Cowboys host Bobcats for Friday quarterfinals

Morenci, Pima eliminated in second round

By Raymundo Frasquillo

WILLCOX – The No. 6 Willcox Cowboys (9-2 overall, 11.1884 rating) host the No. 14 Benson Bobcats (8-4, 5.5877) on Friday, Nov. 14. It is for the quarterfinals, beginning at 7 p.m.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Second Round pairings had No. 15 Morenci (left) versus No. 2 Scottsdale Christian and No. 10 Pima versus No. 7 San Tan Charter on Nov. 7. The Eagles and Roadrunners advanced. Willcox hosts No. 14 Benson as No. 6 on Friday, Nov. 14. Kick-off is 7 p.m.

The quarterfinals have the higher seeds as hosts on Nov. 14, the semifinals are on Nov. 22, and the final is on Nov. 29.

The top-ranked team has qualified for the title game in three of the most recent five seasons (2020-24), winning once. Six of the second round participants have ended as finalists during that span.

It was No. 12 Scottsdale Christian 28-27 over No. 3 Pima in 2024, No. 3 Scottsdale Christian 41-24 over No. 1 Pima in 2023, No. 1 Pima 59-19 over No. 2 Morenci in 2022, No. 2 Arizona Lutheran 28-14 over No. 4 Morenci in 2021, and No. 3 Santa Cruz 42-7 over No. 1 Benson in 2020.

2A State Play-offs, Quarterfinals (Nov. 14)

Pairings in the upper bracket are No. 1 Phoenix Veritas Prep (11-0 overall, 19.7236 rating) hosting No. 9 Tucson Tanque Verde (10-2, 9.0806) and No. 4 Saint Johns (10-1, 15.2831) hosting No. 5 Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (10-1, 13.2259).

The lower bracket has No. 6 Willcox (9-2, 11.1884) hosting No. 14 Benson (8-4, 5.5877) and No. 2 Scottsdale Christian (10-1, 16.9209) hosting No. 7 Gilbert San Tan Charter (9-2, 10.2541).

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Julien Aragon (13) approaches the handoff for sophomore quarterback Deegan Miller (10) and finds room for a third possession 7-yard gain on 2nd-and-5. Making up the gaps are blockers, sophomore David Licano (78), sophomore James Davis (59), and junior Joel Baca (28).

2A State Play-offs, Second Round (Nov. 7)

There were two upsets during the second round: No. 9 Tanque Verde over No. 8 Camp Verde, 39-15, and No. 14 Benson over No. 3 Phoenix Christian, 35-21.

Eliminated in the upper bracket were No. 17 Santa Cruz (6-6, 2.6443), 35-7 by No. 1 Phoenix Veritas Prep, No. 8 Camp Verde (7-4, 9.1713), 39-15 by No. 9 Tucson Tanque Verde, No. 12 Parker (8-3, 6.9454), 38-8 by No. 5 Phoenix Arizona Lutheran, and No. 13 Chandler Prep (8-4, 5.9088) 73-21 by No. 4 Saint Johns.

Ousted in the lower bracket were No. 3 Phoenix Christian (8-3, 15.3333) 35-21 by No. 14 Benson, No. 11 Glendale Trivium Prep (8-4, 7.5515) 55-6 by No. 6 Willcox, No. 10 Pima (7-5, 6.9312) 27-9 by No. 7 Gilbert San Tan Charter, and No. 15 Morenci (7-5, 5.2989) 55-0 by No. 2 Scottsdale Christian.

2A State Play-offs, First Round (Oct. 31)

There was a lone upset during first round pairings, lower seed Santa Cruz over Glendale Prep 66-50.

Upper bracket pairings had No. 17 Eloy Santa Cruz (6-5) 66-50 over No. 16 Glendale Prep (7-4), No. 9 Tucson Tanque Verde (9-2) 43-6 over No. 24 Tonopah Valley (4-7), No. 12 Parker (7-2) 37-14 over No. 21 Scottsdale Prep (4-7), and No. 13 Chandler Prep (8-3) 26-21 over No. 20 Whiteriver Alchesay (7-4).

The lower bracket pairings had No. 14 Benson (7-4) 49-6 over No. 19 Globe (6-5), No. 11 Glendale Trivium Prep (8-3) 42-34 over No. 22 Wittmann Mountainside (6-5), No. 10 Pima (7-4) 47-6 over No. 23 Holbrook (6-5), and No. 15 Morenci (7-4) 45-6 over No. 18 Tuba City (7-4).

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Everett Salazar (25) was limited to a yard on his initial carry. The Scottsdale Christian senior scored three plays later on 1st-and-goal from the five. The Eagles would not trail the rest of the game.

No. 14 Benson at No. 6 Willcox

The 2A South 2 Region members met in the regular season, with Willcox topping Benson by nine points, 26-17.

Benson had six of its 10 regular season opponents ranked in the 2A Top 17, three in the Top 8 with No. 1 Veritas Prep (10-0), No. 3 Phoenix Christian (8-2), and No. 6 Willcox (8-2); and three from Nos. 9-21 with No. 9 Tanque Verde (8-2), No. 15 Morenci (6-4), and No. 17 Santa Cruz (5-5). The Bobcats’ 10 opponents posted a combined regular-season record of 59-39. Six were in the second round and three are in the quarterfinals.

The Bobcats have gained 4,381 offensive yards during 12 games, averaging 19.7 (178-2,617) yards on 178-277 passes with 13 interceptions and 7.0 (247-1,764) yards rushing. Touchdowns scored have totaled 53, 33 passing and 20 rushing.

Defensively, Benson has totaled 12 quarterback sacks, 14 interceptions, and nine fumble recoveries.

Seven of Willcox’s 10 opponents finished the regular season ranked in the 2A Top 21, one in the Top 8 with No. 5 Arizona Lutheran (9-1), and six from Nos. 9-21 with No. 9 Tanque Verde (9-2), No. 10 Pima (7-4), No. 14 Benson (7-4), No. 15 Morenci (7-4), No. 17 Santa Cruz (6-5), and No. 21 Scottsdale Prep (5-6). The Cowboys’ 10 opponents posted a combined regular-season record of 56-42. Six were in the second round and four are in the quarterfinals.

The Cowboys have gained 3,901 offensive yards during 11 games, averaging 22.7 (46-921) yards on 46-97 passes with eight interceptions and 8.7 (342-2,980) yards rushing. Touchdowns scored have totaled 42, seven passing and 35 rushing.

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Brock Libby (87) plants his left foot to make the initial conversion kick of the game. The Scottsdale freshman made seven of seven.*

BENSON Bobcats (7.5515 rating)

The Chris Rasmussen-coached Bobcats (8-4 overall, 2-1 South 2 Region for second of four) averaged a score of 34-15 (411-225) per game or a 19-point margin following 12 games.

Benson has wins over South 1 Region Bisbee (34-0, Aug. 22), South 1 Region Tombstone (61-14, Sept. 5), South 1 Region Tucson Tanque Verde (30-21, Sept. 12), Eloy Santa Cruz (28-26, Oct. 3), Tucson Desert Christian (67-7, Oct. 10), South 1 Region Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (56-6, Oct. 24), No. 19 Globe (49-6, Oct. 31), and No. 3 Phoenix Christian (35-21, Nov. 7). The losses were to Metro 4 Region Phoenix Christian (14-49, Aug. 29), Metro 4 Region Phoenix Veritas Prep (6-29, Sep. 19), East Region Morenci (14-20, Sept. 25), and Willcox (17-26, Oct. 17).

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Isaiah Cook (77) has his shoulder pad held by a Scottsdale Christian lineman (57). The Morenci senior tackle was trying to open a running lane.*

Benson lists a 40-member roster with 11 seniors, 14 juniors, 11 sophomores, and four freshmen. The seniors include Leif Allred (72), Benjamin Blaylock (34), Adrian Baeuerlen (50), Rawley Evans (4), Dawson Judd (9), Ely Little (74), Kane Murray (76), Ruben Navarro (24), Abel Osuna (22), Hunter Rogers (7), and Andrew Workman (2); juniors Jesus Canez-Quezada (81), Kolttin Deskins (28), Steven Deskins (5), Kenton Faught (51), Abraham Figueroa (44), Ty Herrera (77), Tyson Kilpatrick (11), Rene Lorta (21), Gage Murray (65), Julian Ramos (84), Jason Santo (13), Jake Scouten (40), Wayne Stark (1), and Johnny Villegas (3); sophomores Kayden Arnold (88), Cohen Barney (12), Logan Beeler (75), Aiden Cargile (80), Bryon Judd (6), Tatum Kilpatrick (87), Rudy Miranda (60), Rex Reynolds (54), Mason Stanley (63), Broden Tedford (32), and Gaige Trejo (26); and freshmen Jacob Lopshire (55), Elijah Martinez (43), Kian Montijo (36), and Jacob Walker (52).

Benson competed in the 4-member 2A South 2 Region with the Eloy Santa Cruz Dust Devils, the Tucson Desert Christian Eagles, and the Willcox Cowboys.

WILLCOX Cowboys (11.1884 rating)

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Keston Armstrong (2) fields a kickoff only to be brought down by Scottsdale Christian junior Danny Beran (33) and senior Trey Houglum (58) after a short return.*

The Jeston Lotts-coached Cowboys (9-2 overall, 3-0 South 2 Region for first of four) averaged a score of 34-12 (371-135) per game or a 22-point margin for 11 games.

Willcox had wins over 2A South 1 Region Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (49-0, Aug. 22), 2A East Region Morenci (23-14, Sept. 5), 2A East Region Pima (7-0, Sept. 12), 2A South 1 Region Tombstone (49-0, Sept. 19), 2A Metro 2 Region Scottsdale Prep (48-14, Sept. 26), Tucson Desert Christian (58-0, Oct. 3), Eloy Santa Cruz (42-23, Oct. 10), and Benson (26-17, Oct. 17). The losses were to Metro 2 Region Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (0-19, Aug. 29), 2A South 1 Region Tucson Tanque Verde (14-42, Oct. 24), and No. 11 Glendale Trivium Prep (55-6, Nov. 7).

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Derick Lytle (9) has his ankle tapped by assistant coach Brendon Enriquez. The tapping was done prior to taking the field.*

The Cowboys have a 37-member roster with 15 seniors, six juniors, 15 sophomores, and one freshman. Seniors include Travis Allred (71), Nathan Avila (66), Cooper Burright (75), Jayden Callahan (18), Kody Caruso (42), Ismael Cuevas (13), Jesus Duran (9), Marco Fierro (77), Randy Hill (19), Wilder Lopez (8), Kevin Miranda (76), Austin Nuzzo (74), Joseph Sanchez (3), Vlad Semyanko (58), and Christian Teeters (73); juniors Alan Allred (50), Kaleb Cooke (6), Da’Marion Jackson (11), Anthony Morales (7), Eli Nelson (2), and Rhett Rogers (10); sophomores Marciano Chacon (48), Wyatt Cooke (56), Jacob Green (52), Robert Hill Jr. (5), Pete Kingman (61), Tyler Larson (31), Saul Medina (33), Nathan Moore (12), Omar Moreno (20), Christian Noland (44), Steele Romney (22), Nathaniel Tedla (35), Ruger Todd (34), Asher Ward (21), and Carl Wyatt (72); and freshmen Brenndon Douglas (79).

Willcox competed in the 4-member 2A South 2 Region with the Benson Bobcats, the Eloy Santa Cruz Dust Devils, and the Tucson Desert Christian Eagles.

MORENCI Wildcats (5.2989 rating)

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Junior Landon Olsen (54) grabs the Morenci sophomore Joseph Rodriguez’s (23) jersey as he blocks for teammate (21).*

The Frankie Gonzalez-coached Wildcats (7-4 overall, 2-2 East Region for third of five) have averaged a score of 24-17 (287-201) per game or a 7-point margin through 12 games.

Morenci defeated 3A South Region Safford (20-14, Aug. 22), 2A South 1 Region Bisbee (26-0, Sept. 12), Globe (43-15, Sept. 19), 2A South 2 Region Benson (20-14, Sept. 25), Miami (52-0, Oct. 3), 2A Metro 1 Region Arete Prep (34-21, Oct. 24), and No. 18 Tuba City (45-6, Oct. 31) plus fell to 2A South 1 Region Tucson Tanque Verde (16-24, Aug. 29), 2A South 2 Region Willcox (14-23, Sept. 5), Pima (6-13, Oct. 10), Saint Johns (12-21, Oct. 17), and No. 2 Scottsdale Christian (0-55, Nov. 7).

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Joseph Rodriguez (23) brings down Ben Watkins (20). The Scottsdale Christian freshman scored twice in the final 6:32.*

The Wildcats list a 37-member roster with 11 seniors, five juniors, 14 sophomores, and seven freshmen. Seniors include Julian Aragon (13), Zachary Biggs (66), Michael Chavez (50), Dean Chee (65), Isaiah Cook (77), Jaymz Guzzo (4), Derick Lytle (9), Andre McCauley (12), Richard Rodriguez (7), Anthony Rogers (11), and Kiano Torres (3); juniors Joel Baca (28), Mason Clark (17), Camron Dodson (55), Jesse Strickland (70), and Heston Winters (88); sophomores Jacob Bracamonte (21), Brennen Burkhead (5), Jeremya Cruz (8), James Davis (59), Eli Laney (1), David Licano (78), Braxton Merrill (18), Deegan Miller (10), Zane Randle (72), Joseph Rodriguez (23), Hunter Roumell (68), Joshwa Sandoval (52), and Loghan Szymanski (75); and freshmen Kyson Abril (6), Andres Aguilera (51), Daniel Gray (79), Bryden Herrera (74), Ceejay Madrid (60), Damian Paz (40), and Keston Armstrong (2).

Morenci competed in the 5-member 2A East Region with the Globe Tigers, the Miami Vandals, the Pima Roughriders, and the Saint Johns Redskins.

PIMA Roughriders (8.3872 rating)

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Sean Helgeson (4) sheds a pair of Morenci would-be tacklers en route to the end zone. The Scottsdale Christian senior scored twice in the third quarter, from 30 yards on 2nd-and-18 and from 38 yards on 1st-and-10.

The Josh Wilkins-coached Roughriders (7-5 overall, 3-1 2A East Region for second of five) averaged a score per game of 27-12 (320-138) or a 15-point margin through 12 games.

Pima had wins over 2A North 1 Region Tuba City (42-0, Aug. 29), Miami (55-0, Sept. 26), Globe (42-0, Oct. 3), Morenci (13-6, Oct. 10), 2A Metro 2 Region Phoenix Madison Highland (61-0, Oct. 17), 2A Metro 1 Region Chandler Prep (35-7, Oct. 24), and No. 23 Holbrook (47-6, Oct. 31). The losses were to 2A Metro 3 Region Scottsdale Christian (6-33, Aug. 21), 3A Mountain Region Eagar Round Valley (0-36, Sept. 5), 2A South 2 Region Willcox (0-7, Sept. 12), Saint Johns (12-16, Sept. 19), and No. 7 San Tan Charter (9-27, Nov. 7).

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Richard Rodriguez Jr. relies on assistant coach Josh Sandoval for his ankle taping. The Morenci senior was the starting tight end.*

The Roughriders listed a 36-member roster with eight seniors, 12 juniors, seven sophomores, and nine freshmen. Seniors include Rooster Alder (11), Keegan Corona (22), Brett Flowers (61), Bryan Kelly (72), Garth Lunt (71), Dante McCray (73), Wade Peterson (44), and Charles Richardson (74); juniors Adam Bryce (23), Gilbert Bryce (1), Josh Bryce (55), Rhiley Good (60), Cedric Grimes (2), Jonathan Guerrero (52), Hollen Hoopes (78), Colt Lunt (45), Emmet McBiles (3), Case Mullenaux (66), Joe Palmer (42), and Hayden Wilkins (20); sophomores Roddy Allred (50), JoJo Bryce (62), Kaden Davis (8), Keegan Espinoza (7), Jax Haws (75), Ryett McBiles (10), and Mason Skinner (5); and freshmen Tucker Bryce (58), Jace Cameron (64), MacIan Duncan (16), Wyatt Elms (18), Ethan Lunt (81), Graham McBride (12), Landon Miner (25), Tanner Preston (65), and Brady McWhorter (85).

Pima competed in the 5-member 2A East Region with the Globe Tigers, the Morenci Wildcats, the Miami Vandals, and the Saint Johns Redskins.

2A State Rankings

The final seedings for the Top 24 of 51 2A teams, released on Oct. 25, were Phoenix Veritas Prep (10-0 overall, 19.7236 rating) No. 1, Scottsdale Christian (9-1, 16.9209) No. 2, Phoenix Christian (8-2, 15.3333) No. 3, Saint Johns (9-1, 15.2831) No. 4, Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (9-1, 13.2259) No. 5, Willcox (8-2, 11.1884) No. 6, Gilbert San Tan Charter (8-2, 10.2541) No. 7, and Camp Verde (7-3, 9.1713) No. 8.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Players from both teams line up to acknowledge the sportsmanship ritual following the game’s conclusion. Morenci seniors Jaymz Guzzo (4) and Isaiah Cook (77) did it a final time.

Tucson Tanque Verde (8-2, 9.0806) was No. 9, Pima (6-4, 8.3872) No. 10, Glendale Trivium Prep (7-3, 7.5515) No. 11, Parker (7-2, 6.9454) No. 12, Chandler Prep (7-3, 5.9088) No. 13, Benson (6-4, 5.5877) No. 14, Morenci (6-4, 5.2989) No. 15, and Glendale Prep (7-3, 4.6366) No. 16.

Eloy Santa Cruz (5-5, 2.6443) was No. 17, Tuba City (7-3, 0.9144) No. 18, Globe (6-4, 0.6746) No. 19, Whiteriver Alchesay (7-3, 0.4518) No. 20, Scottsdale Prep (4-5, 0.3591) No. 21, Wittmann Mountainside (6-4, 0.3062) No. 22, Holbrook (6-4, minus 0.0507) No. 23, and Tonopah Valley (4-6, minus 2.1343) No. 24.

2A Class Crossover Region Pairings

The 2A Class crossover region pairings on Oct. 23-24 resulted in wins of 18-9 for the home teams, with the host Metro 4 Region sixth seed Surprise Highland Prep (2-7) versus Metro 5 Region sixth seed California Winterhaven San Pasqual (2-7) not played.

The host Metro 4 Region went 5-0 the Metro 5 Region, the host East Region went 4-1 over the Metro 1 Region, the visiting South 2 Region went 3-2 over the South 1 Region, the host North 2 Region went 3-2 over the North 1 Region, and the host Metro 2 Region tied the Metro 3 Region 3-3.

Metro 4 Region fifth seed Fort Mohave Desert Star (2-7 overall) defeated Metro 5 Region fifth seed Laveen Heritage (4-5) 21-16 on Oct. 23; and Metro 4 Region top seed Phoenix Veritas Prep (9-0) defeated Metro 5 Region top seed Glendale Prep (7-2) 45-13, Metro 4 Region second seed Phoenix Christian (7-2) blanked Metro 5 Region second seed Tonopah Valley (4-5) 35-0, Metro 4 Region third seed Glendale Trivium Prep (6-3) defeated Metro 5 Region third seed Wellton Antelope (4-5) 38-13, Metro 4 Region fourth seed Wittmann Mountainside (5-4) defeated Metro 5 Region fourth seed Avondale Highland Prep West (4-5) 36-14 on Oct. 24.

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Morenci players raise their helmets a final time before heading to the change room.*

The Metro 1 Region fifth seed Florence American Leadership – Anthem South (2-7) defeated East Region fifth seed Miami (2-7) 20-6 on Oct. 23; and East Region top seed Saint Johns (8-1) defeated Metro 1 Region Gilbert San Tan Charter (8-1) 28-27 in overtime, East Region second seed Pima (5-4) defeated Metro 1 Region second seed Chandler Prep (5-4) 35-7, East Region third seed Morenci (5-4) defeated Metro 1 Region third seed Glendale Arete Prep (3-6) 34-21, and East Region fourth seed Globe (5-4) defeated Metro 1 Region Chandler Lincoln Prep (3-6) 37-32 on Oct. 24.

Independent Avondale Saint John Paul II Catholic (0-9) defeated South 1 Region fifth seed Santa Rita (0-9) 57-6 on Oct. 23; and South 1 Region top seed Tucson Tanque Verde (7-2) defeated South 2 Region top seed Willcox (8-1) 42-14, South 1 Region fourth seed Tombstone (1-7) defeated South 2 Region fourth seed Desert Christian (3-5)14-13, South 2 Region second seed Benson (5-4) defeated South 1 Region second seed Palo Verde Magnet (6-3) 56-6, and South 2 Region third seed Santa Cruz (4-5) defeated South 1 Region third seed Bisbee (3-6) 49-18 on Oct. 24.

Metro 3 Region fifth seed Phoenix Bourgade Catholic (5-4) defeated Metro 2 Region fifth seed Phoenix NFL Yet (0-8) 48-6 on Oct. 23; and Metro 2 Region top seed Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (8-1) defeated Metro 3 Region top seed Scottsdale Christian (9-0) 35-21, Metro 2 Region second seed Parker (6-2) defeated Metro 3 Region second seed Camp Verde (7-2) 49-41, Metro 2 Region third seed Scottsdale Prep (4-5) defeated Metro 3 Region third seed Phoenix Cortez (3-6) 55-6, and Metro 3 Region fourth seed Fountain Hills (3-6) shutout Metro 2 Region fourth seed Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (1-6) 41-0 on Oct. 24.

North 1 Region third seed Teec Nos Pos Red Mesa (4-5) doubled up on North 2 Region third seed Sanders Valley (4-5) 44-22, North 2 Region fourth seed Keams Canyon Hopi (3-6) defeated North 1 Region fourth seed Many Farms (1-8) 27-20, and Metro 3 Region fifth seed Chino Valley (4-5) shutout North 2 Region fifth seed Tuba City Greyhills (0-8) 77-0 on Oct. 23; and North 2 Region top seed Tuba City (6-3) slipped past North 1 Region top seed Holbrook (6-3) 20-18, North 2 Region second seed Whiteriver Alchesay (6-3) defeated North 1 Region second seed Pinon (6-3) 54-16 on Oct. 24.

Independent San Carlos (5-3) defeated independent Tucson Catalina (3-5) 50-6, and independent Kingman Academy (2-7) blanked independent Scottsdale Coronado (0-8) 46-0 on Oct. 24.

No. 2 Scottsdale Christian – 55, No. 15 Morenci – 0

Morenci received the opening kick, gained 14 of 73 yards and a first down before punting on 4th-and-12. The Wildcats’ Scottsdale Christian 10 possessions ended in five more punts, an interception, three fumbles, and running out of time. Their longest drive, 83 yards, fell two yards short as time ran out before a snap was made.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Six offensive linemen, from left, senior tight end Richard Rodriguez Jr. (7), senior tackle Isaiah Cook (77), sophomore guard James Davis (59), senior center Michael Chavez (50), senior guard Dean Chee (65), and senior tackle Zachary Biggs (66) provided protection and blocks for the Wildcats to amass 3,917 yards. The averages were 16.9 (48-809) yards on 48-106 passes with six interceptions and 6.9 (450-3,109) yards rushing. Touchdowns scored totaled 38, five passing and 33 rushing.

Scottsdale Christian was held to a yard on its initial run, but drove 62 more yards in three plays to score the first of eight touchdowns. The conversion kick gave the host Eagles a 7-point advantage.

The Eagles scored on seven more possessions, punted after gaining eight yards, took a knee with eight seconds left in the first half, and turned the ball over on downs once.

For the evening, Morenci netted 181 offensive yards, averaging 6.7 (21-140) yards rushing and 10.3 (4-41) yards on 4-9 completions with one interception compared to 419 total yards, with averages of 9.7 (27-263) yards rushing and 31.2 (5-156) yards on 5-6 completions and no interceptions by Scottsdale Christian. The Eagles score eight touchdowns, seven rushing and one passing.

The Wildcats turned in equipment as the Eagles prepared for the quarterfinals.