It’s the MaxPreps National Game of the Week for a reason. There are 36 players with Division I offers. The No. 18 team in the nation and a program with a history of national success. 

This Friday’s game between Basha and Hamilton is more than just another regular season game between two of the best in the state. It’s a meeting between juggernauts.

Hamilton has dominated, scoring well over 50 points a game behind the sophomore star duo of quarterback Jax Sculley and WR Roy Oliver III. The two have connected 52 times this season for 1,106 yards and a staggering 23 touchdowns. But those are just two of the weapons for the Huskies. Skyler Cole, Jacob Brown and Devante Roebuck have combined for over 1,000 yards on the ground. 

On the flip side, the No. 18 Basha Bears have also dominated, and have a national win against Orange Lutheran out of California. Quarterback Brodie Vehrs has become the leader the Bears needed post Demond Williams. He’s also a natural winner. Joshua Gaines and Noah Roberts may be the best running back tandem in the state, and the Bears offensive line is as big as some Division I college programs. 

Both programs have elite defenses, but something’s got to give on Friday night. 

There’s a reason these two have been top three in the Statewide Media Poll all season, with some voting Hamilton above two-time defending Open Division champion Liberty. 

By no means will the loser of this game be derailed from Open Division title contention. If anything, this is just part one of a potentially historic two-part series. 

Here are other key matchups taking place this week among teams ranked in the statewide media poll or those who have received votes from the media. 

6A No. 8 Mountain View vs 6A ALA Queen Creek

6A Brophy vs 6A No. 2 Liberty

5A Notre Dame vs 5A No. 4 Arizona College Prep

5A No. 8 Horizon vs 5A No. 5 Desert Mountain

5A No. 7 Canyon View vs 5A No. 9 Millennium

4A No. 3 Bradshaw Mountain vs 4A No. 10 Coconino

4A NW Christian vs 4A Peoria

3A No. 1 Benjamin Franklin vs 3A No. 7 Crismon

3A No. 9 Gilbert Christian vs 3A No. 4 Valley Christian

2A No. 1 Scottsdale Christian vs 2A No. 6 Arizona Lutheran 

2A No. 8 Chandler Prep vs 2A No. 9 Pima

2A No. 3 San Tan Charter vs 2A No. 5 St. Johns

2A No. 7 Willcox vs 2A Tanque Verde 

2A Glendale Prep vs 2A No. 2 Veritas Prep

6A Conference

5A Conference

4A Conference

3A Conference

2A Conference