Region games dominate the rest of the regular season as September bids adieu. Many schools will play a fifth game in the confines of this month -- half of their schedule. Most won't have to travel far for their remaining contests, at least those residing in the Valley or Tucson. Region games are the back door -- possibly the only door--  available to a postseason ticket for teams with sub-.500 records to date.

The week's slate:

WEEK 7 EAST VALLEY GAMES

Thursday September 29: 4A -- Saguaro (6-0) at Marcos de Niza (4-1). Friday Sepember 30: 6A --Hamilton (5-1) at Brophy Prep (6-0), Gilbert (1-4) at Desert Ridge (4-1), Red Mountain (3-2) at Dobson (4-1), Westwood (2-3) at Mesa (2-4), Desert Vista (2-3) at Mountain Pointe (5-0), Skyline (4-1) at Mountain View (3-2). 5A -- Apollo (1-4) at McClintock (3-2), Queen Creek (5-1) at Mesquite (5-1), Williams Field (6-0) at Poston Butte (3-2), Campo Verde (5-1) at Vista Grande (2-3). 4A -- Combs (0-5) at Dysart (4-1), Tempe (2-3) at Higley (4-1), Apache Junction (1-4) at Washington (0-5). 3A -- Florence (6-0) at American Leadership (5-1), Valley Christian (0-5) at ASU Prep (1-3), San Tan Foothills (4-1) at Ben Franklin (5-1), Casteel (5-0) at Yuma Catholic (3-2). 2A -- Tempe Prep (4-1) at Gilbert Christian (3-2), Chandler Prep (5-1) at Veritas (2-3). Byes this week: Perry (6-0), Corona del Sol (3-3), Highland (2-4), Seton Catholic (4-2).

THIS AND THAT: The 6A Premier Region offers two region games a week through the end of the season. The best one is Hamilton-Brophy Prep. Hamilton has yet to piece together a top-to-bottom, solid game against a 6A contender. The Huskies get another chance facing the unbeaten Broncos. Both schools had turnover issues last week yet still managed to win tight games against Skyline and Mesa Mountain View. Brophy has yet to surrender more than 17 points in a game; Hamilton has scored at least 20 in every one of its games. Hamilton owns the all-time series (9-2) and has won the last eight meetings. The Broncos last victory was in 2007 in the big-school semifinals..... The 6A East Valley Region has a trio of games led by Skyline-Mountain View and Red Mountain-Dobson. Mesa and Westwood collide in the longest-running Mesa district rivalry dating back nearly 50 years. Skyline had its 19-game, regular-season win streak snapped by Hamilton last week. Skyline has been the Mesa district's best program the last couple years while Mountain View is attempting to restore the glory. Last week was a step in the right direction playing unbeaten Brophy tough to the finish despite a three-point loss....Red Mountain has momentum from two blowout wins heading to Dobson to face the upstart Mustangs. Dobson fell just short of topping Desert Vista for a fifth straight win in a 31-27 loss. Dobson's response to the adversity of its first loss is critical....The rough and tumble 5A San Tan Region's best offering of the week is Queen Creek-Mesquite. Queen Creek's lone loss is to 6A Hamilton and Mesquite's defeat was to 5A top-ranked Desert Edge. Queen Creek RB Jace Koester is averaging 140 yards and 20 carries per game plus has a receiving threat in WR Armon McGuire. Sophomore QB Devin Larsen has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes with 11 TDs and 3 picks. Mesquite is best running the ball led by bell cow back Joseph Eubanks, who is averaging just under 98 yards rushing per game. Eubanks turned in his best game of the year last week (158 yards, 3 TDs). This is the first-ever meeting in football between them. Mesquite opened 20 years ago....3A offers a top Central Region matchup with Florence-American Leadership. Florence was definitely under the radar in preseason to the likes of Snowflake, Show Low, Pusch Ridge, Northwest Christian, American Leadership and Yuma Catholic to name a few. Junior quarterback Jared Wood has been terrific passing for almost 1,500 yards and 22 TDs so far. The Gophers have a stable of capable running backs and receivers who have distributed the rushing and receiving load back of Wood. American Leadership has faced a tougher schedule. with its opponents a collective 20-12 with Florence's 5-27. The winner of this one is a lock to win the region title....In a 3A Metro Region battle, Casteel is poised to run the table in its inaugural varsity regular season. The only school with a shot to derail that effort is Yuma Catholic, a small-school power the last decade.