Division VI (eight-man) football -- formerly 1A --has been dominated in its title games of late by northern Arizona schools with Joseph City and Mogollon duking it out the last two years.

There is a hint of change in the air with Pima registering a blow for southern Arizona this past weekend with its 36-32 victory over Mogollon in Heber.

Pima improved to 7-0 and closes the regular season this Friday (Oct. 14) with southern rival St. David, also 7-0. The only southern Arizona school to win an eight-man title the last five years is Valley Union in 2007. The eight-man title game in the state has featured an all-northern Arizona final three of the last five years.

Pima dropping from D-V to D-VI has bolstered southern Arizona's chances of getting a spot in the championship game. St. David also figures to have a say. Atlhough not playing anyone from the north during the regular season, St. David appears able to take on teams from the north in the postseason and advance. Unless it is Joseph City.

Joseph City is 6-0 and has not won any game its played so far by fewer than 46 points. That was a 72-26 win over Mogollon. Joseph City looks to be a prohibitive favorite for a third straight title. Vastly improved Joy Christian (7-0) isn't looking shabby either so the top four unbeatens seem solid.

Pima is No. 1 and St. David No. 2 in the power-rankings this week. The Pima-St. David winner will end up the No. 1 seed. Joy Christian is curently No. 3 and Joseph City No. 4. Neither of them should lose this week so whoever wins the Pima-St. David game would meet Joseph City in the semfiinals barring prior round upsets. The top four seeds earn a first-round bye in the playoffs to staying in those slots is a nice edge.