5A High School Football Playoffs: Quarterfinal Showdown Awaits Top Teams

The high school football playoffs kicked off on Friday in Arizona, encompassing the state’s major conferences—4A, 5A, and 6A. The excitement continues as fans gear up for the quarterfinals, especially in the 5A division where matchups are increasingly competitive.

In the first round of the 5A playoffs, several strong teams showcased their skill. ALA-Gilbert North, the top seed, secured a commanding victory against No. 16 Goldwater, finishing 49-21. Other notable outcomes included Tucson edging out Cienega, 14-7, and Buena’s impressive win against Casa Grande, 65-28. Meanwhile, Raymond S. Kellis caused an upset by defeating No. 5 Ironwood Ridge decisively, 49-7.

The quarterfinals are set to feature intriguing matchups. ALA-Gilbert North will face Campo Verde, while Tucson squares off against Desert Edge. Buena will challenge Verrado, and Cactus competes against the underdog, Raymond S. Kellis. All games are scheduled for Friday, November 22, and will take place at the respective home fields of the higher-seeded teams.

This year’s playoffs mark a significant change, as the previous champion, Higley, has moved up to the Open Division, ensuring a new 5A state champion will be crowned. The championship game is planned for 8 p.m. on December 6 at Arizona State University’s Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, promising an electrifying finale to the season.