By Don Ketchum

Class 2A promised to be the most wide-open football race, and the playoffs have indicated just that thus far.

The quarterfinals will take place on Saturday (Nov. 13) – remember, these kickoffs are at 6 p.m., not the usual 7 p.m. time.

Here is a quick look at the four match-ups. The winners advance to the semifinals on Nov. 20 at Phoenix North Canyon High.

No. 8 Arizona Lutheran (9-2) at No. 1 Phoenix Northwest Christian (9-1). Arizona Lutheran was a contender in 2005 and 2007, finishing as state runner-up before falling back a bit. Now the team is back, although Northwest Christian is tough with running back Casey Jahn.

No. 13 Camp Verde (6-5) at No. 5 St. Johns (8-2). St. Johns won the title in 2007 and 2008 and is knocking on the door again under coach Mike Morgan. Defeating Camp Verde won’t be an easy task, however.

No. 14 Thatcher (6-5) vs. No. 6 Tempe Prep (9-2) at Queen Creek Canyon State Academy. It wasn’t that long ago when Tempe Prep was playing eight-man ball in Class 1A. But now that Knights are a bona-fide contender in 2A and Tom Brittain might have done the best coaching job of any classification. Thatcher has plans for the upset after knocking Willcox from the unbeaten ranks last week.

No. 7 Phoenix Scottsdale Christian (7-2) at No. 2 Yuma Catholic (10-1). Scottsdale Christian will have its work cut out for it. Yuma Catholic’s only loss was to top-seeded Northwest Christian.