EDITOR'S NOTE: For the Fall Boys State Soccer Championship bracket, click here.

Having made an appearance in six straight state championship matches, outsiders might think this puts an enormous amount of pressure on a soccer program, but for the Chino Valley boys club, it’s business as usual.

This week, the No. 1-ranked Cougars (16-0, 6-0 North) are in familiar territory, but to make it seven straight title appearances and claim their third championship in four years, coach Todd Carey said right now, it’s all about getting “healthy.”

“That’s our game plan right now. Just try to get healthy so we can come out strong in the playoffs,” said Carey, who leads a program that has won eight titles in program history, three shy of Blue Ridge (11).

In fact, the Cougars have appeared in 10 of the last 11 state championship matches, only missing out on the 2017 campaign when they lost 1-nil to Phoenix Country Day in the semifinals.

Of course, last year’s title match didn’t go their way, losing a 4-3 thriller to Snowflake.

The undefeated Cougars are still working on “finishing and formations” Carey said, but with four wins in the Top 10 (Show Low, Snowflake, Payson, Camp Verde) this season, adjusting on the fly shouldn’t be an issue for the Cougars.

“Honestly, I think it is wide open this year. Every team in the playoffs is very skilled and has a chance to advance,” Carey said.

The Fall Boys State Soccer Championships are scheduled to begin Tuesday, Oct. 29, with No. 1 Chino Valley hosting No. 8 Benson (7-4, 3-2 South) at 2 p.m.

SNOWFLAKE

The defending state champion Lobos (8-5, 6-0 East) won the first title in program history a season ago, and they’re looking to repeat that effort this week.

Coach Kegan Kay’s group has five losses this season, all of which came by one goal.

“I think all the teams in our [league] know we are a scary team to have to play in the playoffs,” Kay said. “We have suffered a few losses this year, but they were all close games. A lot of teams know that just because Snowflake is ranked lower, we match up well against all the teams and we are going to fight the whole game.”

The No. 5-seeded Lobos open the playoffs with a road trip to No. 4 Willcox on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Official start time is set for 6 p.m.

NOTES

No. 3 Show Low (14-2, 6-1 East) has won 11 of their last 12 matches, but it’s last two losses were to Chino Valley. The Cougars host Highland Prep West on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m. … No. 2 Madison Highland (14-2, 2-3 Central) is set to host No. 7 Payson (9-4, 3-1 Central) on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on X at @AzPreps365Brian or on Facebook at @Five2MediaWorks. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.