The MaxPreps Game of the Week had everything … which is unfortunate depending on how you look at it.
Explosive plays from the Hamilton super sophomore duo of quarterback Jax Sculley and receiver Roye Oliver were very much present, as they have been all season. A physical battle between both offenses and defenses showed why Arizona high school football is one of the best in the nation.
There were also injuries, including to Basha quarterback Brody Vehrs. Nobody will ever know if it would have changed the outcome of the game.
But ultimately, the matchup of the regular season showed the tide has shifted in Chandler, and perhaps the state.
Hamilton makes national statement with win over Basha
The Huskies came to play.
They were without one of the Jandreau twins on defense, but the physicality of the unit as a whole still limited Basha’s offensive production … at least for the Bears’ standard. Quarterback Brody Vehrs exited in the first half with a shoulder injury. According to Arizona Varsity reporter Adam Beadle, he was in a sling on the sideline following the injury.
That changed the dynamic of the game for Basha, as the Bears tried to rely heavily on its run game with Noah Roberts and Joshua Gaines. But Hamilton’s front seven is elite.
Hamilton quarterback Jax Sculley and receiver Roye Oliver III did what they’ve done all season and connected on explosive plays. The two connected seven times for 210 yards and two touchdowns. Oliver became the new record holder for touchdowns in 6A in the process.
Hamilton went on to beat Basha 28-12. The Huskies jumped to No. 20 in the MaxPreps national rankings. It’s the first time since 2021 they are in the MaxPreps top 25.
ALA Queen Creek keeps on winning
Since starting the season an uncharacteristic 0-5, the ALA Queen Creek Patriots have rattled off three wins in a row. The first came against Desert Vista in convincing fashion, followed by a dominant tilt against rival Queen Creek.
This past week, the Patriots took down a Mountain View team that has been consistently ranked in the top 10 of the Arizona Varsity Statewide Media Rankings, 24-22.
Britt Dewitt has found a rhythm through the air with wideout Khalil Bender. The ALA defense, led by longtime defensive coordinator James Verinski, has shined.
The Patriots still have a bit to go to be in the contender status, but they aren’t far off.
Canyon View outlasts Millennium in West Valley battle
This matchup had it all. Two of the top teams in the 5A Conference battling it out in the West Valley. In the end, a 30-yard pass from Canyon View quarterback Brady Scott to wideout Jay’Mari Hector with 11 seconds remaining was the difference in the Jaguars’ 44-37 victory.
Canyon View moves to 7-2 on the year with the win, while the loss is also the second of the season for Millennium. Between the Jaguars, Tigers, Desert Edge and Tolleson, the 5A Desert West may very well be the best region in the conference this season.
The Scorpions have been the unanimous No. 1 team all season. They are a win over rival Millennium away from being perfect in the regular season.
2A playoff brackets revealed
The 2A football playoff brackets were revealed Saturday morning. Veritas Prep, which knocked off Phoenix Christian in convincing fashion two weeks ago, is the No. 1 seed. Scottsdale Christian, the unanimous No. 1 team in the conference all season in the Arizona Varsity Statewide Media Poll, is No. 2 in the AIA rankings.
Those two teams, along with the rest of the top 8, will have a bye week to begin the postseason.
Below is a look at the top 8 teams in the 2A playoffs, as well as first-round matchups for the 9-24 seeds.
- Veritas Prep
- Scottsdale Christian
- Phoenix Christian
- St. Johns
- Arizona Lutheran
- Willcox
- San Tan Charter
- Camp Verde
First Round Matchups
24 Tonopah Valley at 9 Tanque Verde
23 Holbrook at 10 Pima
22 Mountainside at 11 Trivium Prep
21 Scottsdale Prep at 12 Parker
20 Alchesay at 13 Chandler Prep
19 Globe at 14 Benson
18 Tuba City at 15 Morenci
17 Santa Cruz Valley at 16 Glendale Prep
Other notable storylines
- Mesa took down Perry for the first time since 2021
- Casa Grande beat Vista Grande in a battle of the city
- Desert View continued its winning ways by scoring 70 points against Cienega
- Horizon beat Desert Mountain 35-22 in a Scottsdale battle
- Maryvale’s win streak extended to four games with a 49-18 victory over Carl Hayden
- For just the second time since 2012, Marcos de Niza is 8-1
- Ben Franklin continues to roll and now faces Pusch Ridge in a battle of 3A powers
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