Arizona High School Football 16 for 2016: Week 8

Each week of the 2016 football season, I'll take you through my top 16 match-ups of the week, with analysis and predictions. The rankings associated with each team in the 16 for 2016 breakdown come from the ArizonaVarsity Media Poll.

You can also view the STATE FORTY EIGHT Power 48 Rankings here.

I went 15-6 in my picks last week, and got my pick of last night's game correct as well. My best pick last week was Chandler over Perry- my prediction of 44-34 was one point away from guessing the correct score (44-35).

Overall prediction record: 119-37 (76%)

16) Benson at Bisbee

RB Brandon Laird had 118 yards rushing in this rivalry game last year, and I expect him to eclipse that this year. Look out for Bisbee's Troy Ferestad, who has over 1,000 yards rshing from the QB position. Benson leads 19-7-2 all time in the rivalry.

Prediction: Benson 44, Bisbee 20

15) Apollo at Kellis

Apollo is 4-0 all-time against Kellis, but the 6-1 Cougars have a special team this year, and can control the 5A Metro section with a win. Apollo's win over Maricopa impressed me, but I think they have trouble stopping Damien Campbell, who has 394 yards rushing in his last 2 games.

Prediction: Kellis 28, Apollo 20

14) Scottsdale Christian at Gilbert Christian

Gilbert Christian surprised me with how closely they played Tempe Prep- a team that beat Scottsdale Christian earlier in the year. I'm not sure they have an answer for Jack Miller, who (if you include at least one playoff game) is on pace for 52 TD passes and 3600+ yards.

Prediction: Scottsdale Christian 38, Gilbert Christian 28

13) Horizon at Desert Mountain

I'm curious about this matchup because Horizon has made it to 6-1 without really facing a high level passing attack this season. Desert Mountain needs this win or the playoffs are a virtual impossibility. I think Horizon QB Nick Gregory throws for over 200 yards for the first time this season and the Huskies come out on top.

Prediction: Horizon 31, Desert Mountain 27

12) Cibola at Kofa

Cibola has outscored Kofa 206-17 in their last four matchups, and has won eight in a row in this Yuma rivalry, but Kofa comes into this game at 5-2, and had 2 weeks to prepare. It's a compelling game, but unfortunately I think we'll see more of the recent results.

Prediction: Cibola 46, Kofa 14

11) Westview at Valley Vista

Valley Vista has rattled off 5 straight wins after nearly defeating Skyline. This is the least talked about team that is currently in the 6A playoff hunt, and now it's time to see if they're for real when they host Tyler Vasko and the Knights. Valley Vista gave up one yard per carry against Tolleson last week, and Westview is averaging over 8 yards per carry on the season. Something has to give.

Prediction: Westview 28, Valley Vista 24

10) Winslow at Payson

Tonight a 2-5 Payson team comes in a heavy favorite against 3A East foe Winslow, who is 5-2. The last 3 weeks Payson had losses of 7, 9 & 5 points to unbeaten Round Valley, Show Low and Snowflake. Their 5 losses are to teams that are 32-5 combined. Winslow's 5 wins are over teams that are a combined 16-22.

Prediction: Payson 33, Winslow 24

9) Dobson at Mesa Mountain View

Mountain View has 21 straight wins over Dobson in a streak that dates back to 1992. Right before a Clinton got elected. Omen? Dobson actually put up their best fight last season, and has put together a respectable 2016 season. Mesa Mountain View is coming off a big win over Reed Mountain where they had a huge start.

Prediction: Mountain View 31, Dobson 20

8) St. Mary's at Cactus Shadows

The playoffs start today for St. Mary's. They have a clear path to the postseason if they win tonight, if not, it's on to 2017. Cactus Shadows is looking to protect its playoff spot and score on a tough defense. This should be a very good game.

Prediction: St. Mary's 23, Cactus Shadows 20

7) Northwest Christian at River Valley

River Valley has three straight shutouts after their only loss of the season to Yuma Catholic, and despite being a traditional playoff threat, their 6-1 record has them in danger of missing the playoffs if they can't beat Northwest Christian. Somehow these two teams have never met, and its hard to gauge who will come out on top. With that being said, I'm taking the home team.

Prediction: River Valley 22, Northwest Christian 14

6) Hamilton at Basha

I always stand by my predictions and I'm not afraid to sink with the ship. Beofre the season I said that my boldest 2016 prediction would be Basha upsetting Hamilton for the very first time in school history. Nothing I've seen this year leads me to believe that will happen, but I can't chicken out now.

Prediction: Basha 31, Hamilton 28

5) Higley at Cactus

The offensive eruption from Cooper Jones and Draycen Hall this year has kept teams from being able to gameplan against Gilbert, Crescione and Crossland as the Knights' main weapons. I believe that's what will give Cactus fits tonight.

Prediction: Higley 45, Cactus 35

4) Brophy at Perry

Was Brophy's loss to Basha a fluke, or is the recipe for beating Brophy this year as simple as not giving them any gift-wrapped possessions through turnovers. Perry is certainly turnover prone, but they're also incredible gifted offensively, and don't give up even if they're down. I'm giving this one to the home team, but I went back and forth on it several times.

Prediction: Perry 27, Brophy 21

3) Ironwood Ridge at Tucson

I believe that Tucson will be in the playoff regardless, but it would be good or the Badgers to try and get a win over a team that's perceived to be better than them, especially in the same season that they broke their losing streak against Salpointe. The Nighthawks are 8-1 all-time against the Badgers, and if Daniel Peabody gets going, it could be 9-1.

Prediction: Ironwood Ridge 34, Tucson 28

2) Thatcher at Round Valley

Thatcher and Round Valley are the two best teams in 2A according to just about everyone (although our media poll has a couple of Santa Cruz lobbyists). This is an exciting chance to see a game that will probably be repeated in the postseason.

Prediction: Thatcher 27, Round Valley 24

1) Mountain Pointe at Desert Ridge

I had Desert Ridge as my #1 team in the state coming into this seasaon, and then I saw Mountain Pointe throttle Chandler and pivoted to the Pride. Mountain Pointe is without their starting running back and quarterback, but has enough talent, especially defensively, to hang with anyone. Stylistically though, this is the one game that could give the Pride fits. Their strength is on the interior of their offensive line, while Desert Ridge brings the pressure from the edge. Their strength on defense is length and speed, but Desert Ridge is only interested in eating up short distances until the dam breaks. I'm giving the edge to the Jaguars here, with the full knowledge that last time I picked against Mountain Pointe I was carjacked on the way home from that game. If the Pride win, and something else catastrophic happens to me I'll know never to pick against them again.

Prediction: Desert Ridge 19, Mountain Pointe 17

Coconino at PRESCOTT

MESQUITE at Vista Grande

CASA GRANDE at Tempe

MARCOS DE NIZA at Seton Catholic

Poston Butte at MARANA

MINGUS at Flagstaff

Shadow Mountain at THUNDERBIRD

NOTRE DAME PREP at North Canyon