With defending champ Snowflake, state runner-up Yuma Catholic and semifinalist ALA-Gilbert North all making the move to the 4A conference in the offseason, the 3A state football bracket has never been more open for a new champion to be crowned.

UNDEFEATED EAGLES

The No. 1-seeded Thatcher Eagles came into the fall season knowing they had a plethora of returning seniors from the club that earned a No. 10 seed a season ago, but lost to eventual state champ, No. 2-seeded Snowflake, in the quarterfinals, 44-13.

“Questions were, had we emotionally grown to not have the ups and downs from last season and would a couple of underclassmen step up and fill holes we had,” Thatcher head coach Daniel Jones said.

His club certainly answered those questions early, defeating Eastmark (No. 2 seed) in an early season victory, 31-30, sparking a perfect 10-0 season, a 3A South region championship and a No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs.

“The senior leadership has been outstanding. Once we got past Eastmark with that exciting win, I knew we were going to be hard to stop,” Jones said. “It’s always the goal to be 10-0. Now it’s the goal to be 14-0.”

No individual player stands out offensively for the Eagles, with quarterback Brandon Napier completing 19 of 41 passes for 313 yards and five touchdowns all season.

He has 61 carries for 640 yards and 10 touchdowns, tied for the team lead with running back Ayden Bingham, who has 62 carries for 626 yard and 10 scores.

Both are seniors this year for Thatcher.

“We don’t have the individual eye-popping stats the other teams do because this really is a team effort,” Jones said. “I couldn’t start talking about one without clearly minimizing the amazing efforts of the others.”

First Round Matchup: Friday, Nov. 4, No. 16 Benson (5-5, 1-4 3A South) at No. 1 Thatcher (10-0, 5-0 3A South), 7 p.m.

SHOW LOW UNDERRATED?

Finishing 9-1 overall, a 3A Northeast region title under their belt, not to mention a perfect 5-0 record against the state playoff field this fall, it’s no wonder the Cougars might be feeling a bit underrated with a No. 4 seed heading to state. Their only blemish this season? A 20-14 loss to Snowflake, a two-time defending 3A state champion that now plays at the 4A level.

Nevertheless, No. 13 Blue Ridge awaits as their first-round opponent and there’s no time for sulking.

Head coach Carlo Hernandez said the kids really “bought” into the program this year.

“They worked hard all offseason and football season to strive to be the best student athlete they can be,” Hernandez said. “The biggest attribute to any of this happening is our senior leadership.”

One of those seniors is Ray “Chicken” Pedraza, who led the Cougars in carries this year with 85, rushing for 491 yards and nine touchdowns.

Ryan Kishbaugh, a senior slot receiver, leads the team in catches with 15. He has 339 yards receiving and six touchdowns. He also has 56 carries for 653 yards and five touchdowns rushing.

“We all know it starts upfront on both sides of the ball. It’s really unfair to single out a couple of players when all we do is preach team concept,” Hernandez said. “[However, Brewer and Kishbaugh] are difference makers and they lead by example.”

First Round Matchup: Friday, Nov. 4, No. 13 Blue Ridge (5-5, 4-3 3A Northeast) at No. 4 Show Low (9-1, 7-0 3A Northeast), 7 p.m.

TROJANS A DARK HORSE?

Despite an early 42-28 loss to Show Low to open the season, Valley Christian (8-2, 5-0 3A Metro East) rebounded quickly to win eight of their last nine games to claim a 3A Metro title and No. 8 seed in the 3A state playoffs.

But could the Trojans be considered a dark horse in 2022? Afterall, Valley Christian is the only team left in 3A to have reached the state semifinals a year ago.

Snowflake, Yuma Catholic and ALA-Gilbert North all left for the 4A in the offseason.

So what will Valley Christian have to do to get past former 4A Grand Canyon region cellar dweller Mohave? Coach Jake Peterson feels his club is prepared, and familiar with the Thunderbirds after a 49-26 win over them a season ago.

“They have a handful of dynamic players on offense that we have to be prepared for and they are very physical up front,” Peterson said. “We knew this year they would be much improved from last year and a team to look out for.”

Senior quarterback Hunter Heeringa led the Trojans this year under center, completing 137 of 220 passes for 1,836 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Eithan Heinrich, Herringa’s top target, caught 40 balls for 511 yards and 13 touchdowns this year through the air.

On the ground, Ethan Tovar led Valley Christian with 153 carries for 900 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.

“Hunter and Ethan have been so impactful with their leadership and their playmaking ability,” Peterson said.

On defense, Peterson pointed toward Christian Bell, a dynamic pass rusher and run stopper who had three interceptions this season. He also had 25 tackles and one sack.

“We have outstanding senior leadership that has been working diligently this year in the way they deal with adversity,” Peterson said. “The work they have put in the offseason in the weight room and commitment to excellence in everything they do has poured onto the field.”

First Round Matchup: Friday, Nov. 4, No. 9 Mohave (6-3, 6-0 3A West) at No. 8 Valley Christian (8-2, 5-0 3A Metro East), 7 p.m.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on Twitter @AzPreps365Brian. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.