No. 1 Marana over No. 17 Casa Grande, 45-0

 

The state’s top-ranked team, Marana, improved to 7-0 on the year after the Tigers beat Casa Grande Friday night at home, dropping the 5A Southern opponent to 4-3 on the year.

IMPLICATIONS: Casa Grande was ranked high enough to keep Marana in the Open Division for another week but No. 3 Higley lost to No. 14 ALA Gilbert North 16-14 which could also have mathematical implications for the Tigers since Marana beat Higley. 36-28 earlier in the year. The Cougars have now lost three in a row against power teams so the program should be in the 5A playoff picture still, especially if one or two 5A teams get pulled into the Open Division. Marana finishes with Cienega, Buena and Desert View – there might not be enough power points there to keep the Tigers in the top spot but a program plays who they play and you have to win them all.

 

No. 2 Desert Mountain over No. 12 Cactus Shadows, 35-28 (2 OT)

 

It took two overtimes for the Wolves to improve to 6-0 on the year while Cactus Shadows is now 5-2.

IMPLICATIONS: Desert Mountain stays in the Open playoff picture with the victory while Cactus Shadows remains form for a 5A playoff spot with ALA Gilbert North visiting next week. Desert Mountain has a difficult road ahead with Horizon, ALA Gilbert North, Higley and Notre Dame left on the schedule. Win them all and the Wolves are firm Open Division candidates, especially with Marana having a somewhat weaker ending based on power rankings.

 

No. 3 Higley lost to No. 14 ALA Gilbert North, 16-14

 

As mentioned before, this loss has implications for other teams.

IMPLICATIONS: Higley (4-2) might still be in the Open Division but it will be interesting to see where the Knights find themselves when the latest ranking get released on Tuesday. ALA Gilbert North announced themselves as a team to deal with down the stretch. Both teams have difficult schedules the rest of the way.

 

No. 4 Horizon over No. 5 Notre Dame, 20-7

 

Horizon improved to 5-1 on and Notre Dame is now 4-2.

IMPLICATIONS: The Huskies lost to Pinnacle 54-51 in September and that loss was close to becoming a power-point bonanza with Open No. 8 Liberty squeaking out a 32-29 win over 6A No. 11 Pinnacle Friday night. Is the victory over No. 5 Notre Dame enough to get a ticket to the Open come Tuesday? Notre Dame has a secure 5A playoff spot.

 

No. 6 Ironwood Ridge over No. 7 Tucson, 30-27.

 

Ironwood Ridge improved to 6-1 and Tucson is now 4-2.

IMPLICATIONS: Neither team looks like a candidate for the Open Division and the strength of schedule for both programs will keep them as strong contenders in the 5A Conference. Depending on how many, if any, 5A teams get pulled up to the Open, Ironwood Ridge and Tucson are now fighting for a home playoff game down the stretch.