AIA Playoffs Kickoff

Last Friday, the AIA Open and 6A playoff brackets officially kicked off! This year, the formats look a little different after recent adjustments by the AIA. The first round now functions as play ins, giving the losing team from the Open another chance while the losing team from 6A sees its season come to an end. These changes have sparked controversy among players and communities in the 5A division. We will no longer see a lower division prove its strength outside of its own bracket. Last season, Higley, Basha, Marana, ALA Queen Creek, Liberty, Hamilton, Horizon, and Desert Mountain all competed in the Open Division, and not a single 5A team advanced to the semifinals. Now, all we can do is wonder what this year’s Open might have looked like with a powerhouse team like Desert Edge in the mix.

Last week brought several intense matchups, most notably Williams Field vs Pinnacle and Brophy vs Casteel. Both games went down to the wire, with Brophy and Casteel tied at halftime (21–21) before Brophy ultimately pulled ahead for a 51–42 victory. We knew Williams Field had the potential to shake up the playoffs, but upsetting Pinnacle was not on anyone’s bingo card. The Black Hawks proved why they belong in the Open and now face the Basha Bears in the quarterfinals. Earlier this season, Williams Field and Basha went head to head in a dominant Basha win. But the team we saw earlier this year is not the same team we are seeing now. Basha has

dealt with multiple injuries and several star players remain sidelined after the Hamilton game. If there is going to be an upset this week, Williams Field might just be the one to deliver it.

Photo By Thomas Guzman

One of the most anticipated games in the Open play ins was Centennial vs Mountain View, last year’s 6A title rematch with an Open berth on the line. The energy was electric inside Mountain View’s home stadium, a place known for its intensity from the student section to the upside down drummers. The Toros showed up ready. Mountain View controlled the first half behind standout performances from sophomore Tristan Willis, who recorded five tackles, and junior Coy Bodily, who rushed for 168 yards and one of the Toros’ three touchdowns. The tone was set early: Mountain View wanted to be in the Open. By halftime it was 22–6. Centennial found their footing in the second quarter, but it was too late. Once the Toros build momentum, they are hard to slow down. Final score: 22–14.

The 6A play ins carried just as much energy, with teams knowing there was no safety net, win or go home. The biggest matchups were Highland vs Mesa and Queen Creek vs Salpointe. Highland has had an unusual season, spending the early weeks without a true QB1. They struggled to find their rhythm but began turning things around around Week 5, securing wins over Saguaro and Casteel. Still, facing Mesa in the play ins was not in their favor. Mesa’s season has been fueled by determination after midseason transfers from California brought new energy following a financial scandal. The Jackrabbits have been on a mission to prove themselves, and they did exactly that against Highland. The Hawks led early, but Mesa stormed back with 20 second half points to win 27–24. Highland’s last three games have gone down to the wire, but they have fallen just short each time. Mesa now prepares to face Centennial, and if any 6A team is poised to shock the bracket, it might be the Jackrabbits. Queen Creek entered the season with high expectations but was derailed early by injuries. Salpointe came into the matchup ready to dominate, and they did. The Lancers controlled the game from start to finish, ending the Bulldogs’ season with a 23–8 victory.

We are now entering the final stretch of Arizona high school football. Every snap matters. Every mistake is magnified. From here on out, it is survive and advance or see your season end. The teams that remain are not just fighting for wins, they are fighting for legacy. And in the coming weeks, only one will rise above the chaos to claim the trophy. Game on.