The first round of the Division I playoffs went off without a hitch. No upsets. That's typically been the case in recent years.

The usual suspects are still hanging in the quarterfinals set for Friday (Nov. 14). In fact, the only change from last year's elite eight is Skyline. Hamilton, Desert Ridge, Brophy, Mountain Pointe, Pinnacle, Basha and Chandler were present this time last year.

The way the quarterfinal matchups panned out, there's a possibility of an identical final four (teams not matchups)  from a year ago. Here's a look at each pairing:

#9 Skyline at #1 Hamilton: Skyline added to its best season in its 16-year history with its second postseason triumph ever, on the road at Boulder Creek. Skyline's success is via the ground game with 1,000-yard rushers Dylon Gillette and Amarii Keyes. Skyline has faced one team in the quarterfinal field this year -- Desert Ridge. They Coyotes lost 31-14 with Gillette and Keyes limited to 113 yards between them. Hamilton will be an ultimate test, much like last year's first-round opponent Chandler. Hamilton hasn't lost a quarterfinal game since 2000 and only two in 16 playoff appearances .The blip on Hamilton's radar this season is a 56-24 pasting by Chandler on Oct. 2. Their schedule lightened some after a tough first half. The Huskies have taken no prisoners in five consecutive wins since, averaging just a tick under 50 point a game. Hamilton is backfield by committee and has two primary targets in the passing game -- Brandon Krcilek and Kyeler Burke. They've combined for more than 100 receptions.

#5 Desert Ridge (10-1) at #4 Brophy Prep (9-3): This is a rematch from midseason, part of Brophy's resurrection and current eight-game winning streak. It's also a rematch from last year's quarterfinal matchup won handily by Desert Ridge. It features Desert Ridge's potent ground game paced by Taren Morrison and Justin Irby against the prolific passing attack of Brophy. Morrison and Irby combined for 360 yards rushing in the loss to Brophy in late September. Brophy quarterback Cade Knox returned last week from a two-game hiatus with a hand injury to throw for 300 yard in a 45-0 victory over Perry. Wide out Isaiah Oliver has turned in a tantalizing, big-play senior campaign with 44 receptions for 1,205 yards and 11 TDs. In the earlier win over Desert Ridge, Knox threw for 325 yards (186 yards going to Oilver) and rushed for 100 more. Desert Ridge has been susceptible to the pass this season, but showed signs of improvement in last week's playoff win over pass-happy Horizon. Desert Ridge limited Horizon to 17 points and got three TDs from Morrison and a game-clinching TD run from Irby.

#6 Mountain Pointe (9-2) at Pinnacle (10-1): Defending champion Mountain Pointe has been wobbly in big games this season, losing to Hamilton and Brophy (certainly no crime). Don't forget, however, it did hang on late to deal Chandler its lone defeat. The Pride has not been as staunch on defense as last year and the passing game has not come close to balancing the offense. Mountain Pointe's rushing game hasn't been at full tilt often this year with Paul Lucas nursing leg issues and leading rusher Brandyn Leonard idle the last two games and questionable at best to return this season due to illness. Lucas came through in a big way last week with 291 yards rushing as the Pride outlasted Westview. Mountain Pointe's best chance to prevail may rest in ball control vs. Pinnacle's defense, which hasn't been staunch at times. Pinnacle's offense isn't a worry led by quarterback Brian Lewerke. Lewerke has amassed more than 3,000 yards of offense and is a threat running the option or scrambling -- and of course with his arm. The Pioneers are essentially 50-50 in rushing yards vs. passing yards for the season. Receivers Cules Rose and Adam Turner have 25 receiving TDs between them and running back Nick Ferrara is the rushing leader with Lewerke not far behind.

#7 Basha (7-4) at #2 Chandler (10-1): Chandler showed no signs of slowing on its road to an elusive state-title-game appearance, routing Red Mountain 55-14, last week. Basha edged Sandra Day O'Connor, 38-34, to advance. Chandler hasn't been kind to Basha recently, winning the last four meetings after a loss the first time the teams met in 2011. Chandler beat Basha in the quarters last year 49-21 and topped the Bears three weeks ago, 55-10. Basha hopes having quarterback Ryan Kelley for four quarters can make a difference this time, but it's a tall order. Kelley managed a little more than a quarter of action in the last meeting, exiting with bruised hip. Kelley, a sophomore, has been outstanding, passing for 3,003 yards and 30 TDs. Noone has been able to ratchet down Chandler's offense led by quarterback Bryce Perkins. Perkins has thrown for 2,700 yards, 42 TDs with just five picks. Perkins often targets six or seven players with the top threats Justin Jan, N'Keal Harry and Chase Lucas.Lucas often contributes big plays on the ground.  

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