High School

How the remaining Open, 3A and 2A teams fared in Arizona high school football state semifinals

Here’s a look at how the remaining Open, 3A and 2A Arizona high school football teams fared in semifinal playoff games played Saturday, Dec. 5.
JD Humburg|
How the remaining Open, 3A and 2A teams fared in Arizona high school football state semifinals
How the remaining Open, 3A and 2A teams fared in Arizona high school football state semifinals

Here’s a look at how the remaining Open, 3A and 2A Arizona high school football teams fared in semifinal playoff games played Saturday, Dec. 5.

Photo by Will Edmonds

PLAYOFF BRACKETS

Open bracket

6A bracket

5A bracket

4A bracket

3A bracket

2A bracket

1A bracket

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Open

No. 1 Chandler 35, No. 5 Liberty 34 (OT) | Game story

A week ago, Liberty (6-4) advanced in the Open tournament by scoring on a two-point conversion late to beat Centennial.

This week, faced with the same decision and a chance to knock off four-time defending state champion Chandler, Lions coach Colin Thomas again went for two after his team answered Eli Sanders’ 1-yard touchdown run in overtime with a Brock Mast touchdown pass to Grant Brunelle.

This time, though, the conversion pass failed, and the Wolves (9-0), ranked No. 3 in the SBLive Power 25, survived the upset bid to advance to their sixth final in the past seven seasons.

Here’s how Hamilton players reacted when they heard Chandler had escaped:

Read the complete Chandler/Liberty game story here.

No. 2 Hamilton 58, No. 6 Salpointe Catholic 14 | Game story

The Huskies (8-1) did their part to earn a rematch with their Arizona Avenue rivals by romping past the Lancers (7-1) in their semifinal.

Playing again without standout junior quarterback Nicco Marchiol, Hamilton again turned to sophomore Roch Cholowsky under center and its high-powered running game, with Rodney Clemente scoring touchdowns on his first two carries to help the hosts build an early 23-0 lead.

Salpointe Catholic got within 23-14 on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Treyson Bourguet to Elijah Barclay.

The Huskies then turned to Noah Schmidt, who ripped off two touchdown runs to re-establish control.

Read the complete Hamilton/Salpointe Catholic game story here.

3A(Coronado High School)

No. 1 Yuma Catholic 36, No. 4 Pusch Ridge 20

The Shamrocks (10-0) are one win from their first state championship since 2014 after pulling away to defeat Pusch Ridge Christian for the second time this season.

The Lions (8-2) closed to within 23-20 with 2:14 left in the third quarter on a 6-yard touchdown run by Evan Lovett.

Richard Stallworth and the Shamrocks answered quickly, as the sophomore hit Austin Rush on a 50-yard touchdown pass to build the lead back to 30-20 just 12 seconds later.

Stallworth threw for five touchdowns, including three to junior Devon Black — the last one with 1:11 remaining to seal the victory.

No. 2 Snowflake 28, No. 3 American Leadership Academy-Gilbert North 27 (OT)

The Lobos (9-1) advanced to their first state championship game since 2014 when their defense held on a potential game-winning two-point conversion run in overtime.

The score was tied 21-21 at the end of the fourth quarter after the Eagles (8-2) rallied from a 21-0 halftime deficit. They nearly won the game in regulation, missing a 38-yard field goal with eight seconds left. The miss came after Snowflake was granted a timeout just before the snap on a previous attempt, which was good.

The Lobos had the ball first in overtime and scored on Camden Brimhall’s second touchdown of the game.

ALA-Gilbert North answered with Spencer Nielson’s third touchdown to draw within 28-27. On the two-point conversion, though, he was stopped inches short of the goal line, denying the Eagles a spot in their first final in the program’s third season.

Snowflake last won a state title in 1993.

2A(Higley High School)

No. 1 Benson 34, No. 4 Arizona Lutheran 27

Jimmy Verblance’s final-second interception secured victory for the Bobcats (9-0), who reached the state final for the first time since 2015 and seek their first title.

The Coyotes (6-1) got one final chance after recovering a fumble at midfield with 28.2 seconds left, but after three misfires, Verblance intercepted a fourth-and-13 desperation pass.

Jackson Indahl hit Jack Schaumberg on a 7-yard pass with 42.8 seconds left to draw Arizona Lutheran within 34-27.

No. 3 Santa Cruz Valley 27, No. 7 St. Johns 20

Steve Calvin’s 47-yard touchdown run with 8:57 remaining snapped a 20-20 tie and lifted the Dust Devils (8-1) to their first championship game appearance since 2017.

The Redskins (6-2) led 14-6 at halftime and 20-12 midway through the third quarter after Cael Stewart hit Joseph Bushman on a 19-yard touchdown pass.

Calvin tied the score late in the third quarter with a 67-yard punt return for a touchdown.

The Dust Devils last won a state title in 1980.

Santa Cruz Valley senior Hunter Ogle ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns as he closes in on 2,000 yards in the shortened season (1,852 in nine games).

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Earlier:

Breaking down each of this week’s semifinal matchups

Looking back at a crazy quarterfinals Friday

6A offensive player of the year candidates by region

6A defensive player of the year candidates by region

Meet the new stars of Arizona high school football (offense)

Meet the new stars of Arizona high school football (defense)

A 53-man ‘NFL roster’ of Arizona high school players

Meet the state’s top players by position:

QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB | ST

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