No. 8 Northwest Christian at No. 1 Yuma Catholic

Northwest Christian (9-2) was undefeated at 8-0 before back-to-back losses dropped them to an eighth seed. Still, the Crusaders held on for a home game and defeated Flowing Wells 52-28 in the first round.

Led by David Inness since 2010, the Crusaders won it all twice in that time frame and have won at least nine games a year since 2008. Senior quarterback Drew Inness has thrown 2,231 yards and 35 touchdowns while Sr. RB Travis Pollay has rushed for 739 more. Sr. Rey Kindred has over 600 yards receiving.

Yuma Catholic (11-0) has not lost since Nov. 1, 2013 when none other than NW Christian defeated the Shamrocks. Yuma Catholic has won 30 games in a row since including two state championships. NW Christian won a state title in 2012, preventing the Shamrocks from winning four in a row.

Rhett Stallworth coaches a high-powered offense with Stetson Stallworth throwing for 3,343 yards and 43 TDs, Jr. Jaylen Barnes rushing for 671 with 15 TDs and Sr. Brandon Hunter collecting 1,153 receiving yards. Barnes also has 841 yards receiving.

 

No. 5 Snowflake at No. 4 Estrella Foothills

Snowflake (10-1) lost to River Valley in the state championship game last year. It was also Ron Tenney's last game with the Lobos. Kay Solomon is in his first year and he has produced the program's fourth 10-win season in five years.

Sr. QB Tyler Claridge has thrown for 1,477 yards and 20 TDs with Jr. JT Tate collecting 658 yards receiving. Jr. RB Zach Solomon has over 800 yards rushing.

Estrella Foothills (10-1) played top-seeded Yuma Catholic to a close 27-21 loss in October. The loss is the only blemish on Lamar Early's record this year.

The Wolves only average 67 yards through the air but have gained almost 300 yards rushing per game. Sr. Joe Logan has rushed for 2,487 yards with 34 TDs

 

No. 6 River Valley at No. 3 Pusch Ridge

River Valley (10-1) is the defending state champion under co-head coaches Paul Duchaineau and Mark Ruckle. The Dust Devils have won at least 10 games three years in a row.

Jr. QB Ryan Economou has over 1,500 yards passing with 19 TDs while three rushers have gained over 500 yards each. Sr. Andres Galvez has 822, Jr. Bryson Fohs has 655 and Jr. Devin Anderson has 555.

Pusch Ridge (10-1) made the jump up to D-IV and won a section championship right away. The Lions lost to D-V power Benson in their first game and have not lost since under Troy Cropp.

Sr. QB Cody Cropp has 903 yards passing with Sr. Ben Walker collecting 387 of those yards. Sr. RB James Raica has rushed for over 1,000 yards and the top three backs have a combined 35 TDs.

 

No. 7 Lake Havasu at No. 2 Show Low

Lake Havasu (10-1) is having their best year since 2010 when the Knights made it to the quarterfinal round as a big school in 5A-II.  Karl Thompson has been coaching since 2008.

Jr. QB Jack Warner has 1,414 yards passing and Sr. Jacob Kalogonis has 1,192 yards rushing with 21 TDs.  Kalogonis also leads the team in receiving with 368 yards.

Show Low (11-0) has won two state titles under Randy Ricedorff but neither of those teams went into the playoffs undefeated. The Cougars defeated Combs 29-21 in the first round and that was the closest game of the year for the program.

Jr. QB Rhett Ricedorff has 2,673 passing yards with 26 TDs. His main target, Sr. Quentin Clark, has 1,105 yards receiving with 13 TDs. Sr. RB Willie Wyatt has 1,144 yards rushing with 10 TDs.