Games of the Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's some solid matchups across the state this week! Take a look at the top 3 games to watch this Friday: <img class="wp-image-1061126" style="width: 250px" src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/PRZStockGraphic-crop-645x424-1691629863.webp" alt=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brophy @ Mountain Pointe</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a huge game for both teams that could change the standings in the 6A Central Region. Brophy sits at the top at #1 with their 6-2 record, and Mountain Pointe sits at #3 with a 5-3 record. The #2 spot belongs to Salpointe Catholic at a 7-1 record, but they play Saguaro this week and then Brophy to finish off their season. So this one is going to decide some fate for at least two of those top 3 teams in the 6A Central. Brophy's two losses come against Basha and Williams Field from week 1, while Mountain Pointe's losses come against Salpointe Catholic, ALA-Queen Creek, and Centennial. both of these teams have a ton of young talent stacked up where you get the feeling they'll be chomping at the bit at each other in similar scenarios for at least the next few years. Brophy's [player_tooltip player_id='368950' first='Christian' last='Camarata'] has been a huge standout for me this season, as he tends to be that scrappy kid to frequently find open windows and shows a natural ability to get open and often. Mountain Pointe's [player_tooltip player_id='368905' first='Kaleb' last='Jones'] is a fearsome player that plays with a ton of energy and competitive toughness, and just puts that fear factor in his opponents from both sides of the ball. Really looking forward to this matchup! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/brophyathletics/status/1716276615888662960?s=43u0026amp;t=CHwVAtJaf7AJX4h6oaOkoQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/brophyathletics/status/1716276615888662960?s=43&amp;t=CHwVAtJaf7AJX4h6oaOkoQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Salpointe Catholic @ Saguaro </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the 1st time in a super long time that we've seen 4 losses next to Saguaro's record, but don't get it twisted. Their 4 losses come against the top 3 teams in the state with Liberty, Centennial, and Basha, and a loss against a tough California program in Sierra Canyon. They've battled some key injuries which doesn't show in that record as well, and I still believe they're a tough, legit, competitive 6A team with tons of potential moving forward. For Salpointe Catholic, every game at this point in the year is a big one. They're 7-1 and sit at #2 in the 6A Central and do actually hold potential to land an open division playoff spot, but they'll have to have some other things happen as well. Their lone loss comes on a blowout game vs Liberty, but have opened eyes throughout the state with that 1 loss record to this point. There's a ton of big names entering this one from both teams as well. Some of these guys include [player_tooltip player_id='115524' first='Jaedon' last='Matthews'], [player_tooltip player_id='115500' first='Elijah' last='Rushing'], [player_tooltip player_id='155808' first='Jojo' last='Clark'], [player_tooltip player_id='662992' first='Keona' last='Wilhite'], [player_tooltip player_id='169414' first='Jakobi' last='Spence'], [player_tooltip player_id='739441' first='Zeth' last='Thues'] and many more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/saguarofootball/status/1715136160102801890?s=43u0026amp;t=CHwVAtJaf7AJX4h6oaOkoQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/saguarofootball/status/1715136160102801890?s=43&amp;t=CHwVAtJaf7AJX4h6oaOkoQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Higley @ Desert Mountain </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big matchup between two top 5A programs with a big impact toward that 5A playoff seeding. This 5A Northeast Valley region is definitely one of the toughest regions in the state as you have 5 potential playoff teams. Higley is fresh off a loss last week vs Horizon and you have to believe they're coming in with a chip on their shoulder. They enter 6-2 with their other loss coming against Desert Edge earlier in the season 38-32. This Higley offense is as explosive as they get, as they have 2 guys that can sit back and sling downfield, but it'll be interesting to see which one plays. [player_tooltip player_id='368911' first='Luke' last='Haugo'] transferred in as a top player to watch this season and hasn't disappointed, but [player_tooltip player_id='1134311' first='Gunner' last='Fagrell'] has stepped up big during that 5 game window Haugo had to sit out, and last week due to a Haugo injury. Daxen Hall is another weapon on that offense as he brings a ton of versatility and big play ability, and has to be an identified threat anywhere he lines up. Desert Mountain also enters this one undefeated at 8-0 and is loaded with big time prospects, including the kid who will be staying home at Arizona State with [player_tooltip player_id='169419' first='Dylan' last='Tapley']. They're fresh off a huge win over ALA-Gilbert North 36-21 and have been rolling all year. Right now they look like the best team in 5A, but they continue to have a big target on their back each week and as we creep closer to the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->