Which teams can pull upsets in playoffs? Playoffs schedule
Chandler, Peoria Centennial, Scottsdale Saguaro and Thatcher are heavy favorites to capture state football championships -- again.
They’re all defending state champs.
But who has what it takes to pull off the major postseason surprise? With the state brackets for the five 11-man state tournaments revealed, let’s look at the possibilities: Boulder Creek at Chandler
Chaparral at Desert Vista Cesar Chavez at Highland Westview at Liberty
Brophy Prep at Mountain Pointe
Basha at Perry Desert Ridge at Pinnacle
Red Mountain at Queen Creek Horizon at Casteel Sunyslope at Centennial Marana at Cienega Ironwood Ridge at Higley
Flowing Wells at Millennium
Gilbert at Notre Dame
Campo Verde at Sunrise Mountain
Maricopa at Williams Field Mingus Union at Bradshaw Mountain
Canyon Del Oro at Cactus
Walden Grove at Desert Edge
Prescott at Greenway Seton Catholic Prep at Peoria
Estella Foothiils at Saguaro
Glendale at Sahuaro
Apache Junction at Salpointe Catholic Winslow at Northwest Christian
Safford at Odyssey Institute
Pusch Ridge at Page Blue Ridge at Sabino
Fountain Hills at Snowflake
Coolidge at Valley Christian
Benjamin Franklin at Wickenburg
Show Low at Yuma Catholic Benson at Alchesay
Chandler Prep at Arizona Lutheran
Parker at Morenci Jr./Sr.
Scottsdale Christian at Phoenix Christian
Pima at Round Valley Willcox at St. Johns
North Pointe Prep at Thatcher
Red Mesa at Trivium Prep Nov. 3: Mogollon at Superior Jr./Sr., 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 3: Hayden at Williams, 6:30 p.m. its chances are better. Robert Ortiz has done a great job taking over the Mingus program from legendary coach Bob Young. His team’s two losses were by a total of 12 points to Chandler Seton and Flagstaff Coconino (by two).
The shocker
No. 14 Sahuarita Walden Grove has been riding a tidal wave of momentum, winning the school’s first region title. For its efforts, it gets No. 3 Goodyear Desert Edge in the first round. It would take a herculean effort to pull the upset, but Walden Grove has a herculean defender in junior linebacker Rick Avelar and an offensive line that refuses to give up a sack.
The champion
Six is next for Saguaro, which already holds the state record for consecutive state titles at five. And the Sabercats will have to marvel over the gold ball in Arizona Stadium in Tucson with Salpointe in the final again. The favorite
Tossup between any six teams, but Phoenix Northwest Christian (9-1) and Yuma Catholic are the top two seeds. Northwest’s only loss was to Yuma Catholic, 3630, in late August.
The sleeper
No. 9 Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (6-4) is a completely different team with the return of running back Zach Jefferies three weeks ago. The Chargers barge into the playoffs after winning their last three in devastating fashion. They should beat Wickenburg, then would get Northwest Christian in the quarterfinals.
The shocker
No. 13 Tucson Pusch Ridge (5-5) reaching the semifinals really doesn’t feel that shocking on paper, because of how wide-open this field looks. But this is the lowest seed with maybe the most realistic shot of doing this. Page, at No. 4, is no mirage. This is a solid team. Nobody expected the Sand Devils to have this kind of breakout season. But the lights get brighter in the playoffs.
The champion
No. 5 Chandler Valley Christian (7-3) is my pick. Its three losses came in September. But since then, the offense has played great and that 35-28 win at Yuma Catholic doesn’t look so stunning now.