5 impression video games in Week 12 of Arizona highschool soccer
Because the calendar turns to November, Arizona highschool soccer turns to the postseason. Though massive colleges nonetheless have two video games left earlier than the playoffs start, 2A and 3A will start their postseasons this week. For large colleges in 4A by way of 6A, that actuality will arrive sooner fairly than later.
With that in thoughts, listed here are 5 video games to look at in Week 12:
Centennial at Liberty, Friday, 7 p.m.
The prepare that’s Liberty saved on rolling final week. The Lions got here out and stomped Sandra Day O’Connor — a possible Open Division crew — 53-0. Even Basha was no match for coach Colin Thomas’ juggernaut.
So, on condition that Liberty enters as heavy favorites, what makes this matchup fascinating?
Properly, it’s the Centennial facet. The Coyotes went 3-8 final 12 months and dropped their opener, 38-14, to Hamilton. However since then, they’ve been on a tear, profitable seven straight. A win over O’Connor three weeks in the past bumped them into the highest eight of the AIA’s rankings.
None of these seven wins, although, have been in opposition to a crew wherever close to Liberty’s degree. So by hanging with the Lions on Friday, Centennial — an Open crew again in 2019 and 2020 — can present it’s for actual.
Saguaro at Pinnacle, Friday, 7 p.m.
Pinnacle’s 25-0 loss to Highland on Thursday undoubtedly took a few of the shine off this matchup, which options Saguaro quarterback Devon Dampier returning to face the varsity he transferred from two years in the past.
However make no mistake, there’s a ton at play for each groups. Saguaro may be a high three crew within the state, however remains to be one loss away from seemingly lacking the Open. The Sabercats have been on this place for a month and responded with spectacular wins over Desert Edge, Highland and Chaparral, however the tenuousness of their scenario stays.
Pinnacle, in the meantime, now has to battle to retain an Open spot that appeared like a formality earlier than Thursday. The Pioneers are undoubtedly underdogs however, in Duce Robinson and Myles Libman, they’ve the weapons to tug off a stunner.
Millennium at Desert Edge, Friday, 7 p.m.
Desert Edge’s season has been a bizarre one. Behind acclaimed sophomore quarterback Hezekiah Millender, the Scorpions entered the season with Open Division hype.
Since then, they’ve fallen off the radar. Not solely are they out of the Open image, however they’re No. 8 within the AIA’s 5A rankings.
The truth, although, isn’t as unhealthy because the rankings look. Desert Edge’s solely losses have come in opposition to Saguaro and Highland — two wonderful 6A groups. It’s nonetheless fully within the realm of chance that every part clicks into place over the subsequent month they usually win the 5A title subsequent month.
Beating Millennium could be a superb place to start out that late-season cost. The Tigers may solely be 4-4, however they’ve been aggressive in opposition to a slew of actually good groups.
Buckeye Union at Northwest Christian, Friday, 7 p.m.
Purely by the rankings, this doesn’t appear to be a notable conflict. Coming into final week, the AIA had Buckeye Union ranked eleventh in 4A with Northwest Christian coming in at No. 14.
Each colleges, although, are extra harmful than these rankings counsel. Buckeye Union has misplaced twice — as soon as in opposition to a possible 6A playoff crew in Cesar Chavez and as soon as in a 48-45 thriller to 4A No. 7 Yuma Catholic. Northwest Christian, in the meantime, is recent off a 31-30 win over that very same Yuma Catholic crew.
The winner of Friday’s sport will set itself up as a darkish horse contender coming into the 4A event.
San Tan Constitution at Camp Verde, Friday, 7 p.m.
It’s laborious for first spherical playoff video games to be notably compelling. That’s very true on the decrease ranges, which are likely to have much less parity.
However down in 2A, this 8 vs. 9 matchup stands out. San Tan Constitution boasts an electrical offense led by junior quarterback Zayden Neill. The Roadrunners’ solely convention losses have come in opposition to the highest two groups in 2A.
Camp Verde has a 9-1 file with a lighter schedule, however the Cowboys haven’t solely received gimmes. They’ve acquired two wins in opposition to groups within the 2A playoffs.
So whereas it’s unlikely that the winner of this sport will take down No. 1 Pima within the quarterfinals, it ought to nonetheless be a enjoyable, evenly contested battle.
Theo Mackie covers Arizona highschool sports activities and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He could be reached by electronic mail at theo.mackie@gannett.com and on Twitter @theo_mackie.
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