-1 and picked up their most impressive win of the year last time out, when they beat Williams Field, 24-22. That came a week after another big win over 5A contender Millennium, 27-7. Plus, their only loss so far was against Hamilton in the opener.
O’Connor has had a similar season, with four impressive, but not eye-popping wins (including one over Millennium) and a lone loss to an elite team (Saguaro). Both schools still have to play Liberty, but it’s easy to see the winner finishing 8-2 with an Open-worthy resume.
ALA-Gilbert North at Snowflake, Friday, 7 p.m.
We’re still two months away, but it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see this 4A showdown repeat itself in the state championship game.
Snowflake (4-1) possesses one of the best defenses in the state, allowing just 10.6 points per game despite a stacked schedule. ALA-Gilbert North (3-2), on the other hand, is an offensive dynamo led by Adam Damante, who passes the eye test in addition to his sparkling stats. The Eagles lost to ALA-Queen Creek, 40-19, before their bye, but led that game — against one of the best teams in 5A — at halftime.
Snowflake is currently No. 1 in The Republic’s 4A rankings and enters as the favorite, but Damante will have every chance to lead ALA-Gilbert North to the upset.
Sabino at Eastmark, Friday, 7 p.m.
Eastmark’s last four games: 42-0, 45-10, 57-0, 54-7. The most recent of those came against previously undefeated Florence — on the road. To put it succinctly, the Firebirds are absolutely flying right now. Quarterback Mack Molander and receiver Austin Johnston are one of the most unstoppable duos in the state, at any level.
Sabino, though, might pose a real test. The Sabercats are 6-1 and enter as The Republic’s No. 6 team in 3A. And scoring 49.4 points per game, they might just have the type of firepower necessary to keep up with Eastmark. If they can, it’ll be a serious statement of intent regarding their championship aspirations.
Chandler Valley Christian at Tucson Pusch Ridge, Friday, 7 p.m.
Sabino-Eastmark isn’t the only showdown between 3A contenders this week.
Valley Christian enters this game as The Republic’s No. 4 team in 3A, one spot ahead of Pusch Ridge. While those rankings suggest a potential quarterfinal preview, the conference is wide open and both schools have what it takes to make a deep run — like Sabino and Eastmark. Valley Christian has only lost to No. 1 Show Low, while Pusch Ridge has only lost to No. 2 Thatcher.
The last month of the regular season in 3A will be about schools proving that they belong in the championship conversation. Winning this game, for either team, would be a great place to start.
Morenci at Miami, Friday, 7 p.m.
Few teams in the state — at any level — have been as dominant as Morenci. After losing in the state championship last year, the Wildcats are outscoring teams by more than 40 points per game in their 7-0 start. Last week, they beat a top 10 team in San Tan Charter, 64-13.
There’s a chance Miami will simply be the next step in Morenci’s dominant run. But the Vandals have rebounded from a 1-2 start to win four straight. Their unpredictable offense means defenses have to prepare for five or six weapons who can beat you. If they can keep it close with Morenci, it’ll be an impressive statement of intent. A win, of course, would be even more than that.
Theo Mackie covers Arizona high school sports and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He can be reached by email at theo.mackie@gannett.com and on Twitter @theo_mackie.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 5 impact games in Week 9 of Arizona high school football
