Southern Arizona Playoff Roundup: Salpointe, Pusch Ridge, Benson and Santa Cruz advance to semifinal round

November 27, 2020 by Andy Morales, AZPreps365


Pusch Ridge to play Yuma Catholic next Saturday (Andy Morales/AZPreps365)

Four teams from Southern Arizona remain after the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs with Salpointe (6-0) and Benson (7-0) advancing due to forfeits brought on by COVID concerns. The Lancers are seeded No. 6 in the Open Division and the team will take on No. 2 Hamilton (7-1) in the Open Division next Saturday after No. 3 Saguaro (5-1) pulled out of the quarterfinal round on Thursday.

Hamilton beat No. 7 Corona del Sol 50-0 Friday night to set up the Open Division semifinal game against Salpointe. The Huskies will host that game with game time set for 7 p.m.

Top-seeded Benson advanced to the semifinal round of the 2A state playoffs after No. 8 Morenci (6-1) pulled out on Nov. 25. The Bobcats will face No. 4 Arizona Lutheran (6-0) next Saturday after the Coyotes slipped past No. 5 Parker 32-30 Friday night.

In other 2A action, No. 3 Santa Cruz (7-1) beat No. 6 Scottsdale Prep 55-6 to advance to the semifinal round where the Dust Devils will face No. 7 St. Johns. (6-1). St. Johns upset No. 2 Scottsdale Christian 22-21 Friday night.

No. 4 Pusch Ridge improved to 8-1 on the year after the Lions dismantled No. 5 Wickenburg 35-6 Friday night at home. The Lions will face No. 1 Yuma Catholic (9-0) next Saturday in the 3A semifinal round. The Shamrocks beat No. 8 Thatcher 43-20 at home Friday night to advance.

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Yuma Catholic beat Pusch Ridge 14-7 at home on Oct. 9.

Game times for 2A and 3A semifinal games have not been decided upon.