Laveen Cesar Chavez puts its perfect record on the line for the final time of the regular season as the fourth-seeded Champions clash with second-seeded Marcos de Niza Friday night in a huge Division II matchup in Laveen. Both teams are in the playoffs but are still jockeying for positions. The top seed will host in each of the first two rounds, so positioning is crucial.

Chavez (9-0) has never finished a season undefeated. The Champions have cruised past their first nine opponents, outscoring the opposition 470-63. Those teams, however, have a combined record of 23-58, so this is the Champions' biggest test of the season. [[ Chavez' previous opponents: La Joya (0-9), McClintock (2-7), Canyon del Oro (3-6), South Mountain (0-9), Independence (1-8), Millennium (6-3), Camelback (3-6), Betty Fairfax (6-3), Sierra Linda (2-7). ]]

Arturo Macias looks to cap off his terrific senior season. He has thrown for 1,796 yards with 24 touchdowns and just two interceptions while also running for 190 yards and a team-high seven TDs on 38 carries. Macias has nailed 42 extra points to go with nine touchbacks on 26 kickoffs this year.

Marcos de Niza (8-1) has won four in-a-row since its lone loss of the season to Ironwood Ridge, which is 9-0 and ranked number-one in the "aia365.com Seedings." The Padres have outscored their opponents 394-94.

Junior quarterback Josh Eckley has passed for 1,838 yards and 19 scores this season without throwing an interception. He's also ran for 317 yards and five touchdowns. Eckley's main target has been Paul Elvira, who has a team-high 50 catches for 1,156 yards and 14 TDs.

Both teams are coming off huge wins. Chavez blanked Sierra Linda 69-0 last Friday, while Marcos shutout South Mountain 70-0. It should make for an offensive shootout with Marcos averaging 472 yards per game and Chavez putting up 433 yards a contest.

The Padres have won four straight over the Champions since losing the first ever meeting between the school's in 2005. Marcos crushed Chavez 34-7 in Tempe last year. Kickoff Friday is at 7pm.

Thomas Jenkins