Games of the Week (Sep. 23-24)

Huge matchups this week across the state in all divisions that have the potential to shake up playoff seedings and make or break some seasons. Take a look at the top games of the week: &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Saguaro </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>(2-0)</em></span><strong> @ Chaparral </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>(2-1)</em></span></span> A huge rivalry game between two highly touted programs will make things interesting on Friday night. Saguaro comes off a close 20-14 win over 4A ALA- Queen Creek and a bye week, while Chaparral has played lights out after their week 1 loss at Queen Creek to win two in a row. Chap’s [player_tooltip player_id="42815" first="Brayten" last="Silbor"] and Grady Hickey have been a tough duo to stop, while 4 star DL [player_tooltip player_id="42782" first="Anthony" last="Lucas"] is a monster up front. Saguaro is loaded with weapons as usual with [player_tooltip player_id="42806" first="Ridge" last="Docekal"], [player_tooltip player_id="42795" first="Javen" last="Jacobs"], and [player_tooltip player_id="42870" first="Bryan" last="Bogardus"] doing big things on that Saguaro offense. Saguaro’s young 2024 prospect [player_tooltip player_id="155808" first="Jojo" last="Clark"], 2023 prospect [player_tooltip player_id="42919" first="Carlos" last="Griffin"], and many others will have a big test against an explosive Chap offense on Friday night, as this game projects to be a gritty one. &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Liberty </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>(3-0)</em></span><strong> @ Chandler </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>(3-0)<img class="size-medium wp-image-199818 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/IMG_6453-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></em></span></span> In a repeat of the 2020 open division semi’s, both teams are once again stacked with talent and start the season 3-0. With QB [player_tooltip player_id="161934" first="Blaine" last="Hipa"] back for Chandler, this adds a huge piece back to that offense along with TE [player_tooltip player_id="42793" first="Nason" last="Coleman"], RB [player_tooltip player_id="169404" first="Ca’Lil" last="Valentine"], and WR [player_tooltip player_id="42941" first="Andereya" last="Nsubuga"]. Liberty standout DB [player_tooltip player_id="42810" first="Jax" last="Stam"] needs to have a big game as he continues to do so, and Liberty’s [player_tooltip player_id="165904" first="Zach" last="Wallace"] has been a big threat on the ground thus far and he’ll get a big challenge against a lights out Chandler defense. &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Williams Field (2-0) @ Campo Verde (1-2)</strong></span> Two sleeper teams with a handful of promising prospects will go at it in Gilbert on Friday night. Williams Field’s offense is loaded with weapons with QB [player_tooltip player_id="42957" first="CJ" last="Tiller"], 4 star WR [player_tooltip player_id="42924" first="Kyler" last="Kasper"], and standout RB [player_tooltip player_id="42807" first="Kaden" last="Cloud"]. Although Camp Verde has two losses, both have been close to desert Edge (22-28) and Ironwood Ridge (7-13). Campo Verde has some sleeper prospects in receivers Boston Williamson and [player_tooltip player_id="147766" first="Jersey" last="Blassingame"], as we should see both of them get a number of targets. Interesting matchup between these two schools with some solid prospects, as it could be a nice 6A vs 5A matchup to watch. &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Cactus </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>(3-0)</em></span><strong> @ Sunrise Mountain </strong><em>(1-2)</em></span> 4A Cactus will take on the defending 5A champs at Sunrise Mountain Friday night. Cactus comes off three blowout wins to start 3-0, while Sunrise Mountain comes off to a rough 1-2 start, losing their last to games. However, Sunrise has played some serious contenders with their losses coming to Horizon (15-24) and Liberty (38-41). Sunrise QB [player_tooltip player_id="161970" first="Hunter" last="Kronengold"] will get a huge test against a mean Cactus defense with [player_tooltip player_id="100653" first="Ata" last="Teutupe"], Aki Pulu, [player_tooltip player_id="100654" first="Justin" last="Holmes"], and others planning to get in his grill all night. Very intriguing matchup and a very important game for Sunrise Mountain.<img class="size-medium wp-image-56862 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/IMG_4423-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Snowflake </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>(3-1) @</em></span><strong> Pusch Ridge </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>(4-0)</em></span></span> Two of the top 3A programs in the state will get to test themselves on Friday night. Pusch Ridge is hot with a 4-0 start, while Snowflake found their groove after their week 1 loss at Valley Christian to blowout their next three opponents for a 3-1 record thus far. Snowflake QB [player_tooltip player_id="100690" first="Caden" last="Cantrell"] is a very underrated prospect for Snowflake, and he’ll get a chance to go up against a solid Pusch Ridge defense with [player_tooltip player_id="110093" first="Tyler" last="Mustain"] and [player_tooltip player_id="165931" first="Bryce" last="Jewell"]. We could potentially see these two meet in the playoffs depending on seeding, and it should be a good one to watch to see where bot teams are at midway through their seasons.