Friday Night Notebook: Open Division ramifications, blowouts

Jordan Spurgeon

3 months ago

It may be time to start discussing potential playoff seeding as we are reaching the midway point of the season.

On Friday night, there were lots of movers and shakers.

Chandler vs Highland

Well these two teams look like top five teams in the state.

After struggling for years to get over the hump against elite teams, Highland has flipped the script. After beating Chandler in the Open playoffs last year, the Hawks once again took down the Wolves 20-14 on Friday night.

The defense is lights out with play makers at all three levels. Kalen Fisher is right there with the top senior quarterbacks in the state.

I’ll have to ask Kalen Fisher what he called this move. Whatever it is, it’s a first down pic.twitter.com/3Sy3gMS3Ae

— Zach Alvira (@ZachAlvira) September 28, 2024

Highland may be the team in the East Valley destined to make it to ASU in an Open Division championship game.

Mesa schools showing out

Over the last few years, we’ve seen the resurgence of Mesa schools. Red Mountain is consistently playing deep into the postseason as the cream of the crop in Mesa. The Mountain Lions beat Williams Field Friday night 52-28.

Westwood is having a resurgent season, throttling Dobson 48-14 to move to 3-1 on the season. The lone loss is to Chandler. Coach Brandon Large is doing great things with this program.

Under first year head coach Andy Litten, Mesa Mountain View is sitting at 4-1. A 54-0 win on Friday night against Desert Ridge showed just what this program is all about.

Great 54-0. Controlled the line of scrimmage tonight allowing these guys to do their thing.

TD Gang/Players of the game: @stevekmetto interception TD 🤘@porter_wilhelm receiving TD 🤘@talan_arnett 4 catches 98 yards 2 TDs 🤘@ZacharyGalaviz 4 catches 78 yards 2 TDs… pic.twitter.com/LtZViRZFqg

— Toro Nation (@MVToro_Football) September 28, 2024

Mesa high school hung in with Casteel for three quarters, before losing 42-27.

Holy Bowl

No knock on Notre Dame Prep, but it’s not surprise that Brophy dominated the Holy Bowl tonight, winning 40-0.

Notre Dame Prep @ Brophy
Brophy 3️⃣7️⃣
NDP 0️⃣
3:07 2Q

Brophy QB Case Vanden Bosch finds WR Devin Fitzgerald who makes the catch, and moves through a few defenders for the TD!! pic.twitter.com/NZgHppXrYY

— Just Chilly (@JUSTCHILLY) September 28, 2024

Jason Jewell’s team is 5-0 now and a top four seed in the Open Division playoffs is becoming more and more likely.

Winless no more

On Thursday, Eric Sorenson did an amazing Zone Read with Centennial head coach Richard Taylor, who said this is the first team he’s ever started a year 0-4 with. That streak ends tonight, with the Coyotes beating Boulder Creek 42-7.

Don’t forget about this team. Numerous transfers are about to hit the field and all the young players are learning and growing every week. The 6A title could run through Centennial…

Video game numbers

We’re seeing video game numbers happen in Tempe at McClintock high school this year. The Chargers are 5-0 after beating Cienega, 40-14 on Thursday night.

The offense is led by Jaxon Knutson, who is averaging five passing touchdowns per game.

🙌 TOUCHDOWN OF THE NIGHT 🙌
Senior WR Amari Scroggins spins off multiple defenders to get to the end zone & help McClintock advance to 5-0:@Sports360AZ @scrogginsamari2 @JaxonKnutson7 #AZHSFB pic.twitter.com/ej18gR3ktG

— Eliav Gabay (@eliavgabay) September 27, 2024

Wide receivers Kemon Jackson and Khalil Bender are averaging over 100 years per game and Amari Scroggins is averaging 91 yards.

There are many great teams in 5A this year. McClintock’s offense can go head-to-head with any of them. This is a fun team to watch every week.