Playoff Round One Best Games

<p>The Playoffs have officially kicked off, bringing a new twist to the 6A and Open Division playoff format. This year, the Open Division adds extra drama as its first-round losers drop into the 6A bracket, creating one of the most competitive playoff fields we've seen. That means every 6A and Open Division matchup this week feels like a play-in game. Win, and you're in the mix with some of the best teams in the state. Football is at its peak. Here are the Open/6A Playoff Round One Best Games:</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Centennial (7-3) vs. Mountain View (6-4)</h2>   <p>By far one of the most intriguing matchups of the Open Division play-in is the Centennial Coyotes heading into Mesa to face the Mountain View Toros. The reigning 6A champion Coyotes are continuing their momentum into the postseason, as they have won their last three, most recently beating Higley 31-13. The Toros are also on a roll, prevailing in overtime against Highland, 41-34. Both teams have outstanding signal callers. For the Toro's offense, it is QB [player_tooltip player_id='1369417' first='Brady' last='Goodman'] who had a stellular game against Highland. He had 250 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 138 rushing yards and 3 rushing TDs with no turnovers. His top target was [player_tooltip player_id='1577760' first='Talan' last='Arnett'] who had 160 of those receiving yards and all 3 receiving TDs. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1325884' first='Titus' last='Hill'] soundly led his team by with a clean game last outing, posting 223 passing yards and 1 touchdown with no turnovers. This matchup will largely come down to who's signal caller has the ball at the end of the game. Mountain View LB [player_tooltip player_id='1690404' first='Preston' last='Patterson'] is ready to wreak havoc on the Coyotes offense. Meanwhile Centennials defensive line of DL Javier Chacon and DL [player_tooltip player_id='883404' first='Luke' last='Franklin'] will look to hem in Goodman and keep him from escaping the pocket.</p>   <p><strong>Mountain View QB [player_tooltip player_id='1369417' first='Brady' last='Goodman'] and WR [player_tooltip player_id='1577760' first='Talan' last='Arnett']</strong></p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">William Field (7-3) vs. Pinnacle (7-3)</h2>   <p>The Williams Field Black Hawks will head up to North Phoenix to face the Pinnacle Pioneers in an Open Division play-in contest. The Black Hawks are entering this postseason off a tough lose to Brophy Prep to end the regular season, losing 56-28. The Pioneers are riding high off a good win against Salpointe Catholic, 28-21. The key matchup in this game will be the Pinnacle front seven versus this deadly rushing attack from Williams Field. The Williams Field running backs have been the headline of this team, with backs like RB [player_tooltip player_id='1369422' first='Courshawn' last='Hill'] and RB [player_tooltip player_id='1430235' first='Q' last='Skillings'] at the helm to make for a dynamic one-two punch. This defense will certainly be up to the task with a fantastic front seven with players like DL Cayden Cresswell coming off a 2 TFL and 1 sack game, DB [player_tooltip player_id='884086' first='Kash' last='Silva'], who had 10 tackles last game, LB [player_tooltip player_id='884067' first='Aiden' last='Ramos'], and DL [player_tooltip player_id='1682193' first='Haydon' last='Franklin']. TE [player_tooltip player_id='1682317' first='Tyson' last='Muniz'] for Pinnacle will look to be a sneaky contributor as he had a huge game against Salpointe Catholic, with 8 catches for over 100 yards receiving and a touchdown. DB Breydan Morales for Williams Field will look to shut down this hot matchup early in this game.</p>   <p><strong>Pinnacle TE [player_tooltip player_id='1682317' first='Tyson' last='Muniz']</strong></p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Highland (4-6) vs. Mesa (6-4)</h2>   <p>This game is for a 6A play-in opportunity as the Highland Hawks will head into Mesa to face the Jackrabbits. Highland is coming off a hard defeat at the hands of Mountain View, losing in OT 41-34. Mesa is coming off a victory against Westwood, beating them 41-15. Mesa offense has a three headed monster of offensive weapons that can hurt you in a variety of ways. QB Kane Anetema was electric last game, throwing for 231 yards and 3 passing touchdowns. Then there is RB Rio Arnett who is coming off a 100 rushing game and a touchdown and WR Caleb Tafua who had 100 receiving and a touchdown. It's going to make it difficult for this Highland defense to contend with, but LB Cole Allen, who had 8 tackles, 3 TFLs, and 2 forced fumbles along with LB Tu Pauga are up for the task. Mesa's defense led by LB Ezekiel Estep, who had 12 tackles and 2 TFLs last game, DL Motuhifonua Stephenson, who had 9 tackles and a sack, and DB [player_tooltip player_id='1697600' first='Kameron' last='Williams'], who had a pick, are looking to lock down Highland's offense. Highland will be leaning on that rushing attack from RB Cayman Mullenaux and RB [player_tooltip player_id='1603411' first='Kruz' last='Cullimore'] to get the job done.</p>   <p><strong>Highland LB Cole Allen </strong></p>

The Playoffs have officially kicked off, bringing a new twist to the 6A and Open Division playoff format. This year, the Open Division adds extra drama as its first-round losers drop into the 6A bracket, creating one of the most competitive playoff fields we've seen. That means every 6A and Open Division matchup this week feels like a play-in game. Win, and you're in the mix with some of the best teams in the state. Football is at its peak. Here are the Open/6A Playoff Round One Best Games: