Get used to the word 'gauntlet' as the season begins turning toward region play and eventually the postseason.

It's an accurate way to describe the journey many top contenders will face on a weekly basis, specifically in 6A where top teams are battling for coveted spots in the eight-team Open division playoffs.

Schools like Brophy and Centennial faced top teams early on. Liberty and Basha took on natoinal powers from California. Things don't much easier the rest of the way. Brophy will be favored to win the 6A Central, but the Broncos still face two elite opponents in Notre Dame Prep (tonight) before a showdown with Basha next week. 

"There's no doubt our schedule is one of the toughest in the state, but we knew that going in," Brophy coach Jason Jewell said in August. "We have to stay focused every week and every game."

Chandler coach Rick Garretson joined the Wolves football staff in 2010 and was named head coach in 2019. He's coached elite players, elite teams and been a part of six state titles. 

He's gotten used to elite opponents as well, and believes it's the best way to improve over the season

Last year, the Wolves non-region slate included Highland, Open runner-up Centennial and Orange Lutheran out of California, which was nationally ranked at the time. Considering Chandler's Primier region opponents include Hamilton, Basha, Perry and Casteel, the Wolves scheduling seems even more courageous. Before region play starts for Chandler, Highland and Liberty are next up, making Chandler's remaining schedule arguably the state's most challenging.

"This is how I prefer it," Garretson says of stacking top opponents outside of region. "These games are why we coach and these games are why kids love to play for Chandler."

Chandler vs. Highand 

Tonight Chandler enters its gauntlet phase of the schedule, as does its opponent, Highland.

Perhaps the highest profile game of the week, these perennial 6A powers are both undefeated entering this non-region clash. 

The schools faced off twice last season and both were classics. Highland reached the Open playoffs for the first time in its history, and avenged a regular season loss to Chandler with a 19-14 victory in round one. It was the first year since 2012 the Wolves failed to win a playoff contest, 6A or otherwise.

But it's 2024 now, and Chandler's priority at this point is improving its young roster each week. After a scare in week one, Chandler has reeled off three dominant wins, but tonight's oppponent should be this season's toughest to date. Like Chandler, Highland has integrated a lot of new starters this year on both sides of the ball. The Hawks should have an advantage at quarterback with third-year starter Kalen Fisher. Chandler has been using a two QB's in sophomore Will Mencl  and junior Dominic Carmigiano, who have alternated starts and series. 

Coach Garretson likes the way the offense has operated using both. 

"We've been using them like this going back to spring ball," Garretson said of his dual quarterback offense. "The only change we've made is alternating them every series to every other series, which has worked out.  I believed we've only punted once in the two games." 

Mencl and Carmigiano have combined for over 700 passing yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions. Senior Tristan Halsana has carried the rushing load with 571 yards and 11 touchdowns.

 

Highland tight end Hayden Daugherty (right) catches a pass earlier this season against Centennial. (Photo by Corey Cross)

Highland will be without leading rusher Kash Allen who suffered a leg injury last week. This means Fisher may need to absorb more of the offensive game plan against Chandler. The 6-4 Fisher has completed passes to 12 different receivers. Junior Max Brown leads the Hawks' receiving corps with three touchdown receptions.

 

Red Mountain (4-0) vs. Williams Field (3-1)

If Red Mountain wants to reach the Open playoffs, the Mountain Lions likely need to win at least four of its final six games. East Valley Region play starts tonight with a trip to Williams Field. After three blowouts to open the season, Red Mountain found itself in a shootout last week against Downey High from California. The Mountain Lions hung on for a 35-32 win, but Enders still had concerns.

"We had a lot to clean up this week going into region play," Red Mountain coach Kyle Enders. "We have to be locked in because we know how tough our schedule is in the second part of the season."

Senior quarterback Simon Lopez has already thrown for over 1,000 yards with 12 touchdowns and only one interception. Receiver Bode Wagner is a speedster who can break open big plays as a rusher and kick return specialist.

 

Williams Field showed it can play with the best during a 35-28, last second loss to Brophy in week one. Since then the Blackhawks have not been challenged. Junior Courshawn Hill has led the ground game and he'll be facing a stout defensive front in Red Mountain. If Williams Field can run the ball effectively, it will set up quarterback Kody Guy off play action. Trey Foster and Braeden Kirsner have been Guy's favorite targets so far.

The Blackhawks started off 4-0 last year before falling to Red Mountain in this same week five region contest.