That .863 number in a graphic accompanying this Insider is pretty steep.

It’s the home-field winning percentage of football teams that are hosting first-round playoff games tonight in the four branches of the 4A and 5A conferences.

It’s not that surprising a figure, considering how good the top eight teams in each of those four brackets are. Hosting a playoff game means you must be good, and that means you’re even better at home so far this season.

Phoenix Desert Vista coach Dan Hinds noted that stats can be turned and twisted — subjectified to fit theories, which is why he doesn’t care much about them.

But even Hinds — whose Thunder won two road games and a neutral site tilt during last year’s run to the state championship game — acknowledged that stat reinforces how big an advantage it will be for the home teams tonight.

Athletes and coaches are sticklers for pregame routines. That, combined with easy logistics and better crowds were the biggest reasons why teams spent three months jockeying for tonight’s eight pole positions.

“You have to set the meals up, make sure kids eat well, and it becomes a field trip,” said Paradise Valley coach Donnie Yantis, whose Trojans will play two home games if they advance. “All we’re worried about Friday is coaching.

“Sometimes they can lose focus on what they’re going to do during bus rides — that it’s (about) going to play a game and not sightsee or eat buffets at Golden Corral.”

Ambience is the other big ally. Larger stadiums such as Phoenix College (which houses Phoenix Brophy), Chandler and Desert Vista create more likelihood they’ll be filled to the brim for playoff games, and filled by fans who are rooting for you.

“At home or on the road, you’re almost guaranteed a full house. It’s an electric atmosphere,” Broncos coach Scooter Molander said. “It’s not the case during the regular season. There’s a lot of other important things going on around school. With playoffs, you can expect a full house.”

The odds are long for the likes of Tucson High (at Mesa Mountain View), Mesa (at Tucson Salpointe) and Mesa Red Mountain (at Glendale Mountain Ridge). Yuma Kofa has to play at Peoria Centennial. Mesa Skyline is at Avondale La Joya.

The worst case might be Lake Havasu, which has a four-hour ride to Scottsdale Saguaro. They’re probably going to get whooped. Then it’s four hours back on the bus home.

It’s the price teams pay for falling outside of the favorite eight.

“Being comfortable at home and not worrying about situations, water, the condition of the field,” said Tempe Marcos de Niza coach Roy Lopez in explaining the advantages of home sweet turf. “There’s a lot that goes into it. Good football teams win on the road and eventually everyone has to travel.”

But the longer they can hold off that eventuality, the better chance they have.

Quarterfinal rematch

With all this talk of opening-round playoffs, it’s easy to forget the 2A quarterfinals are tonight. Scottsdale Christian is in for a showdown with its vaunted running game against No. 1 seed Phoenix Christian, which is a perfect 11-0 this season under new coach Bob Denson. Across the bracket, Chandler Valley Christian has a reunion with Phoenix Northwest Christian — this time at home. The Trojans’ 450 yards rushing and four forced turnovers were more than enough to knock off the previously unbeaten Crusaders on the road in late October.

Padres have open path

Don’t tell Roy Lopez, but things look swell for Tempe Marcos de Niza. The Padres won the region by beating Mesa Desert Ridge last week, which means they got the No. 3 seed (while Desert Ridge has to play Phoenix Pinnacle and then probably No. 1 Peoria Centennial next week). If Marcos gets past Glendale Deer Valley (not a given), its second-round matchup of either Avondale La Joya or Mesa Skyline might be easier than the first round. If the Padres slip into the semifinals for a second time in three seasons, odds are No. 2 Avondale Westview will be waiting. That would make for an interesting rematch after the Padres’ 36-34 loss in last year’s playoffs.

Thunder, Broncos Could Meet Again

It looks like there’s a 2007 state championship re-enactment brewing. Two of the hottest teams lately are No. 4 Phoenix Desert Vista and No. 5 Phoenix Brophy. The Broncos have won six consecutive games while the Thunder have won five straight. They’re two teams savaged by injuries and young personnel in key spots, unsure of what they were all about until mid-October. Trouble is, if both teams win tonight they’ll face each other next week at Desert Vista, not at University of Phoenix Stadium.

All-Trib watch:  Valley Christian quarterback Jordan Morgan was 12 of 21 for 161 yards and two touchdowns, and he intercepted three passes on defense in a playoff victory over Winkelman Hayden.