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 move on to the next round.

No. 9 Centennial at No. 8 Mountain View

Best wins

• Cen: Higley (31-13), Queen Creek (28-7)
• MVT: Higley (50-7), Highland (41-34 2OT)

PPG

• Cen: 36.6
• MVT: 36.1

PPG Allowed

• Cen: 16.7
• MVT: 19.7

H2H: N/A

Analysis: Centennial and Mountain View will line it up for the first time since last year’s 6A Championship game, where the Coyotes took down the surging Toros. Mountain View is led by the lethal passing attack of Brady Goodman, whose favorite wideout, Talan Arnett, who holds the record for the most touchdown receptions in 6A. Mountain View enters the matchup after a double-overtime win over Highland on Nov. 7.

Centennial struggled against some of Arizona’s best teams this season (Hamilton, Liberty and Chandler), but the Coyotes find themselves right back in the Open Division mix. Titus Hill has taken the reigns of the offense as a sophomore, while senior Owen Reynoso has led the backfield. The Centennial defense is as lethal as ever with playmakers all over the field. The Coyotes enter the Open Division after beating Higley Nov. 7.

Picks

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

No. 12 Casteel at No. 5 Brophy

Best wins

• CHS: Queen Creek (27-0)
• Brophy: Red Mountain (27-10), Williams Field (56-28

PPG

• CHS: 27.9
• Brophy: 33.6

PPG Allowed

• CHS: 22.9
• Brophy: 28.9

H2H: N/A

Analysis: After two straight years as the No. 1 seed in the 6A playoffs, Brophy has finally gotten over the hump and will play for a spot in the Open Division. This is also the first time for Casteel, which has impressed many in their first year under head coach Joe Bushman.

The Broncos are led by senior quarterback Case Vanden Bosch, who has a plethora of weapons around him. Devin Fitzgerald is one of the top wideouts in the state. Donovan McNabb Jr. is also lethal along with Ryder Noche. Harrison Chambers has led the charge in the backfield. The Broncos knocked off Williams Field to end the regular season.

Casteel, meanwhile, enter the Open led by junior quarterback Tee Smith, who has thrown for over 1,300 yards this season. The Colts don’t have any one standout playmaker, rather a group of players that play as one unit. Casteel enters the postseason after a loss to ALA Queen Creek.

Picks

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

No. 11 ALA Queen Creek at No. 6 Red Mountain

Best wins

• ALA: Queen Creek (41-8), Mountain View (24-22), Casteel (41-21)
• RM: ALA Queen Creek (31-28), Mountain View (23-22), Highland (24-17)

PPG

• ALA: 28.7
• RM: 32.2

PPG Allowed

• ALA: 27
• RM: 20.1

H2H: 31-28 RM, Sept. 5

Analysis: There may be no team hotter than the ALA Queen Creek Patriots in the state. Despite one of the toughest opening stretches to a season, the Patriots rattled off five wins in a row to end the regular season. Those wins included Queen Creek, Mountain View and Casteel, all postseason teams.

Senior quarterback Britt Dewitt has been lights out for the Patriots, particularly in the back-half of the season. He’s thrown for 2,145 yards and 22 touchdowns, connecting with Khalil Bender, Nash Proctor and Stetson Agne for 400-plus yards each. Talan Scott has hauled in 37 passes for 386 yards, while Bobby Nesbit is a 1,000-yard back. The Patriots started 0-5 but finished off the season with a win over Casteel to break into the Open Division for the fifth straight year.

Red Mountain enters the postseason looking for redemption after falling to Queen Creek in upset fashion to end the year. The Mountain Lions remain lethal on defense despite the loss, led by senior linebacker Jameson Wade. Offensively, Dominic Carmigiano has helped revamp the offense since he was eligible after Week 5 of the season. Kai Jackson has led the way in the backfield while Airreon Windom has been the team’s leading receiver.

Picks

• Zach Alvira: ALA Queen Creek
• Chris Eaton: ALA Queen Creek
• Ralph Amsden: ALA Queen Creek
• Adam Beadle: ALA Queen Creek
• JJ Digos: Red Mtn
• Gregg Rosenberg: ALA Queen Creek
• Anonymous 1: Red Mtn
• Anonymous 2: Red Mtn

No. 10 Williams Field at No. 7 Pinnacle

Best wins

• WF: Eastlake, Wash. (43-17), Higley (21-10)
• Pinn: La Cueva, N.M. (44-0), Higley (41-11)

PPG

• WF: 34
• Pinn: 35

PPG Allowed

• WF: 25.8
• Pinn: 15.5

H2H: N/A

Analysis: Pinnacle was widely regarded as one of the best teams in the state this season and proved that with their only three losses coming against Liberty, Hamilton and Chandler — who they hung around with. The Pioneers are loaded with talent across the board on both sides of the ball. They’ve played with three different quarterbacks this season — Drew Varsano, Jackson Reader and Antonio Casias, but all have found success leading to a 7-3 record. Pinnacle beat Salpointe Catholic to end the regular season.

Williams Field had high expectations this season with a beefed up offensive line and stud playmakers all over the field. Aside from two early losses to Basha and Chandler, followed by the final game of the regular season against Brophy, the Black Hawks have lived up to the expectations. Junior quarterback Dominic Barjona has enjoyed the protection from his line, while Courshawn Hill has rushed for over 1,200 yards behind the “big uglies.”

Picks

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