The brackets have been filled and it's playoff time in Arizona once again! For this first round, I'll be staying close to home and won't even have to get on a freeway. I'll be at Horizon to see the defending 5A champion Huskies against Gilbert, a team that overachieved vs. most people's preseason predictions.
Gilbert (6-4) hasn't won a playoff game since 2010, although it should be noted that the Tigers only qualified for the postseason in 2018 & 2019 in that span. The Tigers are led by 2-way RB/LB Cooper Zellner. The son of head coach Derek Zellner rushed for 763 yards & 10 TDs while also leading GHS in tackles with 121. Gilbert likes to blitz and junior defensive end Parker Bryce has cleaned up with 17 sacks and 5 forced fumbles. The Tigers defeated Sunnyslope this season and led Notre Dame last week at halftime (7-2) before falling in the second half.
Horizon (6-4) had a 5-game win streak snapped last week against ALA-Queen Creek for the San Tan Region title. With ALA in the Open bracket, the Huskies went 3-1 against teams in the 5A playoffs (NDP was the loss). Horizon was expecting to have Wesley Lambert back at RB, but he moved to Florida over the summer. That cleared up space for freshman Bodie Zamorano, who has rushed for 605 yards and 8 TDs. Kaden Zordani and Roman Funk have split time all season and it will be interesting to see if the Huskies continue this in the playoffs. Baylor commit Matthew Klopfenstein and senior WR Cole Linyard provide targets for either passer.
In terms of common opponents, both teams lost to Notre Dame and both teams beat Cactus Shadows. Horizon defeated Campo Verde while Gilbert lost to the Coyotes. It's a 12-5 matchup and the winner will likely be headed to Cactus next week in the quarterfinals.
Gilbert (6-4) hasn't won a playoff game since 2010, although it should be noted that the Tigers only qualified for the postseason in 2018 & 2019 in that span. The Tigers are led by 2-way RB/LB Cooper Zellner. The son of head coach Derek Zellner rushed for 763 yards & 10 TDs while also leading GHS in tackles with 121. Gilbert likes to blitz and junior defensive end Parker Bryce has cleaned up with 17 sacks and 5 forced fumbles. The Tigers defeated Sunnyslope this season and led Notre Dame last week at halftime (7-2) before falling in the second half.
Horizon (6-4) had a 5-game win streak snapped last week against ALA-Queen Creek for the San Tan Region title. With ALA in the Open bracket, the Huskies went 3-1 against teams in the 5A playoffs (NDP was the loss). Horizon was expecting to have Wesley Lambert back at RB, but he moved to Florida over the summer. That cleared up space for freshman Bodie Zamorano, who has rushed for 605 yards and 8 TDs. Kaden Zordani and Roman Funk have split time all season and it will be interesting to see if the Huskies continue this in the playoffs. Baylor commit Matthew Klopfenstein and senior WR Cole Linyard provide targets for either passer.
In terms of common opponents, both teams lost to Notre Dame and both teams beat Cactus Shadows. Horizon defeated Campo Verde while Gilbert lost to the Coyotes. It's a 12-5 matchup and the winner will likely be headed to Cactus next week in the quarterfinals.
