Chandler quarterback Mikey Keene and Mesquite quarterback Ty Thompson are headed for different coasts in college next year, but they want to intersect as repeat state champions for their respective schools.

#1 Chandler (9-0) and Keene take on # 2 Hamilton (8-1) for the Open Division title on Saturday at 6 p.m. ay Desert Vista High while #3 Mesquite (9-1) battles #4 Cactus (9-1) for the 4A crown on Friday at 7 p.m. at Highland High.

Keene, a senior and Central Florida commit, finishes his second season at the controls of Chandler's offense and is coming off a sub-par game for him in the Wolves' narrow 35-34 overtime win over Liberty. Keene passed for a season-low 189 yards, 1 TD and one of two interceptions he's thrown all season. That interception was a pick-6. Keene was a nice complement to Chandler's rushing attack in last year's Open Division title game win over Saguaro, 42-35. Keene passed for 165 yards and two TDs - both in the first half  - helping stake the Wolves to a 28-7 lead at intermission. In a region game three weeks ago with Hamilton Keene passed for 236 yards and three TDs and the Wolves' defense shut down what has been a potent rushing game for the Huskies.

Thompson completes four years - three seasons as starter - for Mesquite on Friday. The senior heads to Oregon soon to play for the Ducks. Thompson passed for 248 yards and three touchdowns in last week's semifinal, guiding the Wildcats to the game-winning score in the final minute of a 19-16 win over American Leadership Academy Queen Creek.  Thompson's passed for 3,079 yards and 31 TDs with six interceptions in nine games. One of Mesquite's victories was a COVID-19 forfeit. Thompson passed for 386 yards and three TDs in last year's 4A title win over Desert Edge, 28-23. Mesquite squandered a 16-0 lead in that game and prevailed in the final two minutes on Thompson's third TD pass of the game.

Mesquite' quarterback Ty Thompson clutch in postseason for two seasons for the Wildcats. (MaxPreps photo/Darin Sicurello)

Two other East Valley and Northeast Valley quarterbacks are potent weapons in the 6A title game - junior Gage Dayley for Highland (7-3) and junior Brayten Silbor for Chaparral (5-2). That game kicks off at noon on Saturday at Desert Vista.

Dayley has played at another level in two playoff games thus far. He's completed 28 of 36 passes for 470 yards and eight TDs in that span. Four TDs each in wins over Casteel and Boulder Creek. For the season he's completed 66 percent of his passes.

Highland quarterback Gage Dayley on fire in 2020 postseason leading Hawks' air attack. (MaxPrepsphoto/Darin Sicurello)

Silbor has started 12 games in two seasons (19 possible) for the Firebirds, including all seven this year. Chaparral needed a little extra last week with its top running back sidelined by injury. Silbor responded connecting on 26 of 39 attempts for 355 yards and four TDs in a victory over Sandra Day O'Connor. Season completion percentage for Silbor is a tick behind Dayley at 64 percent. 

Chaparral quarterback Brayten Silbor well-seasoned and efficient past two years for Firebirds. (MaxPrepsphoto/Darin Sicurello)