Jack McCarthy is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Queen Creek High School for AZPreps365.com

Queen Creek's football season has not necessarily gone according to plan. But as the playoffs arrive, the optimism is in the air.

As it heads into the playoffs with a clean reset, the Bulldogs are 3-7 and ranked No. 26 in Arizona, according to MaxPreps. It was up in the air whether Queen Creek would make the postseason, but it was given the No. 14 seed in the 6A playoffs, pitted against No. 3 seed Saguaro. Kickoff is tonight at 7 p.m. at Saguaro High School.

Queen Creek’s record is not indicative of how good of a team it is. Of the 220 teams in Arizona, only five have a harder strength of schedule, according to MaxPreps’ ranking system. All of the teams in its section are in the top 25 of the Arizona rankings, not giving them a single breath week in and week out.

Through the regular season, quarterback Tait Reynolds has been getting it done on the offensive end, in both the running and passing game. The Arizona State baseball commit has thrown 124 of 232 for 1,626 yards and 11 touchdowns, and ran for 525 yards and 16 touchdowns as well. He has been an important piece to the Bulldogs’ impressive 27.2 points per game.

Lucas George has been a major factor in the offense’s success as well. He has rushed for 887 yards and 7 touchdowns in just eight games played, and in one game against Canyon View earlier in the season, had 385 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The offensive side of the ball has been solid throughout the year. As of late, however, the offense has hurt itself with mental mistakes that have to be cleaned up before facing the Sabercats.

The defense has held its own against the best teams in the state. But the constant talent they have to go up against seems to be wearing them out. The offense’s mental errors have put them in tough situations, leading to them being on the field more than they should.

“We have to take care of the little things,” coach Travis Schureman said. “When we make a mistake, we have to be able to move on.”

The players have seemed to band together even more and take on the underdog mentality in preparation for the game.

“I think we have a big confidence within the team,” senior lineman Dylan Laflamme said. “I think with us being together for so long and the brotherhood we have, we’re just ready to go out there and prove everybody wrong.”

One of the major advantages that Queen Creek has is its team chemistry. Senior wide receiver Nick Garcia was also adamant about the togetherness of the team.

“We’ve been playing for a long time with each other,” Garcia said. “We are ready to make that story happen that we have been preaching since the beginning of the season.”

Saguaro is one of the best teams in Arizona given its ranking, so once again, Queen Creek has to try and create an upset opportunity to keep the season alive.

“The kids are excited,” Schureman said. “We have a tall task, but we are grateful for the opportunity to go out and see what we can do.”