Breaking down 6A Arizona high school football quarterfinals: Collision course

Richard Obert, Arizona Republic

November 23, 2022 at 12:33 PM·3 min read

There was one upset last week. There were some scares. But for the most part, teams did what they had to do to advance. Will another favored team face exiting? Let's break down the Arizona high school football 6A quarterfinals that will be held Friday at 7 p.m., at the higest seed sites.

Oct 21, 2022; Gilbert, Arizona, USA; After colliding with the Highland Hawks defensive line, Saguaro Sabercats sophomore wide receiver Mason Whitaker (16) fumbles the ball at Highland High football stadium in Gilbert on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. Mandatory Credit: Alex Gould/The Republic

6A quarterfinals

No. 8 Phoenix Mountain Pointe (8-3) at No. 1 Queen Creek Casteel (8-3)

If Mountain Pointe can find a defense, the Pride has a a chance to pull the upset with its vaunted run game led by region Player of the Year Jay'len Rushing. Christian Clark and Randle Parker are capable of running backs. And Chris Arvizo is a 2,100-yard passer with 21 TDs. So this is an offense that can put up big numbers. But the Pride hasn't shown it can stop people. This game will be mandatory defense, because Casteel quarterback Landon Jury and his playmakers can move up and down the field.

Prediction: Casteel 48, Mountain Pointe 34

Oct 28, 2022; Chandler, Ariz, U.S., Casteel Colts Landon Jury (12) looks to pass the ball before Hamilton Huskies Alex McLaughlin (7) can tackle him during a high school football game at Hamilton High School.

No. 5 Queen Creek (7-4) at No. 4 Phoenix Pinnacle (7-4)

Everybody is still trying to figure out what happened to Queen Creek in that 39-13 loss to Pinnacle on Sept. 16. Sophomore QB Wyatt Horton and senior wide receiver Duce Robinson were simply too much for the Bulldogs to handle. They're going to have to put a heavy emphasis in trying to stop Pinnacle's passing attack or this game could get away. Expect a much better effort from Queen Creek, which has not allowed more than 24 points in a game and has been very good in the last month.

Prediction: Queen Creek 24, Pinnacle 21

No. 14 Mesa (8-3) at No. 6 Mesa Red Mountain (7-4)

Mesa is playing with house money after taking down No. 3 Tempe Corona del Sol 24-21 last week. QB Manny Pino ran for more than 100 yards and two TDs and had more than 100 passing yards. But Red Mountain simply has too many game changers, starting with running back Lenox Lawson and wide receiver and USC-bound Ja'Kobi Lane. If QB Carter Crispin can continue making plays on an injured knee, then the Lions have a great shot at getting into the semifinals.

Prediction: Red Mountain 34, Mesa 20

November 18, 2022; Scottsdale, Ariz; USA; Red Mountain wide receiver Ja'kobi Lane (89) comes off the line of scrimmage during a 6A playoff game at Red Mountain High School.

No. 7 Tucson Salpointe Catholic (7-4) at No. 2 Gilbert Highland (8-3)

Highland should ease into the semifinals, but the Lancers are well-coached, disciplined and line up some big guys up front. They also have a freak athlete at edge defensive end in junior Elijah Rushing (11.5 sacks), who has every major college in the world after him. Salpointe has had injuries in the offensive line. It has yet to have the same starting five on the line in a game. Highland's defense, led by free safety Joseph Allen, is off-the-rails good, and the offense is catching up, led by running back Carsoin Mullenaux, who has 747 rushing yards to lead five players with at least 267 rushing yards.

Prediction: Highland 28, Salpointe 14

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert atrichard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter@azc_obert

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Breaking down 6A Arizona HS football quarterfinals: Parity paradise