The playoffs will officially be in full swing for all conferences across Arizona Friday, Nov. 14, as the 6A Conference and the Open Division brackets officially kick off.

We’re breaking down each matchup and identifying each team’s best win(s), offensive points per game, points per game allowed by the defense and head-to-head this season (if applicable). The team at Arizona Varsity will also provide their pick for who will move on to the next round.

No. 20 O’Connor at No. 13 Higley

Best wins

• SDO: Saguaro (40-37)
• Hig: Brophy (41-38 OT), Highland (20-6), Mesa (25-13)

PPG

• SDO: 20
• Hig: 23.2

PPG Allowed

• SDO: 30.2
• Hig: 25.4

H2H: N/A

Analysis: Higley has been an up-and-down team all season. The Knights started 3-0 before a two-game losing skid to Pinnacle and Mountain View. Key wins over Brophy helped Higley solidify its spot in the postseason, but the Knights limp into the playoffs with back-to-back losses from Williams Field and Centennial. Gunner Fagrell has been the team’s leader all season with nearly 1,800 yards passing. He hasn’t had the type of breakout season he did a year ago, but he has still managed to connect with wideouts for 15 touchdowns.

The Knights are stronger defensively with a few next-level players roaming that side of the ball. Dax White, Justive Brathwaite and Nasim Eason lead that unit.

At 3-7, Sandra Day O’Connor’s strength of schedule assisted the Eagles in making the postseason. Their only wins came against teams who were eliminated from playoff contention — Saguaro, Mountain Ridge and Valley Vista. Four different quarterbacks have seen considerable playing time for O’Connor this season, while running back Jeremy Adeyanju has been consistent as the team’s leading rusher out of the backfield with 1,167 yards and 15 touchdowns on the year. O’Connor enters the postseason after beating Mountain Ridge.

Picks

• Zach Alvira: Higley
• Chris Eaton: Higley
• Ralph Amsden: Higley
• Adam Beadle: Higley
• JJ Digos: Higley
• Gregg Rosenberg: Higley
• Anonymous 1: Higley
• Anonymous 2: Higley

No. 19 Westwood at No. 14 Perry

Best wins

• WW: McClintock (75-36)
• Perry: Highland (35-10), Salpointe Catholic (21-7)

PPG

• WW: 29.4
• Perry: 26.6

PPG Allowed

• WW: 34.9
• Perry: 25.4

H2H: 48-7 Perry, Oct. 17

Analysis: It’s been a rough year for the Perry Pumas who took a big step back after two seasons where improvement was very well known. Kael Snyder continues to be one of the top passers in the state with over 2,200 yards this season and 21 touchdowns. Sophomore Amos Augustine has been his favorite target, followed by senior Max Wendelschafer. Defensively the Pumas have struggled to slow down opposing teams, resulting in a .500 record entering the postseason.

Westwood enters the postseason for the first time since 2014, a positive progression for head coach Brandon Large. The Warriors have also been recognized on a national level with Power 4 recruit Apaiata Tengei leading the defense. Keshawn Barkus has been sensational out of the backfield for the Warriors, rushing for 1,566 yards this season with 18 touchdowns. He’s rushed for over 100 yards seven times.

Picks

• Zach Alvira: Perry
• Chris Eaton: Perry
• Ralph Amsden: Perry
• Adam Beadle: Perry
• JJ Digos: Perry
• Gregg Rosenberg: Perry
• Anonymous 1: Perry
• Anonymous 2: Perry

No. 18 Highland at No. 15 Mesa

Best wins

• HHS: Casteel (26-20), Horizon (24-20)
• MHS: Salpointe Catholic (23-14), Perry (24-17), Westwood (41-15)

PPG

• HHS: 21.3
• MHS: 28.3

PPG Allowed

• HHS: 24.2
• MHS: 20.5

H2H: N/A

Analysis: The Highland Hawks started 0-4 for the first time since 2011 this season, yet managed to gain ground and make another postseason appearance. Paiden Cash Dalhaug nearly led the Hawks to an overtime victory over Mountain View to end the regular season. Cayman Mullenaux has led the way in the backfield along with Kruz Cullimore and Grady Crandall. Yes, all of those names should sound familiar.

Mesa has been surging since five players who transferred in from California were eligible in Week 6. The Jackrabbits knocked off Salpointe Catholic for the program’s 700th win all time, and hung around with Basha following the Bears’ loss to Hamilton. Mesa may be one of the most dangerous teams in the 6A Conference, especially with the Anetema brothers, Rio Arnett and Caleb Tafua roaming the field on offense.

Picks

• Zach Alvira: Mesa
• Chris Eaton: Highland
• Ralph Amsden: Highland
• Adam Beadle: Mesa
• JJ Digos: Mesa
• Gregg Rosenberg: Highland
• Anonymous 1: Highland
• Anonymous 2: Mesa

No. 17 Salpointe Catholic at No. 16 Queen Creek

Best wins

• SC: Marana (20-18), ALA Queen Creek (21-17), Westwood (34-30)
• QC: Red Mountain (30-22)

PPG

• SC: 18.8
• QC: 23.1

PPG Allowed

• SC: 27.9
• QC: 24.4

H2H: N/A

Analysis: Queen Creek is riding high after an upset victory over Red Mountain to end the regular season. The win solidified the Bulldogs hosting a 6A play-in game against Salpointe Catholic. Sophomore quarterback Sawyer Hales has stepped up in the absence of Tait Reynolds, coming into his own after a rough start against ALA Queen Creek weeks ago. Bear Fisher, the Bulldogs standout tight end, has gotten it done on both sides of the ball to help lead Queen Creek to the postseason.

Salpointe Catholic seemed to be on a good path after knocking off Marana to begin the season. However, the Lancers ran into some powerhouse programs and a surging Mesa squad. The ended the season with losing two straight to Perry and Pinnacle, and lost four out of their last five games as a whole. Matthew Avelar and Rayce Alvarez have split time at quarterback this season, while Chris Chaney has been the lead back out of the backfield with 759 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.

Picks

• Zach Alvira: Queen Creek
• Chris Eaton: Queen Creek
• Ralph Amsden: Queen Creek
• Adam Beadle: Queen Creek
• JJ Digos: Queen Creek
• Gregg Rosenberg: Queen Creek
• Anonymous 1: Salpointe Catholic
• Anonymous 2: Salpointe Catholic