It's almost Thanksgiving and besides the traditional meal that's nearly upon us so it is Chandler High is situated in the 6A (big-school) semifinals. It's the sixth year in a row for the Wolves in that slot as they eye a third consecutive state title.

In the previous five years in the semis, Chandler has to Hamilton (2013), eliminated Mountain Pointe on the way to the crown (2014), fallen to Desert Ridge (2015), knocked out Perry prior to a title (2016) and rocked Red Mountain (2017) prior to the third crown in the last four years. 

A sixth different semi foe is up next for Chandler in #5 Highland. The Hawks have bettered last year's quarterfinal finish and record in 2017 of 8-4) The Hawks won the Central Region and are a win away from equaling the school record of wins in a season. The other semifinal is a rematch from Week 1 with last year's runner-up #6 Perry taking on #2 Pinnacle. This is the furthest Pinnacle has advanced in postseason in its football history.

The games are Friday Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. Highland and Chandler play at Basha High School. Perry and Pinnacle meet at North Canyon HS. 

A capsule look at these final-four combatants:  

Chandler (11-1) has taken care of business 11 weeks in a row since it dropped an out-of-state battle with California power Centennial (Corona CA), 35-13. The Wolves have taken to the ground more often with one back this year. Senioir DeCarlos Brooks has carved out  almost 2,000 yards rushing and receiving with 28 touchdowns. Quarterback and third-year starter Jacob Conover is as reliable as ever passing for 2,820 yards, 35 TDs and eight picks. The Wolves have given up far fewer points than last year (almost half) and only allow 16 points per game. The defense is anchored by leading linebackes Tate Romney, Zach Bowers, Javan Ah Quin and defensive end Max Sandlin. The secondary has 21 interceptions. 

#5 Highland (11-1) hit a higher note than last season with what it's accomplished to date. The Hawks won the Central Region and are a win away from equaling the school record of wins in a season set by the 1994 squad that advanced to the semis. Highland has proven solid in all phases with run game by committee led by Kohner Cullimore, Daniel Wood, Dayton Huffman and Max Davis. The quartet amassed a few yards over 2,000 in the regular season led by Cullimore's 833 yards and 13 TDs. Senior quarterback Kaleb Herbert has thrown for 2,000 yards, 20 TDs with a paltry three interceptions. The defense has its stalwarts in linebackers Griffin Nielsen and Wood, safeties Cada Camac and Cullimore and lineman Cooper Brown. The Hawks have locked in the last five games allowing 10 points a game. The kicking game is as good as it gets with place kicker-punter Austin McNamara launching touchbacks at a 75 percent rate with a 41-yard punting average.

#6 Perry (10-2) seeks a second consecutive visit to the finals and to do that might possibly have to avenge both its regular-season losses. Junior quarterback Chubba Purdy has taken up where brother, Brock, left off igniting a high-powered offense. Chubba Purdy has thrown for 3,069 yards and 34 TDs and is closing in on 1,000 yards rushing (949) and additional 20 scores. Seniors Jalen Young (1,082 rushing yards) and Jaden Burns (661 yards) are a nice combo. Heading down the home stretch to a brilliant three-year career is senior Colby Dickie with 59 catches for 915 yards and 15 TDs. Dickie has 187 career receptions and if he tops 1,000 yards this week will have three 1,000-yard seasons. Defense has been a trouble spot, especially when high-scoring opponents  are faced. The Pumas are giving up 32 per game; in losses to Pinnacle and Chandler this year they allowed 59 and 45, respectively.   

#2 Pinnacle (11-1), like Chandler, has no losses to an Arizona school this season. The Pioneers bowed to JSerra Catholic (CA), 42-35, in early September. It's been an interesting journey for Pinnacle in its best season ever. Celebrated quarterback Spencer Rattler was spot on in the games he played. He missed two to injury and and a violation of Paradise Valley District policy ended his season resulting in three more missed contests and counting. Luckily coach Dana Zupke seems to have capable backups. Junior JD Johnson has started five games ande played a bunch in a sixth. It's resulted in 1,759 yards passing and 16 TDs; Rattler produced 1,863 yards ande 23 TDs in his stints. Pinnacle is averaging 475 yards of offense a game (5,705) for the season. The ground game has just less than 2,000 yards led by junior Kenji Roland and senior Kaleb Covington. Junior Marcus Libman has emerged as the top receiver with 64 receptions for 1,191 yards and 14 TDs. Covington is next with 42 catches for 809 yards and 8 TDs. Linebackers Amelec Juntunen and Alonzo Maya are the leading tacklers for Pinnacle and cornerback Kyle Bryant has been a ballhawk with 85 tackles and six interceptions.