Oct. 15-16 football at a glance

October 14, 2015 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


The door remains open for section-title contention, even if it's only slightly cracked. Several sections have unbeaten teams in section play facing off and in some cases one of those teams needs to win its section to extend play to November.

Here are a few games of note for Thursday Oct. 15 and Friday Oct. 16 as well as a rundown of what's up for grabs in D-IV in its final week of the regular season:

THURSDAY OCT. 15

Liberty (2-5, 2-0) at Chaparral (5-2, 1-1):  Liberty has won two games in a row after an 0-5 start in its first year in D-I and that's raised hope it can make a statement in its section. Liberty need not win the section to make the playoffs since 16 of the 17 D-I teams qualify and it is safely in that range. The Lions' wins are over Pinnacle and winless Horizon, but there is little doubt they've made strides since the first couple games. Chaparral absorbed a gut-wrenching loss to Centennial last week so the Firebirds look to rebound. Chaparral's other loss was to Chandler. If Liberty can make a game of this -- win or lose -- it would send a message it won't be a pushover come the playoffs. Liberty also faces section co-leader Centennial in the finale Oct. 30.

FRIDAY OCT. 16

Desert Ridge (5-2, 1-1) at Red Mountain (3-4, 2-0): Red Mountain has won back-to-back games and tight games are beginning to go its way. Like Liberty, the Mountain Lions have seen an uptick in their performance as the season hits the back stretch. Desert Ridge is a stiff test with the Jaguars coming off a near mild-upset of unbeaten Mountain Pointe. Red Mountain has a shot at a top-eight finish in the power rankings (it is No. 8 currently), but that likely would require two wins in its final three games (Mountain View and Mountain Pointe are its other opponents). A victory - an upset -- would keep Red Mountain in the hunt for the section title.

Mesa (6-1, 2-0) at Williams Field (6-1, 2-0): These teams are on parallel paths. Each won its season opener, lost its second game and have strung together five consecutive victories. The winner gets a shot at unbeaten Skyline, who faces Williams Field next week and Mesa the final week. That's provided Skyline (7-0) doesn't lose to Dobson (0-7) this week. Mesa and Williams Field have never met with Williams Field moving up this season from D-III to D-II and Mesa coming down from D-I to D-II.  

Saguaro (5-2, 2-0) at Apollo (5-2, 2-0): Saguaro has rediscovered its groove after consecutive losses to D-I Centennial and Pinnacle. That's no surprise. The surprise here would be Apollo hanging with Saguaro for more than a half. They have a common opponent in Valley Vista with Saguaro beating Valley Vista, 62-6 and Apollo losing to Valley Vista, 30-21. Those games were the first two weeks of the season. Apollo is clinging to a playoff berth in D-II at No. 13 at present. 

Thunderbird (5-2, 2-0) at Sunnyslope (6-1, 2-0): Sunnyslope can put a stranglehold on the section title with a win and on paper the Vikings chances look good. Its only loss is to top-ranked and unbeaten Paradise Valley and its played very well other than that rout. The teams have a common foe in Notre Dame Prep. Sunnyslope pounded NDP, 34-7 while T-Bird dropped a 27-19 decision. Sunnyslope's all-purpose back Jeff Goebel has been busy. Goebel has 1,127 yards rushing and receiving and 14 TDs. Thunderbird is paced by running back Dominque King (778 yards, 10 TDs). King has rushed for 100 yards or more in four games. Thunderbird's strength of schedule hasn't been good so a win in this one could help them climb from the No. 23 spot.

Chinle (6-1, 3-0) at Ganado (4-3, 3-0): These schools are new to D-V and having a shot at a section title is a rare thing. Over the last 10 years the schools have split 10 meetings, although Chinle has won four of the last five. Last year Chinle prevailed, 41-6. Chinle hasn't made a postseason appearance since 2010 and Ganado last played a playoff game in 2007. Chinle is in better shape to qualify for postseason if it doesn't win the section title. The Wildcats are currently No. 9 in the power-rankings. Ganado needs the victory (section title) more since it is at No. 25 in the power-rankings with three games left.

Benson (7-0, 2-0) at Bisbee (5-1, 2-0): Benson hung on to the No. 1 spot in this week's D-V power rankings and can cement the section title if it prevails this week. Benson will make the playoffs for the fourth straight year regardless and aims to go further than one round in 2015. Benson has pitched five shutouts, including four in row. The Bobcats have allowed  26 points all season. They are led by quarterback Nick Hernandez (16 TDs and no interceptions) and a ground game that features a handful of capable backs. Bisbee has a marquee win over Santa Cruz Valley, 48-46, but will be the underdog. Bisbee is led by quarterback Danny Barrow (12 TDs passing, 6 TDs rushing) and senior running back Tony Chavez (901 yards rushing, 10 TDs) The Pumas are comfortably resting at No. 5 in the power-rankings..

Tempe Prep (5-2, 3-0) at Santa Cruz Valley (6-1, 3-0): Santa Cruz Valley is assured a winning season for the first time since 2007 and tests its mettle against last year's D-V runner-up with the section title likely on the line. Tempe Prep has fallen to two of the top teams in D-IV (Northwest Christian and Snowflake) and has had its way with D-V opponents in all its other games.

D-VI regular season wrap-up: The five section races are essentially over as D-VI enters its final week of regular-season play.  Pima, Bagdad, Salome, Superior and Mogollon have captured automatic berths. A couple teams are battling for the final spot or two (11-12). Battling for the spots are No. 11 Ajo, who faces No. 20 NFL Yet; No. 12 Williams with its finale at No. 10 Joseph City;  No. 13 Fort Thomas, who plays No. 3 Valley Union and No. 14 Chandler Prep, who takes on No. 19 Ray. D-VI begins its state tournament on Saturday Oct. 24 with the top four teams in the power rankings earning first-round byes.