When Hamilton and Desert Ridge tangled in a Week 4 showdown there was a feel from some quarters the Huskies were the underdog. A convincing 28-6 victory by Hamilton that Sept. 16 night reaffirmed the Huskies as the team to beat in Division I.

Nothing has changed since as Hamilton (12-0) has added eight more wins and advanced its nation-best winning streak to 52 games. Desert Ridge (10-2) gets its third chance in a year to change that Friday night at 7 when the teams collide in a D-I semifinal at Chandler High.

"No disrepect to the other teams, but I think with Hamilton and us playing it's the best two teams playing for the right to get in (championship)," Desert Ridge coach Jeremy Hathcock said. "They have two real good kids on the interior (defensive) line and their team speed is great as usual. We have to take our shots when we have matchups we like. Try to find a weak spot."

Hamilton introduced more new starters this year than in just about any season prior. The Huskies have progressed at a pace that has left coach Steve Belles satisfied. The Huskies erased several mistakes that hurt them in a 28-21 win over Chandler the first time the teams met. That helped translate to a 28-0 win the second time around last week.

"We've made improvement as we've gone along," Belles said. "i think from the first time we played Desert Ridge, our offensive line has gelled as a group. They have a three-headed monster that's hard to stop and they appear healthy. We know from last year and this year the first time we played that  we won't underestimate them. It's a cliche, but it will come down to turnovers, special teams and some little things that can be overlooked."

The three-headed monster of course  for Desert Ridge -- seniors Jordan Becerra, Joey Counts and Parker Rasmussen. That trio has terrorized most opponents. In last year's title game Counts and Becerra each rushed for more than 100 yards (260 total). In the game this year they were limited to 61 yards total and the passing game 99. Desert Ridge's only score in the game was a fumble return by its defense.

Hamilton spreads the ball around on the ground, but makes sure it gets the ball often to versatile Kendyl Taylor. Taylor averages 12 touches a game and 10 yards per carry/reception. Taylor's the Huskies second-leading rusher behind quarterback Blake Kemp and has a whopping 66 catches. Kemp (2,125 yards passing), who started slowly  throwing six interceptions in the first three games, has not been intercepted in the last nine contests. Plenty of weapons to keep Desert Ridge on its toes in a game that is likely to have a championship feel.

"Our goal is winning the state title," Hathcock said. "So is theirs. It's pretty simple so may the best team win."

In the other semifinal set for Friday night at 7 at Mesquite High School, No. 7 Basha (9-3) takes on No. 3 Desert Vista (11-1).

Basha has endured a wacky year highlighted by streakiness, lots of offense and at times little defense. The Bears opened the season winning six in a row, lost the next three and  have bounced back to win three straight. They've scored 556 points and allowed 314 -- the latter a hefty number for a team playing in the semifinals. Their defense has posted three shutouts and limited a fourth victim to seven points. That means in the other eight games (5-3) they've given up 38.4 points a game.

Basha has, however,  made a postseason about-face in coach Bernie Busken's second season at the helm. Last year as the No. 2 seed Basha was upset by Gilbert in the first round. The Bears enter the contest with  a shutout of Tucson and knocked out No. 2 seed and unbeaten Brophy, 32-29, last week. Brophy beat six D-I teams during the season that qualified for the playoffs. That game was the only one Basha played this year that's been decided by a touchdown or less. Two of Basha's three losses are to Hamilton and Desert Ridge.

This is the second year in a row Desert Vista has reached the semifinals and the third time in the last five in the semis or better. Desert Vista hasn't scored points quite at the rate Basha has, but has been a better defensive team than the Bears. The Thunder's only loss is to Hamilton.

Expect a shootout in this one. Both teams have playoff-tested quarterbacks (Basha's Kyle Duran and Desert Vista's Hunter Rodriguez) with potent passing games. Basha has dangerous receivers in Nate Phillips and Keenan Garland;  Desert Vista counters with Matt Geranen and Kaleb Germinaro. Both teams also run effectively (Basha's J.J. Husar and Rajhan Meriwether primarily) and Desert Vista (Dominic Kereluk and Mike Arredondo).

Desert Vista enjoyed the best draw of any of the top four seeds and drubbed inferior opponents (North Canyon and Pinnacle) to reach the semis. Desert Vista, like Basha, has not been involved in many close games. The Thunder won both of theirs decided by a touchdown or less (31-28 over Saguaro and 38-31 over Chandler).