Breaking down 4A championship between ALA-Gilbert North and Snowflake

Kay Solomon, center, Snowflake High School football head coach, speaks during the Arizona Interscholastic Association high school football state championship media day at a BarroÕs Pizza in Gilbert on December 6, 2022.
Kay Solomon, center, Snowflake High School football head coach, speaks during the Arizona Interscholastic Association high school football state championship media day at a BarroÕs Pizza in Gilbert on December 6, 2022.

The bonanza that is championship weekend at Sun Devil Stadium will kick off Friday at 4 p.m. with the 4A state championship game. The Republic breaks down the matchup:

No. 1 ALA-Gilbert North vs. No. 2 Snowflake

This championship showdown is fascinating. After an off-season in which the Arizona Interscholastic Association aggressively bumped high-performing schools up a level, the 4A title game pits two schools that were in 3A a year ago. Even their seeds were the same last year (No. 2 Snowflake went on to win the title while No. 1 ALA-Gilbert North lost in the semis).

That’s about where the similarities end.

With 1,194 students, ALA-Gilbert North's enrollment fits in with other 4A larger schools. The charter school is rapidly growing and the football program, now in its sixth year with a varsity team, is an attractive landing spot for talent from all over the East Valley.

American Leadership Academy Gilbert North quarterback Adam Damante (8) throws the ball against Arizona College Prep on Friday, Oct. 21. 2022.
American Leadership Academy Gilbert North quarterback Adam Damante (8) throws the ball against Arizona College Prep on Friday, Oct. 21. 2022.

There’s a reason that the Eagles are led by a modern high-powered passing attack. Quarterback Adam Damante is an NAU commit with gaudy numbers (4,484 yards, 56 touchdowns, two interceptions). His top receiver, Brandon Phelps, is a junior with Power Five offers rolling in thanks to a 1,669-yard, 26-touchdown season.

Snowflake, located in Navajo County among the state's Mogollon Rim communities, is the opposite. With just 878 students, the Lobos compete in 3A outside of football. In 4A, they’re among the smallest schools. Their advantage lies in decades of football heritage. Located three hours from the Valley, Snowflake isn’t an option for talented transfers seeking out high-level football. Talent has to come from within.

Unsurprisingly, the team reflects an old-school approach. They’re throwing the ball better since moving Brennan Bryant to quarterback midseason, but this is a team that wins by rushing for nearly 200 yards per game and holding opponents to 10.3 points per game.

All of that should make Saturday’s game an intriguing contrast in styles. The team that can better impose its style of football should come out on top.

Prediction: ALA-Gilbert North 28, Snowflake 20

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Breaking down 4A Arizona high school football championship game