If only we could play them again …

It’s a plea often heard when a team blows a chance to win a close game.

Sometimes, the game turns on an ill-fated play. Sometimes, it’s a turnover.

Sometimes, the clock just runs out.

Regardless, the loser always wants a shot at redemption.

This week’s playoff menu is fraught with second chances in every conference. Eleven games in the big-school quarterfinals or small-school semifinals tonight and Saturday are rematches of games played earlier this year or in last year’s playoffs.

Will revenge be served bitterly cold in any of these second-take, loser-go-home contests?

Or will it be a second helping of happiness for the original winners?

Our crack staff takes a look at the prior meetings and examines whether things will be different this time around.

If we’re right, we’ll crow about it. If we’re wrong, there’s always an excuse to absolve us of guilt.

No. 7 Chandler (8-3) at No. 2 Hamilton (10-1)

Time:  7 p.m.

Address:   3700 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler

Last meeting: One of Chandler’s best efforts in this series, which has been all Hamilton (10-0) to date. Hamilton won the turnover battle (3-1) and got too many short fields on kickoff returns to post a 41-26 victory. Hamilton scored two touchdowns off turnovers, the final one the game-clincher on Anthony Jones’ 77-yard interception return. Had Chandler scored on that possession and completed a two-point conversion, the game would have been tied with a couple of minutes left.

Why Hamilton will win: It’s hard to imagine Hamilton giving up 469 yards of offense again. Hamilton’s defense should be motivated for a better effort yet still must respect the bevy of skill-position threats the Wolves possess. Hamilton is averaging a tad better than 45 points a game over its last eight contests, so the offense has not slipped. Its defense responded with a first-round shutout last week of Phoenix North Canyon.

Why Chandler could win: Take away the turnover deficiency and improved special-teams plays (kick returns and extra points), and Chandler could have been on the doorstep of its first win in the series. Injuries opened the door last week for junior Cody McCleve to step up at tight end as a threat, and sophomore quarterback Brett Hundley looked like a seasoned veteran in the game-winning drive against Gilbert, so the Wolves have extra options or alternatives if Markus Wheaton, Taylor Walstad and Jamil Hines are less than 100 percent. Chandler must play its best defensive game, however, to finally nab that first win.

No. 11 Skyline (8-3) at No. 3 Marcos de Niza (10-1)

Time: 7 p.m.

Address:  6000 S. Lakeshore Drive, Tempe

Last meeting: Marcos de Niza jumped out to a 35-0 halftime lead and won 45-17. Running back Ramon Abreu carried the ball five times for 130 yards and three touchdowns. The Padres got sloppy in the second half and finished with well over 100 yards in penalties for the game — which didn’t please coach Roy Lopez — but they still won handily.

Why Marcos de Niza will win: The Padres are more athletic and have the defense to stop Mesa Skyline running backs Damari Lewis and Tommy Brown. Ramon Abreu ran all over Skyline last time and there’s no reason to think he can’t do it again. Furthermore, the Marcos de Niza passing game has really come along. It took new quarterback Zach Schira about half the season to get comfortable under center, but he has the offense running on all cylinders now.

Why Skyline could win: The Coyotes outscored Marcos 17-10 in the second half of the regular-season game, and that should give them confidence coming in. The offensive line can be physical enough to open up holes for Lewis and Brown, and the defense can stop the run. Skyline has to cause turnovers and limit mistakes because Marcos de Niza has the more talented team.

No. 9 Cactus (8-3) at No. 1 Saguaro (11-0)

Time:  7 p.m.

Address:  6250 N. 82nd St., Scottsdale

Last meeting: Saguaro cruised to a 33-7 win to cap a perfect regular season. Glendale Cactus did not score an offensive touchdown in the game, and elite running back Mike Brown was held to 67 yards rushing. Austin Swindle had 13 carries for 130 yards and a touchdown for the Sabercats.

Why Saguaro will win:  The Sabercats’ solid running game and aggressive defense are a lethal combination. Only one team — Paradise Valley — has come close to beating Saguaro this season, and the Sabercats showed in that one they can make plays when it counts. The team has too many weapons to be corralled. Quarterback Cole Rarrick has been very efficient, and he will make Glendale Cactus pay if it decides to sell out on the run.

Why Cactus could win: Did Lake Havasu find a chink in the armor of the Saguaro run defense? Brent Michaels ran for 136 yards and two touchdowns last week, and the game was tied at 14 early in the second quarter. Cactus must get Brown rolling to have a chance. The Cobras would love to knock off Saguaro after getting routed the past two regular-season finales, and they must use that motivation positively.

No. 7 Cienega (8-2) at No. 2 Chaparral (10-1)

Time: 7 p.m.

Address: 6935 E. Gold Dust Ave., Scottsdale

Last meeting: Chaparral beat Vail Cienega 23-20 on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Spencer Stone to Brandon Martin with 3.9 seconds left in the second game of the season. Cienega scored with 32 seconds remaining but couldn’t stop the Firebirds from reaching the end zone. Chaparral was beaten in many phases of the game, but the defense played very well in the red zone and the offense made enough big plays when needed.

Why Chaparral will win:  The Firebirds have a much sturdier running game now, which will wear down Cienega. The Chaparral defensive line will continue to stop the run and pressure the quarterback. The Firebirds are a much different team now, and while coach Charlie Ragle said the other game was played too long ago to make an impact, he will find weaknesses in Cienega and exploit them.

Why Cienega could win: Quarterback Seth Mejias-Brean will continue to take advantage of an average Chaparral secondary. Wide receiver Trent Simon had 10 catches for 201 yards and two touchdowns last week in a win over Apache Junction and should see the ball plenty. Mejias-Brean didn’t run the ball too much in the last meeting, but if Chaparral drops too many players into coverage, he will make them pay on the ground.

No. 9 Mingus (9-2) vs. No. 1 Notre Dame (11-0)

Time:  7 p.m.

Address:  Scottsdale Community College, 9000 E. Chaparral Road

Last meeting: When these teams squared off Dec. 7, 2007, they were the final two standing in 4A Division II. After 2 1/2 back-and-fourth quarters, Notre Dame took control with 21 unanswered points en route a 49-32 victory over Cottonwood Mingus that gave the Saints their first state championship.

Why notre dame will win:  Defense, defense, defense. Only one opponent has scored more than 14 points against the Saints this season (Phoenix Greenway, 17). Mingus is averaging 38.2 points per game but struggled against the only stout defense it has faced. The Marauders were limited to 14 points in a home loss to Queen Creek on Sept. 5.

Why Mingus could win: The Marauders know the Saints as well as any of Notre Dame’s region opponents. Tonight’s game marks the teams’ third straight meeting in the playoffs. Mingus coach Bob Young will work that familiarity into his game plan and hope quarterback Tony Vocca (2,290 yards of offense, 27 touchdowns) has at least one more big-game performance in him.

No. 8 Desert Ridge (8-3) at No. 1 Centennial (11-0)

Time:  7 p.m.

Address: 14388 N. 79th Ave., Peoria

Last meeting: Peoria Centennial beat Desert Ridge 34-7 in the season opener. John Hughes rushed for 149 yards on 18 carries in the contest, and Jaguars quarterback Kevin Pantastico threw a pair of interceptions and lost a fumble.

Why Centennial will win:  The Coyotes might be the best team in the state regardless of classification after knocking off Hamilton, Desert Vista and Avondale Westview in the regular season. The defense is outstanding, and Hughes is one of the most elusive running backs in the state.

Why Desert Ridge could win: The Jaguars have found some balance offensively late in the season but must keep the game close early. If they fall too far behind, the game plan goes out the window, and the Coyotes can defend the pass. Pantastico must throw the ball away or hit check-down receivers if the deep ball isn’t open. Chris Heldore and Chris Jamison will have to turn small gains into big plays, something they have been doing all season long.

No. 3 Valley Christian (9-2) vs. No. 2 St. Johns (12-0)

Time:  5 p.m. Saturday

Address:  1700 E. Union Hills Drive, Phoenix (North Canyon High School)

Last meeting: All-everything running back Shad Bride scored three touchdowns as St. Johns led 28-0 after three quarters in last year’s 2A state semifinals. The Trojans were unable to get their running game going against the Redskins and were ill-equipped in the passing game to stage a comeback, and Bride, the 2A Player of the Year, finished with 190 yards on 19 carries in a 28-8 victory.

Why St. John’s will win:  Like most of the team, Bride is back and better than ever. He’s rushed for 2,200 yards and more than 30 touchdowns this season, with a season opener of 107 yards the lowest total of the season. But the Redskins can throw a bit. Quarterback Steve Lindsey and receiver Kyle Hauser have connected for more than 700 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Redskins beat up defending 3A champion Show Low as well as Eagar Round Valley and still haven’t allowed 100 points for the season.

Why Valley Christian could win: Given how far the Trojans have come this year, a repeat of last year’s start to this game seems unlikely. The Trojans are on a roll through these playoffs so far on both sides of the ball and, equally important, are healthy. Playing at Phoenix North Canyon High School instead of the cold of St. Johns helps.

No. 10 Arcadia (7-4) at No. 2 Coronado (10-1)

Time: 7 p.m.

Address: 2501 N. 74th St., Scottsdale

Last meeting: Coronado’s defense limited Arcadia to fewer than 200 yards of total offense and took advantage of three turnovers in a 28-3 victory. The Dons led just 7-3 at halftime, but their running game took off in the second half, resulting in the lopsided win.

Why Coronado will win:  The Dons play smart, disciplined football and take advantage of opponents’ mistakes and miscues perhaps better than any other team in 4A-II. With the most explosive back in the conference (Kaylin Ashley, who missed the first meeting) and a strong supporting cast around him, Coronado’s running game is next to unstoppable.

Why Arcadia could win: The Titans are not only looking to avenge a loss from this season but defeats the past two years as well. Arcadia’s senior class is resolved not to lose four straight to its archrival. The Titans’ confidence is high after last week’s win at Gilbert Higley. If Arcadia can play a turnover-free game, it has a good chance to turn the tide in the series.

Other rematches

5A-II

No. 5 Tucson Sunnyside

at No. 4 Tucson Ironwood Ridge

4A-I

No. 5 Goodyear Millennium

at No. 4 Peoria

4A-II

No. 6 Tucson Santa Rita

at No. 3 Tucson Palo Verde