A few weeks ago, after a tough 42-17 loss to Chandler Basha, Brophy coach Jason Jewell was surprisingly upbeat and optimistic. While the team under Jewell has been searching for a big win against a top-ranked team, Jewell was focused on what could still be achieved.
“We still have our goals in front of us,” Jewell said back on Oct. 23.
Advertisement
One of those goals was to win the 6A Central region. And the Broncos did just that.
The Broncos dominated visiting Gilbert Higley 47-29 on Nov. 6, improving to 7-3 on the season and winning the 6A Central region.
Brophy entered the game No. 8 in the AIA/MaxPreps 6A rankings, a spot that would get them into the 12-team Open Division playoff bracket. Higley was No. 11. The AIA will announce the Open bracket Nov. 7.
Brophy Prep running back Scout Kinkel (26) rushes against Higley during a game at Central High School in Phoenix on Nov. 6, 2026.
“It’s not something we should be ashamed of when you lose to a team like Basha,” Jewell said, referring to one of his team’s three losses, all of which came to top-ranked 6A teams, the others being Chandler and Hamilton. Schedule strength is a big reason Brophy is ranked in the top 10.
Advertisement
“Do we want to lose? Heck no,” Jewell said. “We want to win. We still need to go, overcome and beat one of those teams if we really want to accomplish the goals that we set out for. But it’s not hard to stay positive and motivate these kids. That’s why (Brophy president) Bob Ryan hired me.”
It’s the second straight season Brophy has won the 6A Central region, something the Broncos haven’t done in 12 years.
Brophy came out of the gates hot Friday, with senior athlete Ryder Noche – who had a huge evening – taking the opening kickoff back 97 yards for a touchdown to quickly go up 7-0.
“I saw Julian Ferrari put his hand up and I had to go hit the crease and follow him,” Noche said. “It set the tone for the game.”
Advertisement
Higley responded with a field goal on its next drive to cut the lead to 7-3. After forcing a punt from Brophy on the ensuing drive and then getting backed up to its own 12, Higley marched down the field in six plays to take the lead 10-7 on a 12-yard pass from quarterback Anthony Palka to wide receiver Allan Turner with 3:34 remaining in the first quarter.
Brophy tied the game at 10 on a long 45-yard field goal from Jack Carson early in the second.
Then Noche came up big again, recording an interception on defense. That led to another scoring drive from Brophy, with quarterback Noah Stewart connecting with wide receiver Donovan McNabb Jr. on a 27-yard touchdown-tipped pass to go up 17-10 with 2:02 left in the second.
Brophy got the ball back with 1:24 remaining in the first half after a Higley punt, needing to travel 56 yards. That was all the time Brophy needed. Stewart hit wide receiver/tight end John Chrostowski on a short pass, with Chrostowski doing the rest of the work for a 39-yard score with only 10 seconds left to make it 24-10 heading into halftime.
Advertisement
Noche added to his big night on the first drive of the second half, scoring a 37-yard touchdown catch on a great throw from Stewart to extend the lead to 31-10 midway through the third quarter.
Higley had the chance to make it a one-score game after Jordyn Harris returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown to make it 31-16. But Brophy’s special teams came up with a big response of their own on the next drive, getting a safety on a punt to go up 33-16 late in the third.
Brophy added one more touchdown in the third on a ridiculous 53-yard catch from wide receiver Karter Chamblin, who is a freshman, to make it 40-16 at the end of the third.
Brophy Prep wide receiver Karter Chamblin (80) breaks a tackle against Higley defensive back Ethan Adair (25) during a game at Central High School in Phoenix on Nov. 6, 2026.
Noche capped off his monster game with a 25-yard touchdown run to make it 47-23 with 5:08 left to play.
Advertisement
“When you got a player like Ryder that is dynamic as he is – I don’t know that there’s another player in 6A, I could be wrong, that does what he does on offense, defense and special teams,” Jewell said. “I don’t know if he’ll get talked about in the player of the year, but he deserves to be talked about.”
Noche said the team needs to keep its momentum heading into the postseason.
“We’re in a good spot,” Noche said. “We’re not going to be complacent, though. Being in the Open is not easy. Only 12 teams make it. We’re excited and we’re optimistic.”
The loss ended an eight-game win streak for Higley (8-2), which still could make the Open cut.
Advertisement
“I don’t know which we’re going to be in at this point,” Higley coach Eddy Zubey said. “Whichever one we get in, we want to go win. It’s a learning lesson for us.”
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Brophy dominates Higley to repeat as 6A Central region champs
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
