Excitement Builds as Open Division Playoffs Kick Off: Meet the Teams and Quarterfinal Matchups!

PHOENIX — The Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) has officially unveiled the bracket for the 2024 Open Division high school football playoffs. The announcement comes as the regular season concludes, setting the stage for the state’s premier high school football championship.

As of now, the playoffs for the 3A, 2A, and 1A divisions have commenced. The AIA also detailed the playoff formats across various divisions. Notably, the Open Division features an eight-team bracket, showcasing the top contenders from the 5A and 6A classifications.

This year’s top seeds include the Marana Tigers, who finished undefeated at 10-0, and three other teams with impressive records. Here’s a list of the playoff seeds:

2024 Open Division High School Football Playoff Seeds:
1. Marana Tigers (10-0, 5-0) – 5A Southern region champions
2. Basha Bears (9-1, 4-0) – 6A Premier Region champions
3. ALA-Queen Creek Patriots (9-1, 3-1) – 6A East Valley region champions
4. Liberty Lions (9-1, 4-0) – 6A Northeast Valley region champions
5. Higley Knights (7-3, 3-2) – 2nd place in 5A Northeast Valley region
6. Desert Mountain Wolves (8-2, 3-2) – 3rd place in 5A Northeast Valley region
7. Horizon Huskies (8-2, 4-1) – 5A Northeast Valley region champions
8. Hamilton Huskies (9-1, 3-1) – 2nd place in 6A Premier Region

The quarterfinal matchups promise intense competition. Marana will host Hamilton, marking Marana’s inaugural appearance in the Open Division playoffs. Hamilton, on the other hand, is familiar with the format, having participated in all previous rounds. This match will be their first meeting.

Basha faces Horizon in another exciting matchup. Basha seeks to maintain its impressive record, having won the Open Division in 2022. Conversely, Horizon looks to rectify past playoff disappointments.

ALA-QC aims to advance past the first round when they host Desert Mountain, while Liberty faces Higley. Liberty is the defending champion, and this matchup is notable as Higley enters the Open Division for the first time.

The complete Open Division bracket reveals the high stakes ahead. Following a week off, the quarterfinals are slated for November 22, with venues at the higher-seeded teams’ home fields. The championship game is scheduled for December 7 at 6 p.m. at ASU’s Mountain America Stadium in Tempe.