Schools that haven't won many games at this point have work to do to reach postseason (unless you're in Division I). But if a school finds lightning in a bottle through the end of October there is hope for November competition.

Section play begins in earnest for a lot of sections throughout the state. With a section title comes an automatic postseason berth regardless of record or power ranking. This "second season" begins with a Thursday Oct. 1 clash in Ahwatukee known more commonly as the Ahwatukee Bowl. Here's a glance at that game and a handful of others that follow on Friday Oct. 2:

THURSDAY OCT. 1

Mountain Pointe (5-0) at Desert Vista (5-1): These Ahwatukee combatants are on equal footing bringing five-game winning streaks to the contest. The series is led by Desert Vista 10-8, but has gone Mountain Pointe's way of late. Desert Vista won nine of the first 12 games and Mountain Pointe has won five of the last six. The last time Desert Vista won was in their state-title season of 2011. Common opponent thus far is Basha, which Mountain Pointe defeated  easier than Desert Vista did. Mountain Pointe is getting the job done on offense with its usual solid ground game and is good enough throwing to keep defenses honest. The Pride have steady performers in running back Marcarius Blount and quarterback Jack Smith. Blount has rushed for 100 yards or more in four of five games and Smith averages about 67 yards a game rushing. Desert Vista is more dependent on the run and paced by underclassmen Lelon Dillard and Keishaud White, who have combined for a little less than 1,000 yards so far.

FRIDAY OCT. 2

Williams Field (4-1) at Higley (3-2): It's not the Ahwatukee Bowl, but is a D-II game between rivals --  the only two high schools in the Higley District. Williams Field has won the first six meetings and the onus is on Higley to authenticate this as a rivalry with a victory. The only blemish for Williams Field so far is a 31-7 loss to D-I Desert Vista. The Blackhawks haven't been as dominating in victory as they were a year ago, but have faced a touigher schedule and remain solid enough to go deep in postseason. Higley, too, has played a more challenging schedule with this a sandwich game between Queen Creek last week and Skyline next week. Higley looks to quarterback Mason Crossland to have a big night to pull off the upset. The under-sized senior has averaged 36 passing attempts and 291 yards per game. Bryce Gilbert lhas seven TD receptions and tops a good trio of targets, including Draycen Hall and Chris Crescione. The Knights' running game is a complementary piece. Williams Field relies on running back Aaron Mason and receivers Max Fine and Justis Stokes. Throw out the 31 points Desert Vista scored against it and Williams Field is yielding just 11 points a game. Its defense may be the difference in this one.

Highland (4-2) at Red Mountain (1-4): Highland has shown it's one of those teams that wins games it should or at least are a toss-up. The Hawks weren't in the ball park in losses to Hamilton and Centennial, but not many teams are. Red Mountain continues to struggle in tight games with three of its four losses by a touchdown or less. The Mountain Lions heavy schedule (the toughest to date in D-I) has them 12th in the D-I power rankings, better than two teams with more wins. This is one of those toss-up games and there aren't many left on Red Mountain's slate after this one (Desert Ridge, Desert Vista, Mountain Pointe). Highland has a win over Desert Vista in its pocket -- a section game played the first week of the season.

Campo Verde (2-3) at Marcos de Niza (5-1): Campo Verde is hanging on to playoff hopes with its defense. A defense that will be tested and can't afford to give up much to the high-powered Marcos offense in this D-II affair. Marcos de Niza has won five games in a row since an opening-night loss to Mountain Pointe. The Padres rely on quarterback Nazareth Greer (1,493 yards passing and 10 TDs) and versatile Shaun Richards, a capable runner and receiver with seven TDs and more than 600 yards of offense. Marcos de Niza is the favorite to win the section, which also contains, Mesquite, Corona del Sol and Gilbert. Winning this one would be a feather in the cap, especially for Campo. 

Queen Creek (3-2) at Marana Mtn. View (4-1): Believe it or not, this is section game for Queen Creek. The Bulldogs have a trio of Tucson-area teams in their section with games to come vs. Ironwood Ridge and Canyon del Oro. Marana Mtn. View has a potent offense so its likely Queen Creek would like to use its ball-control mindset to set the tempo and attack the Mountain Lions' defense, which is not their strength. Queen Creek's strength of schedule is the best to date in D-II and part of the reason it is No. 5 in the power rankings at 3-2. Marana Mountain View is 14th with its 4-1 record.

Gila Ridge (4-2) at American Leadership Academy (5-0): American Leadership Academy has emerged as a one of D-V's top teams after making the playoffs last year and seemingly taking its game up a notch. Whether or not the Patriots can hang with Joy Christian or Tempe Prep remains to be seen, but for now they are rolling. Taking on a D-III team with some success in Gila Ridge (Yuma) is comparatively a good test for coach Rich Edwards and his fledgling program.

Chandler Prep (3-2) at Superior (5-0): Good barometer game for each of these D-VI schools. Chandler Prep has played a little tougher slate of games so Superior has a chance to see what its made of vs. a non-rural foe. Superior has taken no prisoners in routing all its opponents while Chandler Prep has one blowout loss to title-contender Gilbert Christian. Superior quarterback Nicolaus Cruz makes the Panthers go, accounting for 19 TDs rushing and passing. Superior has been effective on the ground and through the air. Chandler Prep is finding life better in D-VI than D-V. The Titans were 0-10 last year (3-17 the last two years in D-V) and have become competitive-plus this year.

Pima (6-0) at Valley Union (5-0): Pima will be challenged with a second big game in as many weeks after outlasting Bagdad in a thriller last week, 40-38. Valley Union is tasked to limit Pima running back Curtis Hancock and twin receivers Jarrett and Justin Kartchner  -- both 6-4 targets for quarterback Parker Blair. Valley Union lit up the scoreboard for 68 points last week in its win over Duncan. Running back Jaret Luzania scored five TDs (three rushing, one receiving and one on a kickoff return). Quarterback Jose Gamez had a hand in five TDs. Gamez threw for two, ran for two and caught a scoring pass.