6A

Hamilton (3-4) at Basha (5-1)

Brophy Prep (6-1) at Chandler (5-1)

Highland (6-1) at Corona del Sol (1-6)

Queen Creek (6-1) at Desert Ridge (3-4)

Westwood (3-4) at Mesa (3-4)

Desert Vista (5-1) at Mountain Pointe (3-3)

Pinnacle (5-1) at Mountain Ridge (0--7)

Red Mountain (3-4) at Mountain View (3-4)

Chaparral (4-3) at Sandra Day O'Connor (2-4)

Dobson (1-6) at Skyline (2-5)

The 6A region races and 5A region races, which as a reminder don't supply an automatic playoff berth to the respective champions, are starting to come into focus. The Premier Region has Brophy and Chandler on top. Chandler, as defending champ and history of revving up the engine the second half of the season, is the clear favorite after its win over Perry. Brophy edged Hamilton last week for its sixth win in a row, but that streak is in jeopardy this week. Perry should finish strong and Brophy, Hamilton and Basha may be good enough to finish in the top 16. If the playoffs started today, all five Premier Region teams would be in postseason. That would mean almost a third of the 16-team state tournament come the first week of November. Initially I believe the Central Region is a three-team race among Queen Creek, Mountain Pointe and Highland. Queen Creek and Mountain Pointe have struck a blow in their three-way battle for the top spot - Queen Creek besting Mountain Pointe and Mountain Pointe knocking off Highland last week. The third meeting of the trio is on Oct. 19 when Highland visits Queen Creek. The caveat to this is Desert Vista and how it fares this week vs. Mountain Pointe in the Ahwatukee Bowl. If Desert Vista captures the emotion and Mountain Pointe has a letdown from its high of knocking Highland from the unbeaten ranks there is your monkey wrench. Mountain Pointe has won the last six meetings with Desert Vista and seven of eight this decade. The East Valley Region presents a showdown Friday of the two first-place teams -- Brown Road rivals Red Mountain and Mountain View. Red Mountain has the better road to postseason with a 5-2 record while Mountain View at 3-4 needs to win out. The Toros rugged non-region schedule -- evidenced by losses to Perry, Mountain Pointe, Queen Creek and Brophy -- could serve them well if they close 3-0 (Red Mountain, Skyline, Dobson). The Toros are still a longshot resting at NO. 21 in the power rankings this week. The Northeast Valley Region is a bit unsettled. Pinnacle is everyone's choice to prevail. The Pioneers' games in mid-October with Liberty (Oct. 12) and perhaps Chaparral the week after hold the key.  

5A

Paradise Valley (5-1) at Cactus Shadows (2-4)

Gilbert (4-3) at Casteel (5-2)

North Canyon (2-5) at Desert Mountain (1-6)

Campo Verde (6-1) at Higley (5-2)

Notre Dame Prep (7-0) at Horizon (3-3)

Maricopa (4-3) at Williams Field (6-1)

The San Tan Region has Williams Field as the lone unbeaten at 2-0. Casteel, Campo Verde, Gilbert and Higley are 1-1. Campo Verde finishes with the toughest three-pack - Higley, Williams Field, and Casteel. Casteel has played arguably the top two teams in the region and come away with a split (Williams Field and Higley) in road contests.Gilbert is on the back end of brutal five-game stretch of Sunrise Mountain, Campo Verde, Williams Field, Casteel and Higley. Higley must play better defense and has run-oriented Campo Verde, pass-happy Gilbert and the more balanced attack offered by Williams Field in its last three games. If the playoffs started today, all six teams in the San Tan would be in the playoffs. The Northeast Valley Region sports three unbeaten teams in region thus far among Notre Dame Prep (3-0), Horizon (2-0) and Paradise Valley (2-0) heading to Friday. The game in my opinion that decides the region title is Friday as Notre Dame travels to Horizon. Horizon's losses are to Higley, Pinnacle and Marana. Notre Dame is riding a 22-game winning streak in regular season games dating back to 2016. Paradise Valley's final two games are against Horizon and Notre Dame Prep.

 

4A

Seton Catholic (5-1) at Arcadia (5-2)

Combs (2-4) at Cortez (0-6)

Apache Junction (3-3) at Dysart (0-6)

Poston Butte (2-4) at Mesquite (4-3)

Tempe (4-2) at Moon Valley (2-4)

Marcos de Niza (1-5) at Saguaro (6-1)

Shadow Mountain (2-4) at St. Mary's (3-3)

The Desert Sky Region boils down to Saguaro and Mesquite with Saguaro the prohibitive favorite. Both teams are 2-0. Mesquite has won four games in a row after opening with losses to 5A Gilbert and Campo Verde and 4A Mingus. If Mesquite takes care of business in its next two games the teams would be unbeaten heading to the Oct. 26 finale at Mesquite. Tempe in the somewhat balanced Skyline Region will need to find a way to top the region's best team - Greenway - when they meet Oct. 19. Ditto Apache Junction in the Black Canyon Region vs. Glendale, also on Oct. 19.

3A

Gilbert Christian (1-5) at American Leadership-Gilbert (3-4)

Paradise Honors (3-3) at Arizona College Prep (0-6)

Florence (1-5) at Benjamin Franklin (3-4)

American Leadership-Ironwood (1-6) at Coolidge (5-2)

Fountain Hills (2-4) at Coronado (1-5)

American Leadership-QC (5-2) at San Tan Foothills (3-3)

Odyssey Institute (6-0) at Valley Christian (3-3)

American Leadership Queen Creek (Metro Central Region) and American Leadership Gilbert (Metro East Region) are leading their regions and likely will have the best region records when the season ends. However, they are both ineligible for postseason this year so the region runner-up earns the automatic berth. A huge game in the Metro West Region on Friday may be the one that decides the region champ -- Odyssey Institute at Valley Christian. Valley Christian registered an upset on the road last week at Yuma Catholic. 

2A

Scottsdale Christian (5-2) at ASU Prep (1-5)

Chandler Prep (5-2) at Globe (3-3)

Tempe Prep (2-5) at San Manuel (1-5)

North Pointe Prep (5-1) at Scottsdale Prep (4-1)

The Gila Region leader at present is Chandler Prep. Chandler Prep visits Globe this week and a win there gives the Spartans a leg up on the next two closest teams in the region. Scottsdale Christian's loss to Arizona Lutheran last week makes it tough for the Eagles to rally back to become Agua Fria Region champ. Tough game remaining with Phoenix Christian the likely other region title contender. Scottsdale Prep's matchup this week with North Pointe Prep gives the winner the keys to driving the Salt Region to the finish.