It’s only October, but Friday night lights will have some playoff electricity this evening, with four of the top nine teams in the Open Division rankings going against one another.

ALA Queen Creek at Highland

In terms of the Open Division playoff pulse, Highland (6-2, 2-0) has the most on the line tonight as it hosts ALA Queen Creek (6-1, 1-0). The two-time 6A defending state champ Hawks have reached three straight 6A title games, and would love nothing more than a shot in the Open Division playoffs.

ALA Queen Creek meanwhile, is brand new to 6A but not to the Open Division postseason, for which the Patriots qualified the last two seasons, both as a 4A and 5A school. 

Something’s gotta give.

A third loss may all but shut that door for Highland, which currently sits at No. 9 in the Open rankings.

“A must win game,” is how Highland linebacker Kash Cullimore sees tonight’s matchup. 

“It will definitely be a playoff feeling tonight. It’s been a goal of ours all year to make the Open. If we win and take care of our business we feel like we’re in.”

Nothing is certain until all the numbers are crunched a few weeks from now.   

One thing that is certain thus far is Highland’s defense, which has displayed its trademark brand of quick, physical football in every game. Kash Cullimore leads the way with 66 total tackles. The Hawks are the only team to hold Chandler and Red Mountain under 100 rushing yards. They also held Basha’s all-everything quarterback Demond Williams Jr. to 141 passing yards, well under his average for 2023.

ALA Queen Creek will need its methodical passing game to be on point tonight. Senior Enoch Watson has guided the Patriots this season with over 250 yards per game, with 17 touchdowns and only three interceptions. The Patriots also have a knack for pulling out close games against good opponents.

ALA Queen Creek receiver Jayden Williams leads the team with 107 yards per game. Photo by Cumorah McOmber

“Highland is a well rounded team and it’s going to be a challenge,” ALA Queen Creek coach Ty Detmer said.

“We realize what this game means to (Highland) as well, so we know they’re going to be ready to play. It should be a great atmosphere.” 

The biggest key tonight may very well be the play of Highland quarterback Kalen Fisher. If the 6-3 junior can protect the ball and put a full game together, the Patriots will be facing a tall task.   

Chandler at Basha

The 6A Premiere Region is not for the faint of heart. 14 of the last 20 state championship trophies from 6A and Open division belong in the region. In this week’s survival of the fittest, Chandler (6-1, 1-0) and Basha (6-1, 1-0) will throw down the gauntlet.

Both teams are well seasoned in big time matchups. Basha pulled off two wins against the Wolves last year, including a 13-0 Open semifinal victory. 

The defending Open Champion Bears have probably gotten the best of every team this season. Two weeks ago Basha survived a double overtime thriller with Hamilton, prevailing 45-44. Chandler endured its own roller coaster two weeks ago, falling to top ranked Centennial 29-28 after trailing 26-0 late in the fourth quarter.

“They’ve been there and done that, and so have we,” Chandler coach Rick Garretson said.

“Nearly every game is a big game for us, especially in this region, and tonight is another big game.” 

When all is said and done after week 10, both teams should still be punching tickets to the Open Division playoff–even with two losses. Nevertheless, the stakes are high.

“We have to look at it like a playoff game,” Chandler quarterback Blake Effron said.

“There’s a little bit of a revenge factor because they took us out last year. But there’s a lot of great teams bunched up this season, especially in our region, so no one wants to pick up the second loss. We’ll be ready to go."

Legend-airy Milestones

Demond Williams Jr. will be making his 41st career start for Basha tonight. And what a spectacle it's been to watch. The University of Arizona bound Williams is closing in on 9,000 career passing yards (currently at 8,623). With rushing yardage, he's piled up 10,892 total yards.

The Bears have gone 34-6 in that time.