The final week of big-school football in the regular season is full of rivalry games with important playoff implications.
2A and 3A playoffs always begin.
Battle of Brown Road
Shout out to Andy Litten, bringing Mesa Mountain View the Battle of Brown Road trophy in his first year at the helm.
The Toros beat Red Mountain 43-38.
🚨FINAL SCORE ON BROWN ROAD🚨@MVToro_Football defeats @RedMtnFootball 43-38‼️ pic.twitter.com/k8kQqYFuJg
— Claudia Collins (@ClaudiafCollins) November 9, 2024
The current rankings had both of these teams in the 6A bracket. Mountain View may have just played itself into the open.
Meanwhile, three straight losses likely puts Kyle Enders and his Mountain Lions in the 6A bracket. If healthy, this is a top 4 team in the state. A second straight 6A title appearance could be in the cards.
ALA Queen Creek sends strong message
On an emotional night for ALA Queen Creek, the Patriots sent a message to the rest of the Open division contenders.
The Patriots beat the Bulldogs 42-7, to secure a spot in the Open Division. Don’t look now, but this team is destined to compete for a championship. Rich Edwards has done a phenomenal job taking this squad to the next level.
There was more to this game than the outcome.
Before the game, there was a moment of silence in honor of community members who died in a Mesa plane crash Tuesday and the family members impacted. ALA Queen Creek Sophomore Jack Kimball lost his father and 12-year-old brother in the crash.
Battle for Arizona Ave.
Hamilton wins the Battle for Arizona Ave over the Chandler Wolves in convincing fashion, 56-14.
Travis Dixon’s first regular season as the head coach of his alma mater ends with a 9-1 record.
Now the Huskies await a potential Open Division playoff berth or a top seed in the 6A playoffs.
Verrado success with Jeremy Hathcock
Last year Verrado finished 3-7. In year one with Jeremy Hathcock at the helm, the Vipers finish the regular season 8-2 after breaking Desert Edge 17-10.
This guarantees at least a share of the 5A Desert West Section title.
Salpointe Catholic makes a statement
Salpointe Catholic just sent the AIA computer rankings system into a spiral, with a 45-30 win over Brophy.
Salpointe 45, Brophy 30. Did not look like an upset if you were here pic.twitter.com/TDV1hv1UVV
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) November 9, 2024
All year, Brophy has felt like a lock to make the Open playoffs. Now that’s up in the air.
Salpointe’s only two losses are to No. 1 seed Marana and Liberty. Those quality losses may squeeze the Lancers into the Open bracket.
Big 2A upset
How about 2A No. 12 seed Scottsdale Christian upsetting No.5 seed Santa Cruz Valley? What a moment for this program.
A pick six to end the game sent some tempers flying.
VIDEO – final seconds of Scottsdale Christian @Athletics_SCA over Santa Cruz Valley where tempers flared on a pick six by SCA pic.twitter.com/lcc4Xg9nQ5
— Sports360AZ (@Sports360AZ) November 9, 2024
Related posts:
Jordan Spurgeon
Jordan Spurgeon enjoys covering sports all across the state and telling feature stories that impact people.