First glance at 2018 football postseason is similar to past seasons. Last year's champs Chandler (6A), Centennial (5A), Saguaro (4A), Thatcher (2A) are headed for threepeat, repeat, sixpeat and threepeat, respectively. 1A could have a repeat if Williams prevails, but that one is sensibly up for grabs. The only conference guaranteed a new champ is 3A -  has to be since Casteel moved up from 3A to 5A.

Don't expect my opinion at second glance  next week will change. But these are the playoffs and the games have to be played.

 

6A

#16 Boulder Creek (4-6) at #1 Chandler (9-1)

#9 Brophy Prep (7-3) at #8 Mountain Pointe (6-4)

#12 Cesar Chavez (7-3) at #5 Highland (9-1)

#13 Westview (8-2) at #4 Liberty (9-1)

#14 Chaparral (5-5) at #3 Desert Vista (9-1)

#11 Basha (6-4) at # 6 Perry (8-2)

#10 Red Mountain (8-2) at #7 Queen Creek (7-3)

#15 Desert Ridge at #2 Pinnacle (9-1)

Newcomers to the 6A playoff field this year who didn't qualify last year: Brophy, Basha and Desert Vista. Queen Creek, Chaparral and Liberty weren't in 6A, but qualified in 5A. Projected quarterfinal matchups -- Mountain Pointe-Chandler, Highland-Liberty; Desert Vista-Perry, Queen Creek-Pinnacle.

 

5A

#16 Sunnyslope (5-5) at #1 Centennial (10-0)

#9 Marana (7-3) at #8 Cienega (8-2)

#12 Ironwood Ridge (6-4) at #5 Higley (7-3)

#13 Horizon (6-4) at #4 Casteel (8-2)

#14 Gilbert (4-6) at #3 Notre Dame Prep (10-0)

#11 Flowing Wells (8-2) at #6 Millennium (8-2)

#10 Campo Verde (6-4) at #7 Sunrise Mountain(7-3)

#15 Maricopa (5-5) at #2 Williams Field (9-1)

Newcomers to the 5A playoff field who didn't qualify last year: Flowing Wells, Maricopa. Gilbert and Millennuim were in 6A last year and did not qualify; Casteel was in 3A and qualified. Sunrise Mountain and Higley were in 4A and qualified. Projected quarterfinal matchups -- Centennial-Marana, Higley-Casteel, Notre Dame-Millennium, Campo Verde-Williams Field.

4A

#16 Apache Junction (7-3) at #1 Salpointe (10-0)

#9 Mingus (8-2) at #8 Bradshaw Mountain (8-2)

#12 Glendale (9-1) at #5 Sahuaro (8-2)

#13 Seton Catholic (7-3) at #4 Peoria (9-1)

#14 Walden Grove (8-2) at #3 Desert Edge (7-3)

#11 Prescott (7-3) at #6 Greenway (9-1)

#10 Canyon del Oro (7-3) at #7 Cactus (7-3)

#15 Estrella Foothills (6-4) at #2 Saguaro (9-1)

Newcomers to the 4A playoff field who didn't qualify last year: Bradshaw Mountain, Glendale, Sahuaro, Desert Edge, Greenway, Canyon del Oro, Estrella Foothills. Bradshaw Mountain, CDO and Greenway were in 4A last year. Sahuaro, Glendale and Desert Edge were in 5A with Desert Edge qualifying. Projected quarterfinal matchups -- Salpointe-Bradshaw Mountain, Sahuaro-Peoria, Desert Edge-Prescott, Cactus-Saguaro.

 

3A

#16 Winslow (6-4) at #1 Northwest Christian (9-1)

#9 Benjamin Franklin (6-4) at #8 Wickenburg (8-2)

#12 Coolidge (7-3) at #5 Valley Christian (7-3)

#13 Pusch Ridge (5-5) at #4 Page (9-1)

#14 Fountain Hills (5-5) at #3 Snowflake (8-1)

#11 Blue Ridge (6-4) at #6 Sabino (8-2)

#10 Safford (6-4) at #7 Odyssey Institute (8-2)

#15 Show Low (3-6) at #2 Yuma Catholic (8-2)

Newcomers to  the 3A playoff field who didn't qualify last year:  Winslow, Valley Christian, Safford and Odyssey Institute. Projected quarterfinal matchups: Northwest Christian-Benjamin Franklin; Valley Christian-Page; Snowflake-Sabino; Yuma Catholic-Safford.

 

2A

#16 North Pointe Prep (8-2) at #1 Thatcher (10-0)

#9 Benson (6-4) at #8 Alchesay (9-1)

#12 Scottsdale Christian (7-3) at #5 Phoenix Christian (8-2)

#13 Parker (6-3) at #4 Morenci (8-2)

#14 Pima (3-6) at #3 Round Valley (8-2)

#11 Chandler Prep (8-2) at #6 Arizona Lutheran (8-2)

#10 Willcox (7-3) at #7 St. Johns (7-3)

#15 Red Mesa (9-1) at #2 Trivium Prep (9-0)

Newcomers to the 2A playoff field who didn't qualify last year: Benson, Parker, Pima, Chandler Prep, Red Mesa and Trivium Prep. North Pointe Prep competed in 3A last year and did not qualify. Projected quarterfinal matchups: Thatcher-Benson; Phoenix Christian-Morenci; Round Valley-Arizona Lutheran; St. Johns-Trivium Prep.

1A semifinals

#5 Hayden (7-3) vs. #1 Williams (9-0) at Maricopa HS (Nov. 3)

#3 Mogollon (8-1) vs. #2 Superior (9-0) at Maricopa HS (Nov. 3)

Newcomer to the semis is Haydne. Williams, Superior and Mogollon were semifinalists last year. Projected title game: Williams vs. Mogollon