Games of the Week (Sep. 9-10)

This week, we have a ton of intriguing matchups which includes an out of state test for Chandler, numerous non-conference matchups, and some 3A promising talent going head to head. It should be an interesting week for Arizona high school football, so take a look at the top matchups across the state:<img class="size-medium wp-image-136931 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/PRZ-Generic-Helmets-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="187" /> &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Cherry Creek (CO) </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>(2-0)</em></span><strong> @ Chandler </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>(1-0)</em></span></span> Two powerhouses from different states will duke it out on Friday night in Chandler. Both teams are loaded with FBS level talent and both come off 2020 state championships. Chandler’s offensive line and QB [player_tooltip player_id="161934" first="Blaine" last="Hipa"] will have to be locked in all game as they’ll face off against a highly touted DE/OLB Blake Purchase. Both teams are very explosive on the offensive side of the ball and matchup well on paper, so we’ll find out who wants it more on Friday night. &nbsp; <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Chaparral</span></strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>(0-1)</em></span><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> @ Desert Mountain </span></strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(1-0)</span></em></span> The defending 6A champs will head to 5A Desert Mountain. This game has all the potential to be a shootout between these two QB’s with New Mexico commit [player_tooltip player_id="42815" first="Brayten" last="Silbor"] and the highly touted 2024 prospect [player_tooltip player_id="115515" first="Brady" last="McDonough"]. Chaparral was upset last week by Queen Creek 33-21, while Desert Mountain enters this matchup 1-0 after a W over Gilbert 34-7. I expect Chaparral to come out hungry and take some shots to start the game. &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_140120" align="alignright" width="225"]<img class="wp-image-140120 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/image0-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> <em>Mountain Pointe 2022 WR [player_tooltip player_id="147767" first="Terryon" last="Rowe"]</em>[/caption]<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Brophy </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>(1-0)</em> </span><strong>@ Mountain Pointe</strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em> (1-0)</em></span></span> This one will be a huge test for both programs, which will include some intriguing individual matchups as well. Brophy comes off a blowout 49-0 win over St. Mary’s and Mountain Pointe comes off a tight 34-33 win over Corona del Sol. One of the most underrated player’s in the state in Mountain Pointe’s WR [player_tooltip player_id="147767" first="Terryon" last="Rowe"] will have a huge opportunity to test himself against an elite DB in Notre Dame commit [player_tooltip player_id="42785" first="Benjamin" last="Morrison"]. The Brophy pass rush was lethal last week, so Mountain Pointe’s OL will have to step up and play lights out and QB [player_tooltip player_id="110153" first="Chris" last="Arviso"] will have to take care of the ball and limit mistakes. Huge game for both teams which could potentially have a big impact later in the season once the playoff stretch gets here. &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>ALA- Gilbert North </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>(2-0)</em></span><strong> @ Sabino </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>(2-0)</em></span></span> One of the biggest 3A matchups of 2021 takes place in southern AZ this Friday. Another potential shootout as two dual-threat, big play QB’s in [player_tooltip player_id="110157" first="Adam" last="Damante"] and [player_tooltip player_id="169422" first="Cameron" last="Hackworth"] will look to put up big numbers to secure a W. ALA- Gilbert North is explosive on the offensive side of the ball with WR’s [player_tooltip player_id="115533" first="Brandon" last="Phelps"] and [player_tooltip player_id="100674" first="Johnny" last="Bellino"], but Sabino is not to be slept on as they have some big time talent in 3A ball as well. Sabino DB Nezayah Stubblefield and LB Marius Lester will have to have big games to compete with that explosive ALA offense. &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Pusch Ridge </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>(2-0)</em></span><strong> @ Eastmark </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>(1-1)</em></span></span> Another big 3A matchup loaded with some big time young talent. Eastmark standouts [player_tooltip player_id="127492" first="Gianni" last="Mascolino"], [player_tooltip player_id="115493" first="Javery" last="Mayberry"], and [player_tooltip player_id="110143" first="Austin" last="Johnston"] will look to continue to carry that momentum from last week’s 19-16 W over Payson. Eastmark’s loss came week 1 against 3A contender River Valley, and their schedule doesn’t get much easier this week. Pusch Ridge comes off a 27-15 win over Walden Grove, and they are stacked with prospects such as [player_tooltip player_id="100703" first="Ryan" last="Fontaine"], [player_tooltip player_id="162068" first="Hayden" last="Hallett"], [player_tooltip player_id="100685" first="Javier" last="Grajeda"], [player_tooltip player_id="110093" first="Tyler" last="Mustain"], [player_tooltip player_id="110129" first="William" last="Way"] and many others, as both teams look to be legit 3A contenders. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;