5A CONFERENCE

No. 8 Cienega (9-2) at No. 1 Centennial (11-0), 7 p.m.

 

Centennial beat Cienega 35-0 way back on Sept. 7. The Coyotes see that Week Four victory as one among many.

The Coyotes have averaged 12 wins a year since their first appearance in a state final in 2005 and, of the six state championship won since 2006, three have come since 2014 including a 42-21 dismantling of Notre Dame in the 5A state championship last year.

The losses? The Coyotes only average one of those a year and the last setback came on Oct. 27, 2017. Centennial lost to Liberty by two points that day but then went on to beat Liberty in the semifinal round three weeks later.

Simply, it’s going to take a perfect game from the Bobcats to come up with an upset.

 

4A CONFERENCE

No. 9 Mingus (9-2) at No. 1 Salpointe (11-0), 7 p.m.

 

The Lancers have only lost twice to conference opponents dating back to the start of the 2016 season. That 19-2 mark is an incredible run, spoiled by a semifinal loss to Saguaro in 2016 and a championship loss in 2017.

The Marauders will have to live up to their name to leave Tucson with a victory.

 

No. 13 Seton Catholic (8-3) at No. 5 Sahuaro (9-2), 7 p.m.

 

The Cougars haven’t won nine games since 2014 and the Sentinels made it to the quarterfinal round last year. Which team has arrived?

 

3A CONFERENCE

No. 6 Sabino (9-2) at No. 3 Snowflake (9-1), 7 p.m.

 

The Sabercats started the season out 0-2 but have rebounded with nine straight victories while the Lobos started out 1-1 with eight straight victories. One of those losses by Snowflake was a 22-7 setback to Safford at home while Sabino beat Safford 20-17 on the road.

This game can go either way.

 

2A CONFERENCE

No. 9 Benson (7-4) at No. 1 Thatcher (11-0), 7 p.m.

 

The Eagles have won back-to-back state championships and are seeking a third. It’s a 36-3 run that will be very difficult to stop.