Division IV and Division V football teams sat on Thursday as their D-I, D-II and D-III counterparts matched up in quarterfinal play. It's D-IV's and D-V's turn Saturday at four neutral sites across the Valley.

A pair of doubleheaders (at Paradise Valley and North Canyon high schools) house D-IV games at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Games at Paradise Valley are No. 12 Parker vs. No. 4 Seton Catholic (3 p.m.) and No. 8 Buckeye vs. top-seed Blue Ridge (7 p.m.). At North Canyon it's No. 11 Empire vs. No. 3 Show Low (3 p.m.) and No. 7 Florence vs. No. 2 Snowflake (7 p.m.). The D-V games are at Higley High School (No. 11 Morenci vs. No. 14 San Tan Foothills at 3 p.m. and No. 10 Round Valley vs. No. 2 Yuma Catholic at 7 p.m.) and Williams Field High School (No. 5 St. Johns vs. No. 4 Camp Verde at 3 p.m. and No. 9 Tempe Prep sv. No. 1 Northwest Christian at 7 p.m.).  

Here's a glance at each contest beginning with D-IV: Buckeye (7-4) vs. Blue Ridge (11-0) -- Buckeye faces a tall order in this one. Blue Ridge sports the best defense in D-IV (allowing just 50 points in 11 games). Buckeye did not beat a playoff team (D-III, D-IV or D-V) in the regular season while Blue Ridge toppled six such opponents from different divisions. Parker (7-4) vs. Seton Catholic (11-0) -- Parker pulled off one of two upsets last week based on seeding by eliminating No. 5 Winslow. The Broncs, like Buckeye have their work cut out for them as Seton has blossomed by dropping a notch in division (4A-II to 3A). Seton loves to throw and has been successful with that brand of offense with more than 3,000 yards passing on the season. The Sentinels have outscored their opponents 510-151. Empire (8-3) vs. Show Low (9-3) -- Empire took care of No. 6 seed River Valley on the road last week (17-13), but to continue must beat the Josh Weeks led defending champs. Show Low's only losses are to Moapa Valley, Nev., in the Sollenberger Classic , Snowflake and Blue Ridge. Empire battled a tough D-III opponent Douglas tough before losing to the Bulldogs. Empire is led by quarterback running backs Chance Hatfield and Spencer Woody, who have combined for 1,647 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. Florence (9-2) vs. Snowflake (10-1) -- Snowflake has been as solid as any D-IV team with its only loss by a 24-7 count to Blue Ridge in September. Snowflake has a marquee win over defending champ Show Low. Florence has had trouble getting past teams from the White Mountains in recent years. One of its two losses this season was to Show Low. This is another one of those tests for the Gophers, who have been semifinalists two years running.

D-V: Tempe Prep (7-4) vs. Northwest Christian (11-0) -- Tempe Prep saw the defending state champs NWC just two weeks ago and didn't like what it saw, losing to the Crusaders 37-0. Tempe Prep must try and slow workhorse back Casey Jah, who piled up 176 yards and two scores in the prior meeting. St. Johns (8-3) vs. Camp Verde (9-2) -- St. Johns can't be too disappointed in its losses. All three were to D-IV powers Blue Ridge, Show Low and Snowflake. Camp Verde will have to play tough defense to stay with the Redskins and has done that in most of its games this season. The Cowboys losses are to Northwest Christian and Tempe Prep. Morenci (8-3) vs. San Tan Foothills (7-4) -- San Tan Foothills got its fan base excited with its upset of No. 3 seed and small-school power Thatcher last week. Morenci did the same ousting No. 6 Arizona Lutheran. San Tan likes to run the ball as does Morenci. San Tan Foothills is led by Carlos Melendez, who has rushed for 2,164 yards and 29 TDs. Morenci likes spread the ball among running backs Clay Ruedas and Ryan Sanders and quarterback Frank Ogas. The trio have combined for 1,770 yards rushing and 29 TDs. Round Valley (6-5) vs. Yuma Catholic (10-1) -- Yuma Catholic's only misstep(s) the last two years have come against NWC. The Shamrocks lost twice to NWC last year, including the 2A title game and in this year's season opener. Yuma Catholic is led by running backs Kody Hazlett and Ryan Gill. Hazlett is closing in on 1,000-yard rushing season (974). He and Gill have combined for 25 TDs. Quarterback  Tommy Pistone has passed for 3,045 yards and 38 TDs. Round Valley knocked of No. 7 Willcox last week. The Elks hope their experience with tough White Mountain schools (Snowflake, Blue Ridge and Show Low) helps them against the explosive Shamrocks. Round Valley's other two losses are to St. Johns and Thatcher.