BJ's 3A Preseason Rankings

Seton Catholic

Rank: 1

Ceiling: 10-0

Floor: 8-2

‘24 record: 8-3, lost in 4A Round of 16

Off. Returning Production: 23.9%

Def. Returning Production: 31.3%

The Sentinels had a phenomenal 4A season last year and many folks at the 3A level are not necessarily pleased that they won their appeal down to 3A. Seton Catholic went 8-3 last season with their only losses coming to 5A #5 Ironwood Ridge (by 8), 4A #3 Snowflake, and 4A #7 Arcadia (by 4). The only game they played against 3A competition was a 40-14 beating on a solid Valley Christian team.

That being said, the Sentinels do graduate a lot of talent from last year’s team. However, ‘28 RB Coree Edwards will likely have a big year after rushing for 408 yards and 5 TDs as a freshman in 4A last season. ‘26 LB/WR Sloan Sweet might be my front runner for 3A Defensive Player of the Year after he recorded 131 tackles, 6 TFLs, 7 interceptions, and 6 PBUs as a junior in ‘24.

With those two stars and a new supporting cast, the Sentinels should be at the top of everyone’s 3A rankings.

They start the season at the Round Valley Dome on Friday before hosting San Tan Charter, Ben Franklin, and Valley Christian in the first 7 games, so we are going to see what this team is made of rather quickly.

Ben Franklin

Rank: 2

Ceiling: 10-0

Floor: 6-4

‘24 record: 11-2, lost in semifinals

Off. Returning Production: 56.1%

Def. Returning Production: 27.9%

The Chargers graduated a lot of production from last season, especially on the defensive side of the ball, but they have a good amount of returning talent as well. 

‘26 OL Ammon Alexander is probably the best offensive lineman in all of 3A, ‘27 QB Gavin Wyler threw for over 2,000 yards, 28 TDs, and just 10 interceptions as a sophomore, ‘26 WR/DB Talan Speir led the team with 22 catches for 746 yards and 7 TDs, and ‘26 DB/WR Ty Sather was second on the team with 67 total tackles and led the team with 4 interceptions last season.

Ben Franklin’s push for a 3A title is going to be tough. It includes home games against Thatcher, Valley Christian, and ALA Ironwood as well as road games against River Valley, Seton Catholic, and Pusch Ridge. 7 out of 10 teams on their schedule made the playoffs last season and Crismon and Valley Christian finished just two and three spots out of the playoffs, respectively. 

Despite that, I do think this team will come out of that schedule with 9 or 10 regular season wins.

Pusch Ridge

Rank: 3

Ceiling: 10-0

Floor: 8-2

‘24 record: 13-1, won state title

Off. Returning Production: 23.2%

Def. Returning Production: 31.0%

The defending state champs graduate a lot from last year’s team, but they still have some dudes and still will be in the conversation to repeat as 3A state champs.

‘26 WR/DBs Nate Campa and Dominic Painter will be the cornerstone of this offense after combining for 1,183 receiving yards and 15 TDs as juniors last season. Defensively, ‘26 DL/OL Aaron Kenworthy and ‘27 OLB/WR Levi Adcock were absolute monsters, combining for 142 tackles, 41 TFLs, 9 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 9 PBUs. 

The toughest challenges in the Lions’ title defense will be road games at ALA Ironwood and Thatcher as well as home games against Florence and Ben Franklin. The defending champs should win a minimum of 8 games and be firm in the state title conversation come November.

Thatcher

Rank: 4

Ceiling: 10-0

Floor: 8-2

‘24 record: 10-3, lost in semifinals

Off. Returning Production: 38.5%

Def. Returning Production: 27.9%

The Eagles have a lot to replace, but as one of the best rural programs in the state, they always reload. 

‘26 QB/DB Chad Johnson, who threw for 1,135 yards, 10 TDs, and just 1 interception while rushing for 323 yards and 4 TDs, hopes to really take command of the Thatcher offense this fall as they try to capture their first state title since moving up to 3A.

‘26 LB/RB Ryan Jones will also be a centerpiece of this team after recording 102 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 interception, and 6 PBUs as a junior last season.

#2 Ben Franklin and defending 3A champion Pusch Ridge will be the Eagles’ toughest games on the schedule, but ALA Ironwood, Florence, and Payson should pose some challenges for this team as well. With that being said, I’m expecting 8 or 9 wins out of this team this season.

Round Valley

Rank: 5

Ceiling: 9-1

Floor: 7-3

‘24 record: 8-4, lost in quarterfinals

Off. Returning Production: 55.8%

Def. Returning Production: 72.1%

The Elks have a lot of returning key players to be excited about. 

‘26 WR/DB Jeffrey Cochran, a finalist for BJ Media Small Ball Player of the Year, led the team with 20 receptions for 416 yards and 8 TDs while also leading the team with 7 PBUs and was second on the team with 82 tackles and 4 interceptions. 

‘27 QB Kage Finch came in halfway through the season and threw for 500 yards, 7 TDs, and just 1 interception while rushing for 241 yards and a 1 more TD in 5 games. 

‘27 RB/DB Brody Crick rushed for 821 yards and 10 TDs and caught 10 passes for 109 yards and 4 more TDs as a sophomore, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. 

‘26 LB/TE Lane Hill led the team with 88 total tackles and 7 TFLs last season. ‘26 DL/OL Cody Finch will also be a force, as he led the team with 6 sacks last season in addition to his 70 tackles and 6 TFLs.

The Elks open up with #1 Seton Catholic at the dome and then visit Florence and 2A #3 Pima in back-to-back weeks in a brutal start to the schedule. However, after that, I think Round Valley will likely win all 7 of their remaining games. My final record prediction for them is largely based on how many of those first 3 games they win, but I think we’ll see an 8 or 9 win season from the Elks.

Payson

Rank: 6

Ceiling: 9-1

Floor: 7-3

‘24 record: 8-3, lost in Round of 16

Off. Returning Production: 79.4%

Def. Returning Production: 85.6%

The Longhorns overachieved for such a young team last season and they’re only going to get better in 2025. Payson has one of the best returning production rates in all of 3A to go along with a team that was already the 9th seed in 3A playoffs last season.

‘26 WR Marco Gureque is the biggest returner on offense after leading the team with 46 receptions for 798 yards and 9 TDs as well as 3 rushing TDs last season as a junior. ‘26 LB/RB Jonny McAnerny led the team in rushing with 350 yards and 6 TDs and also led the team with 96 tackles and 12 TFLs as a junior last season.

‘27 DL/OL Brayden Lee also wreaked havoc on offenses last season with a team-leading 8 sacks, 65 tackles, and 5 TFLs. 

The first five games don’t pose a ton of challenges for the Longhorns but the back half of their schedule features #5 Round Valley, Blue Ridge, #4 Thatcher, #7 River Valley, and a tough Show Low team. If they can win 2 or 3 of those final 5 games, they should put themselves in position for a home playoff game and if they can win 4 or 5 of those games, they will likely be hosting 2 playoff games.

River Valley

Rank: 7

Ceiling: 9-1

Floor: 6-4

‘24 record: 9-2, lost in Round of 16

Off. Returning Production: 45.0%

Def. Returning Production: 66.3%

The Dust Devils did not finish last season as they hoped, dropping back to back games at Anderson Auto Group Field House against Mohave and again in the first round of playoffs to Round Valley after starting 8-0. 

But a lot of players from last year’s team that felt that pain and disappointment will be back to redeem themselves this season. 

Offensively, ‘26 QB Mickey Smith will lead the River Valley offense after throwing for 876 yards with a 17-4 TD-INT ratio. ‘27 RB/DB Aden Montgomery should also have a big season after rushing for 711 yards and 8 TDs as a sophomore last season.

Defensively, ‘26s Wyatt Maxwell, Brody Schutt, and Deacon Maish will be vital to the Dust Devils’ success after combining for 161 tackles, 35 TFLs, and 12 sacks as juniors last season.

River Valley will quickly find out how important home-field advantage is, as their four toughest games will all be at Anderson Auto Group Fieldhouse against Ben Franklin, Wickenburg, Seton Catholic, & 4A rival Mohave. It will be these 4 games that truly define the Dust Devils’ season.

Florence

Rank: 8

Ceiling: 8-2

Floor: 6-4

‘24 record: 10-2, lost in quarterfinals

Off. Returning Production: 28.3%

Def. Returning Production: 64.3%

The Gophers have a significant amount to replace on offense, but their defense should be even better than last season.

‘26 LB Zayden Cundiff, a finalist for 2024 BJ Media Small Ball Player of the Year, recorded 180 tackles, 10 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 interception, 4 PBUs, 2 fumble forces, 2 blocked kicks, and 5 fumble recoveries as a junior. ‘26 WR/DB Wyatt Stenson will also be a key returner for Florence after leading the team with 23 receptions for 496 yards and 6 TDs.

This year’s schedule is a very front-heavy schedule. In Weeks 2-5, the Gophers will host #4 Thatcher and Round Valley and will visit ALA Ironwood and #3 Pusch Ridge. After that cluster, I think Florence will probably win all of their remaining 5 games.

Valley Christian

Rank: 9

Ceiling: 8-2

Floor: 6-4

‘24 record: 4-6, missed playoffs

Off. Returning Production: 70.3%

Def. Returning Production: 65.1%

Valley Christian had a very young team last season and their youth showed when they went up against the best of the best. All 6 of the Trojans’ losses came against playoff teams and they also had wins over #9 Payson and 2A champion Scottsdale Christian.

‘28 TE/DE Caden Palmquest has been very impressive this offseason after playing significant snaps both ways as a freshman and ‘26 WR/DB Asher Hanzal should have a big season after leading the Trojans with 516 receiving yards and 9 TDs.

The Trojans’ schedule does ease up a little bit this season and I believe the 3A powerhouse program will begin to get back to the top where we’re used to them being.

Blue Ridge

Rank: 10

Ceiling: 8-2

Floor: 6-4

‘24 record: 7-4, lost in round of 16

Off. Returning Production: 86.4%

Def. Returning Production: 47.4%

The Yellowjackets got off to a 7-0 start before dropping their final three regular season games and their first round playoff game to conclude last season. However, the Yellowjackets have a lot to look forward to in 2025, with 86.4% of their offensive production returning and 47.4% of their defensive production returning.

The most important of those returners is ‘26 RB/LB Karlo Harris who led the team with 1,376 rushing yards and 10 TDs and also led the team with 105 tackles. Harris will be a strong candidate for 3A Player of the Year.

Looking ahead to their 2025 schedule, Blue Ridge’s toughest games will be at #9 Valley Christian and #6 Payson as well as hosting #5 Round Valley. If they can win 1 of these 3 games, they could put themselves in position for a home playoff game.

Wickenburg

Rank: 11

Ceiling: 10-0

Floor: 8-2

‘24 record: 7-4, lost in Round of 16

Off. Returning Production: 12.3%

Def. Returning Production: 36.1%

Wickenburg will need to rediscover its offensive identity under new HC Jay Nunez after graduating RB Nick Formica, who rushed for 1,866 yards and 20 TDs last season. Defensively, the Wranglers will have a little bit of continuity but will still have some key players to replace.

‘26 DE/TE Jesse Pittman declared residency in the backfield last season for the Wranglers, recording 81 tackles, 23 TFLs, 12 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles as a junior. He is going to be a very strong candidate for 3A Defensive Player of the Year. 

The Wranglers definitely have a lighter schedule than last season. Realistically, River Valley and ALA Ironwood are the only teams I see standing in their way of a perfect regular season. As for playoff seeding, their strength of schedule will likely hurt their seeding and they are going to have to be close to perfect to have a home game in the Round of 16. 

ALA Ironwood

Rank: 12

Ceiling: 5-5

Floor: 3-7

‘24 record: 9-3, lost in quarterfinals

Off. Returning Production: 0.4%

Def. Returning Production: 32.6%

The Warriors are going to have all new starters on offense and probably 7-8 new starters on defense as well as a new HC in Myron Blueford. The Warriors have a lot of juniors that have waited for their turn to shine, but the majority of their top defensive players have also graduated.

Their schedule also isn’t going to do them any favors. They open up at #4 Thatcher, then come home to host #3 Pusch Ridge and #8 Florence, then visit #10 Wickenburg. And then they have another brutal stretch to close the season with #2 Ben Franklin, #1 Seton Catholic, and #9 Valley Christian for a total of 6 games against preseason top 10 teams. Because of their strength of schedule, the Warriors can probably sneak into the playoffs with 3 or 4 wins.

Dysart

Rank: 13

Ceiling: 6-4

Floor: 4-6

‘24 record: 7-4, lost in Round of 16

Off. Returning Production: 38.1%

Def. Returning Production: 41.0%

The Demons took their rebuild to the next step last season, winning 7 straight games after an 0-2 start to punch their ticket to the 3A playoffs. The AIA rewarded them this year with a brutal strength of schedule. They have road games against #2 Ben Franklin, Sabino, #11 Wickenburg, and #1 Seton Catholic as well as home games against #9 Valley Christian and #7 River Valley. If the Demons can string together 1-2 wins out of these 6 games and win the remainder of their games, they should be comfortably in the playoffs for a second straight season.

Sabino

Rank: 14

Ceiling: 7-3

Floor: 5-5

‘24 record: 3-7, missed playoffs

Off. Returning Production: 68.9%

Def. Returning Production: 47.0%

‘28 QB Bodhi Sanford had an extremely tall task as the starting QB as a freshman last season and there were some big growing pains for the Sabercats. With Sanford having a year to grow and ‘26 RB/OLB Zachari Haley, who rushed for 987 yards and 12 TDs (2 rec) and had 2 interceptions and 20 PBUs on defense last season, the Sabercat offense should hit the ground running this season. 

The 2023 3A champs start off the season visiting #9 Valley Christian on Friday and also have a 3-game stretch of #3 Pusch Ridge, #8 Florence, and #4 Thatcher late in the season, but there are a lot of winnable games in between. Sabino should certainly finish at or above .500 and should be able to get back to the playoffs this season.

Page

Rank: 15 

Ceiling: 9-1

Floor: 7-3

‘24 record: 7-4, lost in Round of 16

Off. Returning Production: 55.1%

Def. Returning Production: 30.8%

‘26 QB Joseph Bennally is one of the best returning QBs in 3A after throwing for 2,549 yards and 33 TDs last season. If he can limit the turnovers, this team could be very dangerous.

The Sand Devils were the last team in the playoffs last season largely due to their strength of schedule, and I fear they may be in the same predicament this season. #6 Payson and #11 Wickenburg are my only preseason ranked teams on Page’s schedule. If they can split those two games and handle business in the other eight, they could end up with a much higher seed than 15. But if they lose both those games, it’s going to be a very nervous selection Saturday.

Crismon

Rank: 16

Ceiling: 5-5

Floor: 2-8

‘24 record: 5-5, missed playoffs

Off. Returning Production: 29.0%

Def. Returning Production: 53.2%

Contrary to Page, Crismon will have strength of schedule working in their favor. The Rattlers do not have any easy weeks. The Rattlers face #7 River Valley, 4A Eastmark, #3 Pusch Ridge, #10 Blue Ridge, #9 Valley Christian, #12 ALA Ironwood, #2 Ben Franklin, and #1 Seton Catholic in arguably the biggest gauntlet in 3A. A 3 or 4 win season might be enough to get the Rattlers into the postseason.

Final Thoughts

Biggest risers from end of last season: Valley Christian (+10 spots), Sabino (+8 spots), Round Valley (+5 spots), Payson (+5 spots)

Biggest sinkers from end of last season: ALA Ironwood (-4 spots), Gilbert Christian (fell out)

This is the first season where I will be tracking my percentage of correctly-picked top 16 3A teams.