There are only two weeks of Arizona high school football left until champions are crowned. The top three division favorites are all still involved and primed to repeat. Hamilton, Chaparral and Saguaro have been as dominant in the playoffs as they were during the season. Let's preview the semifinal match-ups and see who has a chance to usurp the throne from these juggernauts.
Division I
#1 Hamilton vs. #4 Desert Ridge
This is a rematch of last years 5A-I state championship, in which Hamilton won but was pushed by appointed quarterback Jordan Becerra and Desert Ridge's spread attack. Now, Becerra is back at receiver while Parker Rasmussen is throwing the ball and Joey Counts is toting it. Hamilton rolled over Chandler in their rematch last round, and won this years game against Desert Ridge convincingly, 28-6. Unless Desert Ridge can schematically confuse this incredible Hamilton defense, another state title defense is on the horizon.
#3 Desert Vista vs. #7 Basha
Desert Vista has flown somewhat under the radar, even as the three seed, all season. Quarterback Hunter Rodriguez and a couple of workhorse running backs allow them to move the ball in a number of ways, which makes them unpredictable. Basha meanwhile looked like a serious contender until losing three straight toward the end of the season. But now, they apparently have their swagger back after taking out #2 seed Brophy last round with a late field goal. It should be a great game, but the edge has to go to Desert Vista with only one loss this year, to Hamilton.
Division II
#1 Chaparral vs. #5 Centennial
Centennial's running back/safety Zach Hoffpauir played incredibly for one series on a badly injured leg, stopping Deer Valley twice on the goal line to preserve the win last week. If that leg heals and he's able to play against Chaparral, Centennial may have a chance. Chaparral's Connor Brewer and Davonte' Neal have been unstoppable as of late though, and another Chaparral blowout is the more likely outcome.
#6 Ironwood Ridge vs. #2 Cienega
Ironwood Ridge will ride running back Mitch Fischer for as long as he will carry them, and that's a smart play. Fischer has been a bruising, powerful back all year behind a seasoned offensive line. Cienega will spread it around with the pass and have not lost a game behind that formula this season. The weapon Ironwood will try to stop is Edgar Poe, aptly named as he can be scarier than the poet's works for defenses.
Division III
#1 Sabino vs. #5 Saguaro
The seedings are misleading in this one. Although Sabino has been great this season, they have not faced the toughest schedule and Thunderbird ran roughshod over them last week in defeat. Now, D.J. Foster and Saguaro's unbelievably potent rushing attack will get their shot. Unless Sabino quarterback Dallas Brown makes multiple big plays, which he is capable of, Saguaro's firepower looks to be too much in this one.
#3 Cactus vs. #7 Arcadia
Cactus only has one loss, to Saguaro, on the year and will no doubt be the favorites in this one. However, Arcadia's Sosaia Maafu is a monster at running back and gives Arcadia a chance to continue this improbable run all the way to the title game. Cactus' quarterback Michael Putko will do his part to put points on the board early and hope Arcadia will have to abandon the running game to keep up.
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