Week Nine’s Best Games

Hogan Miller October 24, 2025 @ 10:30 AM

<p>Week Nine is here, and the energy across the state is at an all-time high. Region races are coming down to the wire, and every snap matters as teams fight for position heading into the final stretch. This week also features what many are calling the "Game of the Year", a matchup that could shift the balance of power and define the rest of the season. Expect packed stands, playoff-level intensity, and statement performances across the board. Here are Week Nine's Best Games:</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Basha (7-0) vs Hamilton (7-0)</h2>   <p>This game won't have just effects on the state, but on the nation as the Basha Bears will head down Chandler to face their region rival in the Hamilton Huskies. Both teams come into this competition unbeaten. Basha is nationally ranked, Hamilton is a top team in the state, with players on both sides holding a multitude of D1 offers going head-to-head. What more can you ask for? Now, which matchups are the most intriguing? It has to start with the signal callers. Both have been outstanding, with Basha's QB [player_tooltip player_id='1369445' first='Brodie' last='Vehrs'] getting it down on the ground and through the air, with 20 combined TDs to only 3 INTs. Hamilton QB Jax Sculley has also been unreal with already 35 passing TDs on the season, including 5 in his last outing. The pass rush is going to need to be the difference in this game. Basha has a great front four with players like DL [player_tooltip player_id='1399785' first='Caleb' last='Jordan'], DL [player_tooltip player_id='1369395' first='Dante' last='Bruley'], and DL [player_tooltip player_id='1120340' first='Landen' last='Wade'] who all have a combine 20.5 sacks on the 2025 season. Meanwhile, Hamilton defensive line will be looking to players like DL [player_tooltip player_id='1399752' first='Derrick' last='LeBlanc'] Jr., DL Austin Liburdi and LB Justin Vogt who as a group have a combined 15 sacks on the year.</p>   <p><strong>Basha DL [player_tooltip player_id='1369395' first='Dante' last='Bruley']</strong></p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Casteel (4-3) vs Corona Del Sol (3-4)</h2>   <p>An underappreciated matchup that we have the can really make or break two teams in the 6A Division is the Casteel Colts heading into Tempe to face the Corona Del Sol Aztecs. Casteel is coming off a commanding win over Desert Vista, beating them 55-21. Corona is also coming off a shutout win to Desert Ridge, 44-0. This matchup features dynamic weapons on the outside that can break the game open at a moment's notice. For Casteel, they have two guys in WR Eric Avila, who had two receiving TDs in his last game, and WR Brody Smith, who had over 100 receiving yards as well as 2 receiving TDs in his previous outing. On the other hand, Corona has a chess piece in WR [player_tooltip player_id='884448' first='Jamar' last='Patterson'], who is coming off a 76-yard, 1-TD outing. Casteel CB Luke Herron will be looking to minimize his impact on the Colts' defense after getting a pick against Desert Vista.</p>   <p><strong>Casteel WR Brody Smith</strong></p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Desert View (8-0) vs Cienega (5-3)</h2>   <p>We have an intriguing 5A matchup as the Desert View Jaguars will head to Vail in Tucson to face the Cienega Bobcats in a high-intensity regional matchup. Desert View continues to stay undefeated after beating Canyon Del Oro, 41-7. Cienega has been quietly racking up wins, now with 3 in a row, beating Flowing Wells 28-20. The key for this matchup will be the Cienega offense versus the Desert View defense, and who will prevail in the end. The connection from Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='286018' first='Julian' last='Hainley'] to WR Jaden Rodgers will matter mightily in whether the Bobcats will come out on top in this matchup. The Jaguars' defense will be looking to DB Junior Garnett and LB Robert Medrano to slow this pair down.</p>   <p><strong>Desert View LB Robert Medrano</strong></p>

Week Nine is here, and the energy across the state is at an all-time high. Region races are coming down to the wire, and every snap matters as teams fight for position heading into the final stretch. This week also features what many are calling the "Game of the Year", a matchup that could shift the balance of power and define the rest of the season. Expect packed stands, playoff-level intensity, and statement performances across the board. Here are Week Nine's Best Games: