Claudia Collins
If you read Eric Sorenson’s Zone Read last week, you know how the media generally feels about the Open Division this season. If you read Spurge’s Friday Night Notebook, you may recall this line: “The Open is dead.”
I don’t disagree. While I think the Open Division will produce a fun championship matchup – the 6A bracket has been the most exciting this season.
FOOTBALL / Updated bracket for AIA 6A Conference playoffs. Next, @FootballBrophy vs. @MVTOROS_AD on Friday, Nov. 29, at Central High School at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the NFHS Network.
AIA 6A Conference Semifinal Tickets: https://t.co/Qu2Y91zZF2 pic.twitter.com/L8gDsdv4ql
— Brophy Athletics (@BrophyAthletics) November 23, 2024
No. 1 Brophy College Prep
The Brophy Broncos have had a heck of a season – one that’s been a long time coming under head coach Jason Jewell. On paper, the Broncos look good. On the field, they look just as good. I haven’t seen Brophy in action since they played Perry in late September. Their regular season matchup was a close one – their quarterfinals matchup…not so much.
The Broncos’ only two losses this season were against Basha (a team I expect to see at Sun Devil Stadium) and Salpointe Catholic. Aside from those two losses, they’ve had dominating wins.
For a large chunk of the season the Broncos were playing two quarterbacks. In last weeks quarterfinals, Case Vanden Bosch and Daylen Sharper were the duo that made magic.
While many of the “flashy” names are also the big playmakers, the Broncos have proven as the one-seed that they have what it takes to bring down any team in this bracket.
There’s no question we could see Brophy’s star-studded team roll into Sun Devil Stadium this year.
The one-seeded Broncos look ahead to facing the Mountain View Toros in the semi-finals this week.
No. 4 Mountain View, Mesa
The Toros are one of the most impressive teams I’ve seen this season. Under new head coach Andy Litten, they’ve been nearly unstoppable. After their rivalry week win over Red Mountain, Andy Litten told me he expected to be in the Open. Expected to play Marana, that’s where he thought they deserved to be.
I agree.
But I also think their 6A trajectory could land them with a ring on their finger in December.
I picked the Toros to take down the Lancers last week in the quarter-finals. It was the right pick but it was by a landslide, 41-10.
Junior quarterback Brady Goodman has been producing all season. As a whole, the Toros have one of the best offenses I’ve seen with Reese Bodily at running back and Talan Arnett at wide receiver.
Andy Litten won a title in his first season at Horizon as the Huskies’ head coach. Who’s to say he couldn’t do the same for the Toros? It won’t be me!
Dare I say this Broncos vs. Toros matchup is the most exciting semifinal game this week?
No. 14 Centennial
It’s safe to say Centennial isn’t having the season most of us expected after fighting for an Open Division Championship title last year. Losses plagued them in the regular season but they’ve managed to pull things together right when it matters. Sure, they’re not in the Open…but like Spurge said, “the Open is dead.”
The 6A bracket is the most exciting for a reason. This division has the tightest competition and the best storylines to follow. Centennial doesn’t fall short here.
I haven’t seen Centennial this season..
But my Recruiting Roundup counterpart Cody Cameron has. Twice. According to him, the Coyotes aren’t to be underestimated.
“Centennial is a dangerous football team. This was a program that had the toughest non-region schedule in the state, and at one point during that stretch, the Coyotes had to start a double-digit number of Sophomores and Freshmen. Don’t let their 3-7 regular season record fool you. This is a physical football team that is peaking at the right time. It’s a confident group that is extremely well-coached. That’s a recipe for success in the postseason.”
So who are the key playmakers we need to have our eyes on? Again, Cody Cameron has the answer.
“Centennial’s senior WRs Nikko Boncore and Shamar Berryhill, have been on a tear recently, especially in the red zone. They are big-time playmakers on the outside for Centennial. Another weapon in the offensive arsenal for Junior QB Kainan Manna, is Freshman WR Torrin Hill. This kid has put together some incredible game film this year, and once again he’s only a Freshman!! I think Centennial’s defense as a unit is playing their best ball in the entire season in these playoffs. It’s a fast, active group that tackles well. They have been impressive!”
Making it to the Championship game would certainly be a “Cinderella Story” for the team with a 5-7 record heading into the semifinals.
No. 2 Queen Creek
It took me way too long to get out to Queen Creek in 2024 and see what all the hype was about. There’s no question the hype begins with quarterback Tait Reynolds but it doesn’t end there. I had the chance to chat with head coach Travis Schureman for quite a while ahead of their Round 1 matchup against Sandra Day O’Connor and he spent about 5 minutes pointing out “up-and-coming” players.
Queen Creek probably has the best offense I’ve personally seen this season. Tait Reynolds commands the game and most would agree that he might be the best quarterback in the state (alongside Pinancle’s Wyatt Horton).
Centennial v. Queen Creek is THE “Cinderella Story” matchup, no matter which way it goes. Last year, the Bulldogs were 3-8.
According to Schureman, this success is a result of the brotherhood and camaraderie that the team has built this season.
There are playmakers on both sides of the ball and they’ve proven throughout the season that they can make quick adjustments to take home a win.
