We are now at least five games into the season and some teams have played section games and some have not. As you know, the section winners will earn an automatic berth to the state playoffs while the rest will be fighting for an at-large bid.

Quite a few teams started out well against opponents outside their division but are struggling now. This is sure to cause a major shift in media rankings but the real rankings will start to sort things out come Tuesday when the AIA/MaxPreps seedings start coming out.

Let's take a look at what this all means for Southern Arizona, especially since all the Division II schools from the south have yet to enter into section play:

Division II

 

As mentioned before, none of the teams in this division have played a section opponent yet. That means each team theoretically starts out with an equal shot at a sectional title and the playoffs. But that only lasts one week then all bets are off. Three to four losses puts a team on the edge.

Tucson (4-1), Marana Mountain View (4-1) and Oro Valley Ironwood Ridge (4-1) enter sectional play with the best shot at making the playoffs. Ironwood Ridge defeated Tucson two weeks ago and the Nighthawks have impressive wins over Tucson Salpointe and Tucson Sahuaro. Their loss to Division I power Hamilton in the first week is paying off and it should reflect in the power rankings.

Tucson Sunnyside made the playoffs last year with a record of 6-4. With a record of 3-2, this year's team will have to recover from a 41-12 loss to Gilbert Williams Field pretty quick because a trip to Salpointe (2-3) comes next Friday.

Every game is now a playoff game for Salpointe. The Lancers cannot afford another loss. Same goes for Sahuaro (2-3).

Mountain View is headed for a major clash with Ironwood Ridge to end the regular season. The Section III title may be on the line.

Division III

 

Tucson Sabino is 5-0 and 2-0 in section play with only four games left on the schedule because the game scheduled against Buckeye Verrado was cancelled due to bad weather. Marana (3-2, 1-0) defeated Tucson Catalina Foothills 27-24, making the Sabercats' path to the section title easier or harder depending on how you look at it.

Sabino finishes with Safford (4-1, 2-0), Catalina Foothills (4-2, 1-1) and Marana.

Division IV

 

Tucson Flowing Wells started out 6-0 last year but then lost three of four down the stretch to fall out of the playoffs. Well, the Caballeros are once again 6-0 and 2-0 in section play. The 2015 version just feels different but Oro Valley Pusch Ridge (4-1, 2-0) and Sahuarita (2-3, 2-0) will have a lot to say about Section VI.

Like Flowing Wells, Tucson Pueblo finished 7-3 last year and missed the playoffs but the Warriors are in D-IV now. At 3-2 and 2-0 in Section II, The Warriors control their own destiny. Vail Empire (2-3, 1-0) might have a shot.

Division V

 

Benson (5-0) has an excellent shot at going undefeated in the regular season. That might be a heavy weight with only Bisbee (3-1) having the best chance to derail the Bobcat win streak.

Division VI

 

St. David (5-0, 2-0) and Elfrida Valley Union (5-0, 1-0) are headed for a collision course in two weeks but Valley Union better not look past Pima (6-0, 1-0).  Possibly the toughest section in the state.