AIA ranks 4A Canyon del Oro No. 3 in Open football

Oro Valley Canyon del Oro football coach Dusty Peace is surprised and puzzled to see his team ranked as the third-best team in the latest Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) computer playoff seedings. The AIA released its latest playoff rankings on Tuesday morning but did not provide details on how the computer rankings are determined.

Out of all the 4A teams, Canyon del Oro is the only one ranked among the top eight that would play in the state Open Division playoff bracket. The Open Division was introduced by the AIA in 2019 and includes the top teams from the three big conferences (6A, 5A, and 4A).

“We haven’t played a 6A school in five years,” said Peace, whose team recently defeated the previously unbeaten Tucson Mica Mountaini in a 4A game. “It just doesn’t make any sense. We are still ranked No. 2 in 4A but No. 3 in the Open Division.

“It seems illogical, and we hope to gain more clarity in the coming weeks.”

Currently, Canyon del Oro has a perfect 7-0 record, with only one game against a non-4A school, a victory over a 2-5 Marana team that competes in 5A. The Dorados are expected to win their remaining games against 3-4 Tucson Pueblo, 2-5 Tucson Sahuaro, and 5-2 Sahuarita Walden Grove, which would likely secure their place in the Open Division when the playoffs begin.

If the playoffs started this week, Canyon del Oro would face off against No. 6 ALA Queen Creek, a 6-1 team in 6A. ALA Queen Creek plays against Gilbert Highland on Friday, and a win would ensure their spot in the Open Division. Currently, Highland sits just outside the Open Division at No. 9, with a 5-2 record.

In the 4A rankings by the AIA, Yuma Catholic holds the top spot with an 8-0 record, followed by Canyon del Oro at No. 2. Northwest Christian, with a 7-0 record, is ranked third in 4A. However, both Yuma Catholic and Northwest Christian also have teams competing in 3A for other sports, disqualifying them from participating in the Open Division, which is reserved for schools in the 4A through 6A range.

Chandler Hamilton and Scottsdale Saguaro are fighting to keep their streak of Open Division appearances alive. Both schools have made it to the Open Division every year since its inception. Saguaro was unable to participate in the 2020 Open Division due to COVID.

Hamilton (5-2) suffered a setback with a double-overtime loss to defending Open state champion Basha two weeks ago, placing them at No. 10 in the Open rankings. Saguaro (4-3), if they win and have quarterback Mason Bray available against Liberty this week, could potentially secure their spot in the Open Division. Currently, Saguaro sits at No. 13 in the Open rankings, just ahead of 4A Arcadia (7-0).

In the Open rankings for 5A teams, Scottsdale Desert Mountain and Goodyear Desert Edge occupy the seventh and eighth spots for this week.

Peoria Centennial remains at the top of the rankings, followed by Liberty. Basha holds the fourth spot, with Chandler right behind at No. 5. Basha and Chandler will face each other in a rematch of last year’s Open Division semifinal this Friday.

More: The Arizona Republic’s high school football rankings through Oct. 16: Open-1A

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Shocker: AIA ranks 4A Canyon del Oro No. 3 in Open football