Exciting Showdown Ahead: Teams Gear Up for Open Division High School Football Playoffs Semifinals!

The quarterfinals of Arizona’s Open Division have concluded, showcasing the top eight teams from the 5A and 6A classifications. This phase of the playoffs has set the stage for the semifinals in what has become a thrilling 35th season of Friday Night Fever.

In a series of intense matchups, excitement filled the air as teams vied for a chance to advance. Notable results included No. 8 Hamilton’s stunning upset of No. 1 Marana, winning 31-22. Meanwhile, No. 2 Basha defeated No. 7 Horizon decisively by a score of 36-14. The No. 3 ALA-Queen Creek emerged victorious against No. 6 Desert Mountain, edging out a 20-14 win, while No. 4 Liberty overwhelmed No. 5 Higley with a commanding 64-26 performance.

This marks the end of the 5A teams’ journey in the Open Division playoffs, as the remaining competitors come exclusively from the 6A classifications. Hamilton, Basha, Liberty, and ALA-Queen Creek are now in the line-up for the semifinals to be held next Saturday.

Looking ahead, the semifinal matchups will feature Hamilton against Liberty and Basha squaring off against ALA-Queen Creek. Both Hamilton and Liberty enter with records of 10-1. Liberty holds the historical advantage over Hamilton, having previously defeated them twice this season.

Basha, also sitting at 10-1, has proven formidable against ALA-Queen Creek, winning both of their past encounters. ALA-Queen Creek, while eager for victory, aims to make history by reaching their first Open Division State Championship Game.

The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, November 30, at 6 p.m., hosted at Mountain Pointe High School for the Hamilton and Liberty game, while ALA-Queen Creek will take on Basha at Dobson High School.

Winners will advance to the sixth Open Division State Championship Game, set for December 7 at Arizona State University’s Mountain America Stadium. Liberty seeks to repeat its championship success, following their victory last year, while Hamilton aims for a return to their glory days in high school football.

Stay tuned for the latest updates on the playoffs.