The playoffs are officially in full swing for all conferences across Arizona.

We’re breaking down each matchup and identifying the previous round’s win, 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.

3A Conference (Saturday)

No. 5 Pusch Ridge vs No. 1 Benjamin Franklin at Westwood

Last Round

• Pusch Ridge: def. Florence, 51-38
• Ben Franklin: def. Show Low, 21-0

PPG

• Pusch Ridge: 36.4
• Ben Franklin: 37.1

PPG Allowed

• Pusch Ridge: 17.3
• Ben Franklin: 8.4

H2H: Ben Franklin def. Pusch Ridge, 35-14, Oct. 31

Analysis: It’s a known fact in football that it’s hard to beat a team twice. Some teams are able to overcome the rematch, while others fall. Pusch Ridge is hoping that is true Saturday when the Lions face off against Benjamin Franklin for the second time this season. This time, however, it comes in the 3A semifinals with a trip to the title game on the line.

Benjamin Franklin has flat out dominated all season long. The closest margin of victory for the Chargers was River Valley back on Aug. 29 with a 24-18 win. Since then, however, the Chargers have outscored opponents 372-73. That includes wins over Thatcher, Valley Christian, Gilbert Christian, Crismon, Pusch Ridge, Dysart for a second time and Show Low — all playoff teams. Danny Norris’ squad it led by junior quarterback Gavin Wyler, who has thrown for 2,053 yards, 27 touchdowns and just four interceptions this season. Senior running back Landon Stetka entered the 1,000-yard club this season and has 21 touchdowns to show for it. The offensive line is stout, the defense flies to the football and the Chargers are determined to hoist the gold ball at the end of the season.

Pusch Ridge, meanwhile, has the chance to avenge one of its two losses on the season. The north Tucson program has been a powerhouse at the small school level for years, winning the state title last season and the playoffs 23 times since the program began in 1997. Simply put, the Lions know how to win football games in November. They proved it last season, knocking off the Chargers 21-13 in the semifinals before going on to beat ALA West Foothills in the championship. Junior quarterback Race Pinneo leads the way of a balanced offensive attack. He’s thrown for 1,713 yards and 21 touchdowns this season with only four interceptions. A trio of backs gets it done on the ground for the Lions, with junior Dylan Shoaff leading the way with 692 yards and five touchdowns on the season. Cameron Shoaff, a sophomore, has eight rushing touchdowns.

Picks

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

No. 3 Round Valley at No. 2 Valley Christian

Last Round

• Round Valley: def. Crismon, 42-0
• Valley Christian: def. Gilbert Christian, 40-21

PPG

• Round Valley: 40.1
• Valley Christian: 33

PPG Allowed

• Round Valley: 12.3
• Valley Christian: 18

H2H: N/A

Analysis: From 4-6 a year ago to one win away from competing for a state championship, the turnaround by the Valley Christian Trojans has been one of the most impressive stories of the season.

The Trojans have seen multiple players step up this season, including quarterback Austin Schuder, who has passed for 1,845 yards and 25 touchdowns this season, as well as senior running back Caleb Goldman, who has 1,357 yards on the ground and 16 scores. Schuder has also gotten it done with his legs when necessary, as he has 832 yards on the ground with eight more scores. Valley Christian has weapons all over the field, which has contributed to its 11-1 record and only loss against Benjamin Franklin.

The semifinals have been the achilles heel for the Trojans in recent years. Two years ago they fell to Paradise Honors in a track meet, 72-56. Two years before that in 2021, they fell to Snowflake, 44-10. In 2018 the Trojans lost to Northwest Christian, 27-6. Valley Christian has been unable to advance past the semifinal round and into the championship since 2009, when the Trojans went on to beat Willcox in the title game. It’s familiar territory with a history Valley Christian wants to change.

Round Valley is a powerhouse in the Arizona mountains that is led by junior quarterback Kage Finch’s 1,814 yards through the air and 26 touchdowns. Fellow junior Brody Crick leads the team on the ground with 1,068 yards and 14 scores of his own. But as of late, the Round Valley defense has been the star. Since giving up 19 points to San Tan Foothills on Oct. 17, the Elks have allowed just 20 points total. That includes a 49-6 win over Apache Junction and 41-14 win over Seton Catholic. ALA Mesa North and Crismon were held scoreless. At the center of it all is middle linebacker Lane Hill, who has 93 total tackles, 36 solo. Freshman defensive lineman Jaxon Crick is a star in the making with a team-high 10 sacks on the season.

Picks

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

2A Conference (Saturday)

No. 9 Tanque Verde at No. 4 St. Johns at McClintock

Last Round

• Tanque Verde: def. Veritas Prep, 28-23
• St. Johns: def. Arizona Lutheran, 13-10

PPG

• Tanque Verde: 42.5
• St. Johns: 41.7

PPG Allowed

• Tanque Verde: 12.7
• St. Johns: 11.6

H2H: N/A

Analysis: The cinderella run continues for Tanque Verde, which is the No. 9 seed in the 2A playoffs. The Hawks began the postseason with a dominant victory over Tonopah Valley, then went on the road and knocked off Camp Verde before taking down top-ranked Veritas Prep. Senior quarterback Rocco Haggard has passed for 1,527 yards to lead the Tanque Verde offense. The Hawks also have three players who have rushed for 400 or more yards this season with a combined 25 touchdowns. The Hawks hope to continue their cinderella run to the state championship game. If they do, it will be the program’s first-ever trip to the title game.

St. Johns balanced approach on offense has paid dividends for the Redskins this season. Coupled with a dominant defense, and they are poised to win a title this season. Six players have rushed for 100 or more yards this season, with senior Trace Nielsen leading the charge with 1,038 yards and 17 touchdowns. Fellow senior Sam Winters is just shy of 1,000 yards and 901. Defensively, the Redskins are led by senior Colten Platt, who has a team-high 78 total tackles, 35 solo, and five tackles for loss. Nielsen, who also plays defense has 17 tackles for loss.

Picks

• Zach Alvira: St. Johns
• Chris Eaton: St. Johns
• Ralph Amsden: St. Johns
• Adam Beadle: St. Johns
• JJ Digos: St. Johns
• Gregg Rosenberg: Tanque Verde
• Anonymous 1: Tanque Verde
• Anonymous 2: St. Johns

No. 6 Willcox at No. 2 Scottsdale Christian at ALA Mesa North

Last Round

• Willcox: def. Benson, 26-6
• Scottsdale Christian: def. San Tan Charter, 14-7

PPG

• Willcox: 33
• Scottsdale Christian: 45.8

PPG Allowed

• Willcox: 11.8
• Scottsdale Christian: 11.2

H2H: N/A

Analysis: Scottsdale Christian has been the favorite to win the title all season long. And, aside from one slip up against Arizona Lutheran, the Eagles have lived up to expectations. Sean Helgeson has been electric for Scottsdale Christian, as the senior has passed for 2,445 yards and 35 touchdowns all season. Everett Salazar has added to the offensive production with 792 yards on the ground and 16 touchdowns. Defensively, Martin Perez has reached the 100 total tackles mark, with more than half of those (52) solo. He also has 19.5 tackles for loss.

The Eagles will face a Willcox team that is in the semifinals for the seventh time since the program began in 1949. The Cowboys last trip came in 2022, when they fell to Pima. Willcox primarily relies on its rushing attack led by junior Kaleb Cooke, who has 1,433 yards on the ground and 17 touchdowns. Senior Ismael Cuevas is just behind him with 16 touchdowns on 962 rushing yards. Cooke and Cuevas also get the job done on defense, combining for 186 total tackles.

Picks

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