The 5A-II state football playoffs are similar to 5A-I in that there is a prohibitive favorite in defending champion and top-seed Chaparral. Beyond that the 5A-II opening-round games do not look anything like their 5A-I counterparts. The matchups ffigure to run like clockwork according to the seeds with perhaps the usual exceptions in a 9-8 or 10-7 matchup. And rather than one rematch of a regular-season meeting, there are four of eight in the initial battles for 2010 5A-II supremacy.

The 5A-I state football playoffs offers some suspense in the early going. Perhaps more so than in recent years so fans should rejoice in that aspect. Hamilton (5A-I) is the prohibitive favorite to be sure with an unbeaten record and defending state-champion status. And it is a bit of an odd year when Mesa Mountain View and Brophy are double-digit rather than single-digit seeds and qualify with .500 records.

Desert Edge senior set two records in the state meet, considering possible Olympic bid in 2012.

Behind Madison Kingdon\\\'s powerful performance, Vikings dispatch Prescott to win third straight 4A-I title.

Both teams feature a strong running game. Saguaro, Peoria looming in the background.

Liberty, Notre Dame, Mingus are capable of advancing as playoffs begin.

Alhambra wins cross country title for Division I boys; Hopi continues long run in Division IV.

Colts win first two games, then lose two, maintaining composure to win decisive fifth game.

Volleyball, swimming and diving, cross country, small-school soccer sure to keep fans busy.

He struggled in his early years, but developed into a solid leader.