What we learned
The road to the 3A final may go through Queen Creek. Casteel, American Leadership and Benjamin Franklin – all located in Queen Creek – are ranked in the top five by azcentral sports. But it won’t be an easy road. Tucson’s Pusch Ridge hasn’t lost and Yuma Catholic’s 17-10 loss to unbeaten Casteel two weeks ago indicates the Shamrocks once again will be in the title hunt. Casteel, Pusch Ridge, American Leadership and Benjamin Franklin have a combined 28-2 record. Pusch Ridge has played the toughest schedule, giving American Leadership its only loss, and beating 4A top-10 Tucson Catalina Foothills (22-20) and 3A top-10 Tucson Sabino (44-7). Chandler Basha junior quarterback Connor Phelan didn’t start playing until three weeks ago after the starter left the team. Phelan helped Basha snap a six-game losing streak in a 47-13 6A Premier Region rout of Phoenix Brophy Prep that basically eliminated Brophy from reaching the postseason. That has never happened since Scooter Molander took over the Brophy program in 2005. Phelan, 6-foot-2, 165 pounds, completed 24 of 26 for 426 yards and three TDs with no interceptions. His QB rating was an off-the-charts: 169.6.
Around the state
which he ran for more than 100 yards, behind what has been a new offensive line this year. He had 301 yards two weeks ago in a 27-17 loss to Chandler Hamilton.
» Marana junior QB Trenton Bourguet tossed five TD passes in a half in a 52-6 5A rout of Tucson Cholla that figured to be a shootout.
» What a difference it makes for Salpointe Catholic to have its two running backs back on the field. Sophomore Bijan Robinson ran for 188 yards and three TDs and junior Mario Padilla ran seven times for 74 yards and a score in a 55-7 rout of Sahuarita Walden Grove. Salpointe’s only loss was against 5A Vail Cienega last week when both Robinson and Padilla were out with injuries.
» Phoenix Horizon has allowed just seven points in its last three games and should be 8-1 before finishing up against rival Phoenix Pinnacle, a school it has yet to beat.
» Pinnacle, behind QB Spencer Rattler, has scored 145 points in its last two games.
» Max Massingale passed for 299 yards and four TDs in a 55-6 4A win over Phoenix Thunderbird, as top-ranked Saguaro (6-2) ran its win streak against in-state opponents to 29 games.
» Top-ranked 2A Phoenix Christian topped 60 points for the fifth time this season with a 65-15 rout of Tempe Prep. This sets up PC’s game on Friday at Glendale Joy Christian, where PC coach Brian Cole returns to the place he led to the 2A title two years ago.
» Willcox, under new coach Alonzo Highsmith, kept its 2A playoff hopes alive with a wild 46-44 win over San Manuel, which fell to 6-2. Willcox (4-3) has won its last two games after falling to No. 23 in the AIA/Max Preps power rankings. Another huge game comes Friday at unbeaten Eloy Santa Cruz (6-0).
» Phoenix St. Mary’s won its first game of the season – 35-28 against Phoenix Shadow Mountain – on a night when the 1967 undefeated state champion Knights were honored during halftime at Phoenix College.