Div. V football first-round breakdown with predictions
First in a series of five first-round state football playoffs breakdowns:
DIVISION V
Saturday, 6 p.m.
No. 16-seed Keams Canyon Hopi (8-2) at No. 1 Benson (10-0)
Benson has allowed just 46 points. The next closest in Division V has allowed 102. So if defense wins championships, as they say, then Benson looks in pretty good shape. It has posted six shutouts and has not given up more than two touchdowns in a game. Chris Determan is one of the best coaches in the state. Without a 1,000-yard rusher, Benson had 2,406 yards and 36 TDs on the ground. Sacks and tackles for losses are spread across the defense, which is led by Keegan Graf, who has seven tackles for losses. Benson should cruise into the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Benson 36, Hopi 6
High school football state playoffs brackets
No. 9 Tonopah Valley (9-1) at No. 8 Miami (8-2)
Miami looks to ride momentum of capturing the school's first sectional championship title in 24 years. And coming off a victory over rival Globe, the Vandals are feeling good about their chances. But Tonopah Valley has won four in a row since dropping its only game to Scottsdale Christian. It averaged 275 rushing yards a game with Arturo Tapia gaining 1,487 yards. It's hard to pick against Miami, which has something really special going. But I think it stops here.
Prediction: Tonopah Valley 33, Miami 28
Arizona high school football Player of the Year watch list
No. 12 Eloy Santa Cruz (8-2) at No. 5 Kayenta Monument Valley (10-0)
This is a history-making season for Monument Valley, but this is a big step up in competition against a team that beat Queen Creek American Leadership, took Tempe Prep into overtime before losing by a point and shut out its last two opponents, including Chandler Valley Christian.
Prediction: Santa Cruz 42, Monument Valley 18
No. 13 Surprise Paradise Honors (8-2) at No. 4 American Leadership (9-1)
In only its second year playing as part of the Arizona Interscholastic Association, American Leadership picked up its first signature win as a school last week, beating Tempe Prep 21-0. That was the confidence boost it needed heading into the playoffs. Running back Jermiah Boyd is averaging 141 yards rushing a game for the Patriots.
Prediction: American Leadership 26, Paradise Honors 18
No. 14 Morenci (6-3) at No. 3 Eagar Round Valley (8-2)
Morenci came on late, winning its last three games just to make the playoffs. Round Valley's young players have grown up since losing to Show Low and Glendale Joy Christian to open the season. Round Valley should be ready for a Morenci team it beat 40-12 to start this eight-game winning streak.
Prediction: Round Valley 45, Morenci 21
Arizona high school football Coach of the Year watch list
No. 11 Tempe Prep (7-3) at No. 6 Scottsdale Christian (9-1)
This is the toughest game to figure out. Tempe Prep's Tommy Brittain was azcentral sports' Small Schools Coach of the Year last season when he led his team to the Division V final for the first time. Scottsdale Christian is experiencing a resurgence under up-and-coming coach Chuck Gibbs. SCA is very tough at home. Tempe Prep wants to quickly heal its ego after being shut out by American Leadership 21-0. It feels like an upset no matter who wins.
Prediction: Tempe Prep 14, Scottsdale Christian 13
Obert: Breaking down the high school football brackets
No. 10 Chinle (10-1) at No. 7 Bisbee (7-2)
Chinle has won 10 in a row since losing its opener to Division IV power Show Low 47-0. It has not given up more than three TDs in a game since. But Bisbee will be its toughest Division V team it has faced. Bisbee has won six of its last seven games with that lone loss to top-seeded Benson 20-14. Bisbee will try to control clock behind a big line.
Prediction: Bisbee 34, Chinle 14
No. 15 St. Johns (7-3) vs. No. 2 Glendale Joy Christian (9-0) at Phoenix North Canyon
St. Johns is coming off a 35-8 loss to Round Valley. It was its only loss to a Division V school this years. Its other losses came against Division IV Lakeside Blue Ridge and Payson. Joy Christian has two Division I college receivers in Isaiah Goodspeed and Dujuan Lawrence with one of the best quarterbacks at any level, Matt Mitchell, steering the most dynamic offense in Division V.
Prediction: Joy Christian 44, St. Johns 16
Reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-460-1710. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert. Listen to the Which Wich High School Football Preview Show every Friday from 6-7 p.m., on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 with Dan Manucci and Richard Obert.