Elite Clashes: Key Battles Within the Open’s First-Round Games

<p>The Open Division playoffs are almost here, and you can feel the excitement in the air. The first round kicks off on November 22, featuring what the AIA's formula has determined are the top eight teams in the state, all battling for a chance to advance. This year's first-round matches up four teams from the 5A division against four from the 6A division, adding an extra layer of excitement to the competition. These games are packed with intriguing storylines and key matchups that could decide not just individual games, but entire playoff runs. After breaking down each team, let's dive into the game within each game that will shape the first round.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#8 Hamilton @ #1 Marana</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Air Attack vs. Ball Hawks</h3>   <p>The top-seeded Marana Tigers come into this matchup with one of the most explosive passing offenses in the state, led by quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1587237' first='Colten' last='Meyer'], who knows how to make big plays. On the other side, the Hamilton Huskies have a solid passing defense that has consistently put pressure on opposing quarterbacks all season, anchored by senior defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1353857' first='Ben' last='Jones'], who leads the team in sacks. The key matchup to watch here is Marana's high-flying passing attack against Hamilton's tough pass defense.</p>   <p>Marana's passing offense has been a force with <strong>Meyer averaging 333 yards per game with an impressive 74% completion rate</strong>. He's been able to spread the ball effectively and connect for big gains, often finding their favorite target, senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='368908' first='Dezmen' last='Roebuck']. With a quarterback who's playing both aggressively and efficiently paired with one of, if not the, most explosive wideouts in the state, Marana's passing attack is going to be incredibly difficult to stop. </p>   <p>Hamilton's passing defense, however, isn't going to make it easy. Led by junior free safety [player_tooltip player_id='1177551' first='Niko' last='Jandreau'], the Huskies' secondary has made life difficult for opposing offenses looking to pass the ball. <strong>They've allowed an average of just 169 passing yards per game while allowing a completion rate of just 60.2%.</strong> Their ability to limit big plays has been a huge part of them keeping their opponents in check. Hamilton also has a knack for creating turnovers, with an interception rate of nearly one per game. The Huskies' ability to disrupt Marana's rhythm and force mistakes will be crucial if they want to pull off the upset.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"> #7 Horizon @ #2 Basha</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Trench Warfare: Basha's Offensive Line vs. Horizon's Defensive Line</h3>   <p>In this matchup, the battle in the trenches will be the key; particularly between Basha's offensive line and Horizon's defensive line. The ability to establish the run, protect the quarterback, and control the line of scrimmage will be crucial for both teams.</p>   <p>Basha's offensive line has no shortage of size, led by 6'6" 285 lb sophomore left tackle [player_tooltip player_id='677481' first='Jake' last='Hildebrand'] and 6'5" 320 lb senior guard Sam Garcia. <strong>In the team's eight games against AZ opponents, they allowed just 13 sacks</strong> for an average of 1.6 a game. Also showing up in the run game, this line does an excellent job of driving off the line of scrimmage to give their star running back, [player_tooltip player_id='883266' first='Noah' last='Roberts'], plenty of yards before contact. <strong>The Basha ground game averages an impressive 158 yards and three touchdowns per game</strong>, really showcasing the offensive line's ability to dominate at the point of attack.</p>   <p>Horizon's defensive line, on the other hand, has been a force both against the run and attacking the quarterback. Anchored by senior defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='368945' first='Jackson' last='Murray'] and senior defensive end Nathan Senior, <strong>Horizon has only given up eight rushing touchdowns all year</strong>. Murray's ability to break through the line and Senior's effectiveness as an edge rusher have combined to make a dominant pass for Horizon as well, getting the opposing quarterback on the ground a whopping 30 times this season. </p>   <p>This trench battle will be all about who can impose their will. If Basha's offensive line can keep their quarterback clean and create running lanes like they have been all year, they'll be in a great position to take control. On the other hand, if Horizon's defensive line can continue to dominate and slow down a Basha team that many in the football community view as the top team in the state, there's a good chance they find themselves sitting in the semi-finals.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"> #6 Desert Mountain @ #3 ALA Queen Creek </h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rushing Attack: ALA QC's Ground Game vs. Desert Mountain's Rushing Defense</h3>   <p>This matchup features two of the best defenses in the state, both statistically dominant against the pass and run. ALA Queen Creek has held opponents to just 149 passing yards per game, allowing a 51.8% completion rate with an average of 11.1 yards per completion. They've been aggressive and that's generated turnovers, finishing the regular season with 13 interceptions and 33 pass deflections, showcasing their ability to cover the field. Desert Mountain's defense has also excelled, giving up only 165 passing yards per game with a similarly impressive 51.1% completion rate. With all that said, this game will very likely come down to how well the Desert Mountain defense can keep the ALA Queen Creek rushing attack in check.</p>   <p>As we look forward to this matchup, ALA Queen Creek's offense has leaned heavily on their ground game this year. Averaging 161.4 rushing yards per game with 5.1 yards per carry, they've been efficient and consistently keep the chains moving. Their physical rushing attack truly wears down opposing defenses, opening up opportunities for big gains late in games. The one-two punch of Brandon Brown and Bobby Nesbitt is a great combination of power and speed that's proven difficult for offenses to handle.</p>   <p>Desert Mountain's defensive line will have their hands full trying to contain ALA QC's ground game. They've only allowed an average of 71.4 rushing yards per game and have been successful in limiting opponents to just 2.8 yards per carry. With only two rushing touchdowns given up all season, Desert Mountain's front seven, including standout linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1353782' first='Lucas' last='Blumling'] and edge rusher Sean Hart, have shown they can stop the run at an extremely high level. Their ability to disrupt the backfield and prevent ALA QC from gaining consistent yardage will be key to their success.</p>   <p>This game will likely come down to whether ALA QC can maintain its dominance on the ground or if Desert Mountain's stout rush defense can stand tall and force them into obvious passing situations. If ALA QC can establish their run game early and control the clock, they'll have a strong chance to advance. However, if Desert Mountain can limit the run and put pressure on ALA QC's offense, they could turn the tide in their favor.</p>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Fun Fact: <strong>ALA Queen Creek averages two rushing touchdowns per game, while Desert Mountain's defense has allowed just two rushing touchdowns all season.</strong></li> </ul>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5 Higley @ #4 Liberty</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Through the Air: Higley's Passing Offense vs. Liberty's Passing Defense</h3>   <p>This matchup between Higley and Liberty will, either directly or indirectly, come down to the air attack, with Higley's passing offense needing to find success against Liberty's disciplined secondary. This is a two-fold battle — Higley not only needs to make plays through the air to keep their offense balanced but also to force Liberty's versatile secondary, led by [player_tooltip player_id='739441' first='Zeth' last='Thues'] and [player_tooltip player_id='992791' first='Cannon' last='Garday'], to stay in the defensive backfield rather than help in the run game.</p>   <p>Higley's passing game, which <strong>averages 278 yards per game with a completion rate of 67%</strong>, has been impressive throughout the season no matter who's in at quarterback. Leaning on their three-headed monster at wide receiver — [player_tooltip player_id='1145497' first='Jaden' last='Taylor'], Gatling Drake Walton, and [player_tooltip player_id='1145487' first='JD' last='DeCausmaker'] — they've been effortlessly getting open and making plays, which has given running back Justin Bender plenty of room to work. The key for Higley will be to make enough plays through the air to prevent Liberty from stacking the box against the run.</p>   <p>Liberty's secondary has been effective all season, Thues and Garday have showcased their versatility with both coverage skills and the ability to support against the run. <strong>The two combined for an astonishing 21 tackles for loss from the back end of Liberty's defense.</strong> If they're allowed to crowd the line of scrimmage without fear of getting burned deep, it could spell trouble for Higley. The Knights will need to keep Liberty's defense honest by taking advantage of their talented wideouts and pushing the ball downfield when opportunities arise.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">High Stakes and Future Questions</h2>   <p>The stakes in the Open Division playoffs couldn't be higher. Every game has its own story, and sometimes it's the individual matchups — the game within the game — that make all the difference. A single play, a key battle between a wide receiver and a cornerback, or a clash in the trenches can determine the fate of an entire season. These first-round games are filled with these pivotal moments, and it's often these battles that not only decide who moves forward but also set the tone for the entire playoff journey.</p>   <p>With the AIA's formula giving us only 5A vs. 6A matchups in the first round, it's setting up for potential changes if the 6A teams come out with a clean sweep. If none of the 5A teams manage to pull out a win, it could spark serious discussions among AIA leadership about the Open Division and the current playoff structure. There will be questions about whether the system truly represents the best teams in Arizona, potentially leading to changes aimed at creating a more balanced and competitive postseason. The outcomes of these games will not only determine who moves on but could have a lasting impact on the future of high school football in the state.</p>

The Open Division playoffs are almost here, and you can feel the excitement in the air. The first round kicks off on November 22, featuring what the AIA's formula has determined are the top eight teams in the state, all battling for a chance to advance. This year's first-round matches up four teams from the 5A division against four from the 6A division, adding an extra layer of excitement to the competition. These games are packed with intriguing storylines and key matchups that could decide not just individual games, but entire playoff runs. After breaking down each team, let's dive into the game within each game that will shape the first round.