AIA Football Playoffs Update

The last few weeks have brought us some great playoff games. I first covered Desert Edge vs. Seton Catholic. Desert Edge played a great first half, commanding a large lead. Seton Catholic came back hard in the second half , unfortunately falling short at the end of the game.
We then moved to the east valley to watch Pinetop vs Show Low in 2nd round 3a playoffs. This game proved to be a show of offensive skills from both teams. Touchdown after touchdown exhibiting great athletic skills from some very talented players. Both teams showed up to win with Show Low coming out on top 68-48. Number 1 Show Low will Meet #2 Blue Ridge in the 3A State Championship this Saturday at  the NAU Walk up Skydome in Flagstaff  Nov. 27th at 5:00 pm following the 2a Championship game.
The second round of 4A2 was probably the game of the year so far when #8 seeded Desert Edge took down #1 Cactus in what proved to be Desert Edge's finest game ever as they came back six minutes in the third quarter scoring twice, a offensive four yard run and a fumble recovery from the defense that was taken in for six points to take the lead. From that point on the defense and offense played text book football completely shutting down the Cobras in the second half. Desert Edge's offense ate up the clock with a couple of great drives finally giving up the ball to Cactus with just over three minutes remaining. Cactus was unable to produce any results succumbing to Desert Edge's defense.

Off to North Canyon High School. We caught  2A'sYuma Catholics Shamrocks against Thatchers Eagles. A very evenly matched football game. Great plays and Talent from both teams. When the dust cleared Yumas Shamrocks walked away 22-20 with the win moving on to the finals.
The second  2A game found Northwest Christian matched-up against Thatcher. The games intensity was on fire the first quarter,then Northwest Christian fired up their offense and ran away with this game 42-13. The Crusaders running game was very impressive to say the least.
We then find Northwest Christian vs Yuma Catholic grinding it out at NAU's Walk Up Skydome this weekend November 27th @ 1:00.

On a personal note, don't let 2A small town football fool you. I have seen some of footballs best athletes at this level from all four teams mentioned above. The 2A State Championship at NAU in Flagstaff this weekend will prove to be one of the best match ups this year.

5A1 playoffs semi match ups
-Hamilton vs. Mountain Pointe
-Desert Vista vs. Desert Ridge


5A2 playoffs semi match ups
-Chaparral vs. Westview
-Centennial vs. Ironwood ridge


4A1 playoff semi match ups
-Canyon del Oro vs. Cienega
-Saguaro vs Queen Creek


4A2 playoffs semi matchups
-Notre Dame vs Williams Field
-Desert Edge vs. Thunderbird


See you next week...and have a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your family!

Arizona Special Olympics fund raiser sending people "Over the Edge"

As Frank Gilleski, a Special Olympics athlete repelled off an 18 story building at 101 E Lexington in downtown Phoenix on Wed Nov. 10th, he stopped for a moment and raised his hands in victory as he and many others raised thousands of dollars in " Over the Edge", a fund raising event for Arizona Special Olympics. Each participant repelled off the high rise almost 200 feet, all of them with a big smile when returning to earth.

Arizona Special Olympics have over 10,600 athletes 6 of which are being sent to Athens Greece to compete in the world competition next year. Arizona Special Olympics have just completed their fall games in Surprise last month and the winter games are around the corner.
For more information about Arizona Special Olympics go to specialolympicsarizona.org .

AIA Football Playoffs starts today

First round of AIA football playoffs start today. I'll be covering several games each week and will report back the results of these games and more importantly will upload some great images from these intense match-ups to phxsports.net