PRESCOTT — A historically top-heavy fall boys soccer season has quickly turned into one of the more competitive championship brackets in recent memory.

Chino Valley (11-2-1) nabbed the No. 1 seed, but trailed No. 2 Sedona for that distinction for much of the year until defeating them 1-0 on Oct. 12.

Snowflake (10-1-1) won its region and is a No. 3 seed, while No. 9-ranked Desert Christian (8-3-1) and No. 10-ranked Northland Prep. (8-3-1) would have been on the outside looking in, but claimed their region crowns to earn an automatic bid.

Madison Highland (10-2-1) sits at No. 4, Payson (6-4-3) is No. 5 and Blue Ridge (8-4) at No. 6 rounds out the eight-team field, which opens play Tuesday, Oct. 24, in the first round of the 2023 AIA Boys Soccer State Championships.

That means Willcox, which lost only two matches this season, and Show Low, will sit on the couch this postseason.

“It is really competitive this year. There’s a lot of [good] teams, this was a hard season. We had a lot of competitive games this year,” said Chino Valley head coach Todd Carey, who led the Cougars to a state title in 2022, a 3-1 victory over Sedona.

“Honestly, there are eight or nine teams that competitively can play and win a state championship this year,” Carey added.

The Cougars, which have made the state title match in each of the past five seasons dating back to 2018, are the two-time defending champs looking to make it a three-peat.

“Right now, we’re playing pretty good. We have a lot to work, especially offensively. We must create that spark and get the ball in the middle a little more often,” Carey said. “Defensively, I’m pleased with how we are playing. We’re stopping teams from scoring goals. We’re building momentum at the right time of year.”

The last time Chino Valley earned three consecutive titles was actually a “five peat,” claiming the championship every year from 2012 to 2016, making it seven trophies in the case for the Cougars in the past decade.

“This year, there’s a lot more good teams,” Cougar goalkeeper Ian Benson said. “Snowflake is up there. We’re going to have to work hard, keep our heads up and build each other up.”

Jackson Bishop, one of the top strikers for Chino Valley, said his club doesn’t “underestimate” anyone.

“We’re always mentally prepared that anyone can come out and beat us. Everyone is looking to beat us. Any time someone plays Chino Valley, they come out hard,” Bishop said.

Chino Valley opens play with No. 8 Northland Prep.

“We know our ability and know what we can do, so we’ll go in with confidence,” Bishop said.

SEDONA TO CHALLENGE

Despite their 1-0 loss to Chino Valley a few weeks back, the No. 2-seeded Scorpions believe the playoffs are a whole new level of competition.

“As the saying goes, anyone can beat anyone,” Sedona head coach Sam Blom said via email to AzPreps365.com this week. “That is why we play the game. Teams have the opportunity to beat the best teams if those teams are not playing their very best. We learned that fact when Chino beat us.”

Blom said the Scorpions are “hungry” after coming in second a season ago.

“We’ve been inconsistent the last few matches, and will give 150% on Tuesday, regardless of who we play,” Blom said.

Sedona opens with No. 7 Desert Christian.

SNOWFLAKE IS NO SLOUCH

Having lost only one match all season, a 2-1 heartbreaker against Sedona way back on Aug. 23, the Lobos (10-1-1) have since won eight out of their past nine, with a 1-1 tie against Show Low on Oct. 5 being in the mix.

Head coach Kegan Kay said Snowflake is “hungry for a championship.”

“The main reason we are going in ranked high is the work and dedication of the boys we have,” Kay said, adding later, “We have proved through the season that we can beat anyone. As long as we can stay healthy and focused and come into games with intensity from the start, we have a high chance of winning it all.”

BRACKET

For a full schedule of Tuesday’s opening round of matches and the rest of the state tournament, click here:

https://azpreps365.com/brackets/soccer-fall-boys/2a/1282-2023-aia-boys-fall-soccer-fall-state-championship

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.