Making the postseason at any capacity is an accomplishment at the high school level.

Kids push themselves to the limit for multiple months out of the year, through grueling heat and practices all for the opportunity to hoist the gold ball in late November and December. But the sacrifice is more than just two-a-day practices, scorching temperatures and long days.

Some of the programs in Arizona — especially at the small school level — spend countless hours on the road traveling to each destination to play. It’s something that is often forgot amidst the excitement that comes with high school football on the surface.

But especially now with the playoffs beginning, those trips become even longer for some programs. Here’s a look at some of the teams who took long bus rides in the first round of the playoffs, as well as those who will be making long trips this week.

Week of Friday, Nov. 7

Sierra Linda at Lake Havasu – 191 miles

This was a 200-plus mile trip for the Bulldogs, who made their first-ever playoff appearance. Unfortunately it was accompanied by a near 4 hour drive to face off against Lake Havasu, a team on a tear this season.

Result: Lake Havasu 35, Sierra Linda 0

Chandler Prep at St. Johns – 213 miles

The No. 13 Chandler Prep Titans had one of their best seasons in program history with a high-powered offense and stout defense. But aside from the challenge St. Johns presented on the football field, the 4 hour drive to far eastern Arizona added another wrinkle into the fold.

But Chandler Prep was no stranger to long trips. The Titans took a nearly identical trip south to Bisbee this season and won 49-0. But the result last week was far from the same.

Result: St. Johns 73, Chandler Prep 21

Trivium Prep at Willcox – 215 miles

There was a common theme in the 2A Conference with trips being just over 200 miles. The same went for No. 11 Trivium Prep’s trip to No. 6 Willcox. Located east of Tucson closer to the New Mexico border, Willcox is a small town many pass right through going along I10.

But Trivium Prep, located in the far West Valley, ended its over 3 hour journey to face the Cowboys with a trip to the quarterfinals on the line.

Result: Willcox 55, Trivium Prep 6

Morenci at Scottsdale Christian – 219 miles

Even further east closer to the New Mexico border lies Morenci High School, a perennial 2A playoff team that had become accustomed to making long trips in the regular and postseason.

The Wildcats didn’t have to travel too far this season. The longest trip was to Bisbee High School which took about 3 hours. The trip to Scottsdale Christian was an hour longer.

Result: Scottsdale Christian 55, Morenci 0

Tanque Verde at Camp Verde – 221 miles

This matchup featured the No. 8 and 9 teams in the 2A Conference. The Round 2 matchup between Tanque Verde and Camp Verde required the Hawks to travel 221 miles through the Valley and just south of Sedona to face the Cowboys.

The trip will took about 3-and-a-half hours.

Result: Tanque Verde 39, Camp Verde 15

Seton Catholic at Round Valley – 222 miles

This was the second time this season Seton Catholic made the 4-hour trip to Round Valley, located in far eastern Arizona south of St. Johns. The Sentinels visited the Elks to open the season and came away with a 45-21 loss.

It was the second-longest trip for Seton Catholic this season. On Oct. 17 the Sentinels visited River Valley, 278 miles from their Chandler campus.

Result: Round Valley 41, Seton Catholic 14

River Valley at Show Low – 354 miles

Believe it or not, this wasn’t the longest trip a school took for the playoffs last week. But nonetheless, the 7-hour drive from River Valley in Fort Mohave, Ariz., to Show Low was one that may have required hotel rooms for the Dust Devils.

Result: Show Low 21, River Valley 14

Page at Pusch Ridge – 382 miles

Looking up this trip on Google Maps, it was the only one that suggested flying for $583. It would have cut out nearly 3 hours of travel time. It was a tall task for Page — located just south of the Utah border — to make the trip to North Tucson to face the Lions.

This was the furthest trip for a team so far in the playoffs.

Result: Pusch Ridge 42, Page 14

Other notable Nov. 7 trips for playoff teams (100-200 miles)

• Sabino at Valley Christian – 112 miles
• Florence at Thatcher – 130 miles
• Pima at San Tan Charter – 135 miles
• Tucson at Cactus Shadows – 139 miles
• Cienega at Sunnyslope – 145 miles
• Estrella Foothills at Sahuaro – 151 miles
• Northwest Christian at Walden Grove – 153 miles
• Blue Ridge at Crismon – 163 miles
• Benson at Phoenix Christian – 166 miles
• Mesquite at Coconino – 169 miles
• Yuma Catholic at Millennium – 170 miles

Week of Friday, Nov. 15 Trips

Crismon at Round Valley – 202 miles

Arizona Lutheran at St. Johns – 223 miles

Yuma Catholic at Marana – 226 miles

Northwest Christian at Mohave – 227 miles

Lake Havasu at Mica Mountain – 325 miles

Other notable Nov. 15 trips for playoff teams (100-200 miles)

• Marana Mountain View at ALA Gilbert North – 106 miles
• Mountain Pointe at Desert View – 110 miles
• Tanque Verde at Veritas Prep – 125 miles
• Show Low at Benjamin Franklin – 157 miles
• Cienega at Desert Edge – 157 miles
• Estrella Foothills at Gila Ridge – 158 miles
• Eastmark at Snowflake – 162 miles

Week of Friday, Nov. 20 trips

Round Valley vs Valley Christian (at Mesa) – 204 miles

Willcox vs Scottsdale Christian (at ALA Mesa North) – 207 miles

Tanque Verde vs St. Johns (at McClintock) – 209 miles (from St. Johns)

ALA West Foothills at Mohave – 212 miles

Mica Mountain at Snowflake – 226 miles

Coconino at Gila Ridge – 315 miles

Other notable Nov. 7 trips for playoff teams (100-200 miles)

• Pusch Ridge vs Benjamin Franklin (at Mesa) – 103 miles
• Horizon at Marana – 114 miles
• Tanque Verde vs St. Johns (at McClintock) – 121 miles (from Tanque Verde)
• Salpointe Catholic at Pinnacle – 128 miles
• Canyon View at Desert View – 150 miles

The Total Numbers

Players, coaches and fans will go through anything for a chance at the gold ball. That means long trips.

From the shorter trips of 100 miles or more, to the Page-Pusch Ridge game that has the option for a flight, the total number of miles traveled the first two weeks is staggering.

The total miles traveled by playoff teams in that category the first week was 3,650.

That is nearly 5 round-trip drives from downtown Phoenix to Los Angeles. A one-way drive from Phoenix to New York City is 2,408 miles. The drive from downtown Phoenix to Fairbanks, Alaska — located near the center of the state — is less at 3,529 miles.

With the second week of playoffs, that number increased to 5,828.

Now into the semifinals for small schools and quarterfinals for big schools, the number has increased even more. The total miles traveled by schools in the postseason is now at 7,817.

Safe travels.