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There are intriguing matchups across Arizona this week, as high school football season starts to heat up. The Arizona Republic breaks down its top 10 games in Week 4. All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted.
1. Phoenix Brophy Prep (2-0) at Peoria Centennial (0-2), Friday
Is this a make-or-break game to get into the Open already for Centennial? Not quite sure, but after losses to Hamilton and Highland, the margin for error becomes minuscule. Brophy is really good and realizes the time to seize an Open spot is now, while Centennial is still not at full strength. The Coyotes are going up against a tough offense that has two talented and different-style quarterbacks in Rylan Humphrey and Case Vanden Bosch, plus big-play receivers in juniors Devin Fitzgerald and Daylen Sharper.
2. Gilbert Higley (2-0) at Marana (2-0), Friday
Marana is no joke, especially when wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck gets going. His little brother, Sean, a sophomore, is an elusive receiver, as well. This won’t be easy for a Higley team that might be talented and deep enough to make an Open Division playoff run out of 5A. The winner could have an inside track out of 5A to make the Open eight.
3. Queen Creek (2-0) at Gilbert Perry (2-0), Friday
If you want to see future Power 4 college quarterbacks, this is the place. Queen Creek’s Tait Reynolds is The Republic’s No. 1 prospect in the state in the 2026 class. Perry’s Kael Snyder, a sophomore, in two games already has shown he’s got that “it” factor that could put him in the same stratosphere as former Perry QB Brock Purdy before he’s done.
More: The Arizona Republic’s HS football rankings through Week 3: Vote for No.1 team
4. Mesa Mountain View (2-0) at Peoria Liberty (2-0), Friday
Andy Litten, who led Horizon to a state title in his first year there in 2021, has Mountain View thinking big this season. But Liberty has a way of causing ambitious teams to pump the breaks. The Lions, defending Open state champions, shut out Goodyear Desert Edge and Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor to start the season. Another shutout might be tough against the Toros, led by linebacker/running back Beckham Barney. Mountain View is averaging nearly 50 points after two games.
5. ALA Gilbert North (2-0) at ALA Queen Creek (2-0), Thursday
This is a rivalry within the American Leadership Academy family of schools. Ty Detmer, who led ALA Queen Creek to three straight Open Division playoff trips, now leads ALA Gilbert North (5A), which can make an Open statement with what would be an upset of the Patriots. ALA QC (6A) is again led by its first coach, Rich Edwards. He was head coach when the Patriots won two state titles back in 3A. How big of a gap is there between these top two ALA programs?
6. Glendale Raymond S Kellis (2-0) at Scottsdale Horizon (2-0), Friday
It’s one thing for 5A Kellis to beat a good 4A team like last week’s 28-7 victory over Peoria. But can they do that to a good 5A team? The Cougars will find out at Horizon, which has been dominant in its first two games under new coach Tyson Ditmore. Kellis will need a monster game from running back/linebacker Tristan Bacon to hang with Horizon.
7. ALA West Foothills (3-0) at Peoria (1-1), Friday
ALA West Foothills (3A) has had two weeks to get ready for this solid 4A team led by running back Javon Bell. Foothills wasn’t thrilled last week when Mohave forfeited its game due to 18 players being ill and others injured. This is a chance for ALA West Foothills to assert itself as the team to beat in 3A.
8. Thatcher (3-0) at Eagar Round Valley (1-1), Friday
Flooding inside the Round Valley dome put a damper on last week’s celebration ceremony naming the facility after late coach Tot Workman. The Elks ended up playing outside. Round Valley will try to play inside the dome this Friday against a team that has a shot at winning the 3A title. Thatcher plays maybe the hardest small-school schedule in the state. Next week, the Eagles play host to Yuma Catholic, a top-five-ranked 4A team.
9. Tucson Mica Mountain (2-0) at Tucson Sabino (2-1), Friday
Defending 3A champion Sabino lost by a point two weeks ago to 4A Tucson Sahuaro. Here’s an even better 4A team for a young Sabino team to take on. Under coach Pat Nugent, Mica Mountain is ranked No. 2 in 4A and is coming off a 42-0 win over Gilbert Mesquite.
10. Tonopah Valley (3-0) at Scottsdale Christian (1-1), Friday
Defending 2A champion Scottsdale Christian has already had a bye week. The Eagles needed that extra time to get ready for one of the best passing offenses in 2A. Sir-Izzik Sanchez Caldwell, who made the move from receiver to quarterback, already has amassed 1,073 yards and 12 TDs passing and 373 yards and seven TDs rushing in three games.
More: The Arizona Republic’s top high school football players of Week 3; Vote for No. 1
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. He also covers Grand Canyon University athletics and the Arizona Rattlers. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
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Publish date : 2024-09-10 01:02:00
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