After a historic Friday last week, seven Southern Arizona tackle football teams continue their quests for state championships.
Marana returns to action in the Open after 21 days off, Salpointe Catholic heads north to face Mesa Mountain View and Pusch Ridge Christian gets a chance at revenge. In Class 5A and 4A, Tucson High, Buena and Walden Grove play again after big wins and Mica Mountain looks to remain perfect.
The games on Friday are at 7 p.m.
The special teams get in a few kicks just after sunset for a practice session of Marana High School’s football team, on Nov. 14, 2024.
Friday
Open State Playoffs: Quarterfinals
No. 8 Chandler Hamilton (9-1) at No. 1 Marana (10-0)
Location: 12000 W. Emigh Road
Notable: 5A Marana faces its second 6A side of the year after topping Salpointe 27-24 in the season opener. Hamilton’s sole loss was 35-20 at Open No. 2 and the top 6A team Chandler Basha. Hamilton has won seven state championships (2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012), and Marana has won three (1964, 1967, 1968). This season Marana has won 10 in a row and Hamilton four straight. The winner plays No. 5 Gilbert Higley or No. 4 Peoria Liberty.
6A Playoffs: Quarterfinals
No. 5 Salpointe Catholic (8-2) at No. 4 Mesa Mountain View (10-1)
Location: 2700 E. Brown Road, Mesa
Notable: Mountain View head coach Andy Litten previously was Marana’s head coach and an assistant at Hamilton. Salpointe won the 6A Central and MV the 6A Fiesta. In the Max Preps era, the Lancers are 2-0 against Mesa Mountain View and 14-2 against Marana Mountain View. The Toros’ only loss was to Liberty, 49-20, who beat Salpointe 34-24. The winner plays No. 8 Gilbert Perry or No. 1 Phoenix Brophy Prep.
5A Playoffs: Quarterfinals
No. 6 Buckeye Verrado (9-2) at No. 3 Buena (9-2)
Location: 5225 E. Buena School Blvd., Sierra Vista
Notable: After winning its first postseason game since 1983, Buena looks to reach the third round again, just like 41 years ago, though they lost 36-0 to Mesa Mountain after beating Amphitheater and Glendale Cactus that season. Verrado beat Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep 17-14 in the first round, while Buena topped Casa Grande 65-28. Buena junior receiver/cornerback Jayden Thomas and Colts senior running back/linebacker Andres Bonilla are tied for third in the 5A in scoring with 108 points a piece. Vipers head coach Jeremy Hathcock left his alma mater Lakeside Blue Ridge to lead Verrado. The winner plays No. 7 Goodyear Desert Edge or No. 2 Tucson High.
No. 7 Goodyear Desert Edge (7-4) at No. 2 Tucson High (9-2)
Location: 400 N. Second Ave.
Notable: Last week, Tucson High won its first playoff game since 1971, the last time they won the state championship. In 1970 and 1971 the Badgers won 23 games and two state titles. Tucson High has four state championships in the AIA tournament era (since 1959) and Desert Edge one (in 2015). Desert Edge co-head football coaches Mark and Marcus Carter resigned in April so the Scorpions could avoid missing the postseason due to a recruiting violation. It’s the first time Tucson High and Desert Edge have played. DE’s last game against a Southern Arizona school was in the first round last year when it beat Buena 58-14.
4A Playoffs: Quarterfinals
No. 9 Walden Grove (8-3) at No. 1 Yuma Catholic (10-1)
Location: 2100 W. 28th Steet, Yuma
Notable: Walden Grove looks for its second-ever playoff win after getting its first last week. Last year, Yuma Catholic reached the state championship game but lost 35-27 to Canyon del Oro. YC’s lone loss this year was to No. 2 AZ Chandler Prep 43-29. WG is 5-1 on the road this season. Yuma Catholic is 5-2 in the 4A playoffs since moving up from the 3A after the 2021 3A title game, a 10-3 loss to Snowflake. The winner plays No. 5 Phoenix Thunderbird or No. 4 Mica Mountain.
No. 5 Phoenix Thunderbird (10-1) at No. 4 Mica Mountain (11-0)
Location: 10800 E. Valencia Road
Notable: Thunderbird opened in 1972, and Mica Mountain opened in 2020. MM is looking for its second straight semifinal appearance. Mica Mountain head coach Pat Nugent also went to a couple of final fours when he led Cienega. MM has won 27 of its last 29 games, losing only to Canyon del Oro in that span. Thunderbird has one state championship, in 2010.
Ballcarrier Isaiah Owens, left, and Dermain Linen during a practice session of Marana High School’s football team, on Nov. 14, 2024.
Saturday
3A Playoffs: Semifinals
No. 4 Pusch Ridge Christian (11-1) vs. No. 1 Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (11-1)
Location: 1630 E. Southern Ave., Mesa
Time: 6 p.m.
Notable: Benjamin Franklin is the only team to beat Pusch Ridge this season, 31-7 on Sept. 6. Benjamin Franklin’s loss was to 4A No. 7 Phoenix Arcadia 27-26. This is PRCA’s third semifinal appearance in the last five years. In the 3A bracket, all four top seeds reached the final four. The game is at Mesa High School. The winner plays No. 3 Thatcher or No. 2 Waddell ALA — West Foothills.
