Mason & BJ's 3A Preseason Flag Rankings

This is the first season the AIA will have a 3A conference for flag football. Here are Mason & Brandon’s top 8-ranked teams before heading into the season.

Also note that first-year programs are not eligible to be ranked as we have no data or film on them. 

Scottsdale Christian 

Mason’s Rank: 1

BJ’s Rank: 1

Mason’s Ceiling: 12-0

BJ’s Ceiling: 12-0

Mason’s Floor: 11-1

BJ’s Floor: 11-1

‘24 Record 12-2, lost in the 4A Semifinals

Off. Returning Production: 90.4%

Def. Returning Production: 83%

Mason: If you want to use the catchphrase “run it back,” then you'd better use it on the Scottsdale Christian Eagles. The Eagles have now joined the 3A conference after being in the 4A one the year prior, and they should be making noise.

Scottsdale Christian’s team is made up of underclassmen who have provided a lot of production in the past and should continue to do so.

The star of the team is 2028 quarterback Campbell Reader. Reader can do it all once she sets foot on the grass. Last year, she threw for 23 touchdowns and had an impressive 66 percent completion percentage. Pair that with her 972 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns, Reader should be in store for a big year two. 

On the defensive side of the ball, they have 2026 defensive end Lily Schaefer. Schaefer had 13 sacks last season and was the main pass-rushing threat for the Eagles. Now entering her senior season, she will want to leave her legacy with a championship, and 2025 is a good year to do it for the Eagles. 

Even though they moved down in conferences and are returning a lot of players, nothing is guaranteed, and they have to treat it like such, as they face a few tough opponents in the regular season. 

Their toughest opponent will be Benjamin Franklin, who is also highly ranked on this list, as they also came from the 4A conference and are expected to have a great 2025 season as well. 

Scottsdale Christian is my favorite to win the inaugural 3A conference championship this year. They have the experience, talent, and coaching to do so; however, they have to take care of business.

BJ: Like Mason, Scottsdale Christian is my favorite to win it all. The Eagles went 5-0 against current 3A teams last season, winning by an average of 21 points. Yes, it’s a new season, but the Eagles also return 90% of their offense and 83% of their defense. 

Unless there is a first-year program that comes out on fire and shocks the conference this year, Scottsdale Christian will be the favorite, with Ben Franklin and Heritage Academy Laveen also being strong contenders.

Benjamin Franklin

Mason’s Rank: 2

BJ’s Rank: 3

Mason’s Ceiling: 12-0

BJ’s Ceiling: 11-1

Mason’s Floor: 10-2

BJ’s Floor: 8-4

‘24 record 14-4, lost in the 4A quarterfinals

Off. Returning Production: 60.6%

Def. Returning Production: 47%

Mason: The Benjamin Franklin Chargers will be one of the teams to beat in the 3A conference. During the 2024 season, the Chargers were in the 4A conference and dominated, making it to the quarterfinals. They now move down to 3A and will face teams that they should be able to stack wins against. 

They also have a few key players from their roster coming back from last season to the 2025 season. 

One key player returning is their 2027 quarterback, Adlee Trujillo. Trujillo got the full-time starting gig last season and put together a solid season. She had over 30 touchdown passes and also showcased her running abilities last year. While she did throw 23 interceptions, that number should go down as she now has more experience under her belt. 

They also have 2026 linebacker Emmalee Davis coming back to the team this year. Davis had the second-most flag pulls for the Chargers a season ago, and now comes into her final year of high school as one of the main leaders and staples of a great defense. 

Even though they had key players in 2024 who won’t be returning in 2025, the Chargers are led by head coach Jake Thomas, who always seems to get the most out of his roster. 

Their toughest opponents this season will be Scottsdale Christian and Eastmark. Both of these teams have track records of being very suitable to make deep pushes in the playoffs, so Benjamin Franklin will have a tough task, but it is not written out that they can have an undefeated regular season and win the 3A conference. 

I have Benjamin Franklin being a very real contender in 3A this season because of their previous success, as well as having underclassmen succeed early on in their careers. 

BJ: Ben Franklin graduated a good amount of seniors from last year’s team, but like Mason said they have a returning junior QB and a couple other key returners at other positions while also going down to a 3A conference that is going to have a lot of first-year programs.

However, their schedule provides some challenges. They’ll open up against Eastmark, who won 20 games in the first two AIA flag football seasons, as well as #1 Scottsdale Christian, Valley Christian, and an improving Leading Edge Academy - Gilbert.

Heritage Academy Laveen

Mason’s Rank: 3

BJ’s Rank: 2

Mason’s Ceiling: 12-0

BJ’s Ceiling: 12-0

Mason’s Floor: 10-2

BJ’s Floor: 11-1

‘24 record 11-2, lost in 4A quarterfinals

Mason: The Heritage Academy Laveen Heroes finish in the top 3 in my preseason rankings. The Heroes had a very great 2024 season, making it to the final eight teams in the 4A conference. 

With only three seniors graduating from last season, Heritage Academy Laveen will have a lot of the same players returning to the field this season. 

2027 quarterback Savano Soltero is returning to the field this season for the Heroes as she looks to take her team farther this year. 

The team is made up of a lot of two-sport athletes, showcasing their ability to do whatever they can and need to win games. Coming off an 11-win season, the Heroes will have a target on their back this season, something they will be able to handle.

Their toughest team they will face this year will be St. John Paul II. The rest of their schedule is filled with a lot of inaugural flag football teams. With the experience they have over the rest of their schedule, they should have a very dominant season.

Heritage Academy Laveen is one of my top 3 early favorites to win the 3A conference. While they have the chemistry and talent, it will be tough to get over the hump against teams like Scottsdale Christian and Benjamin Franklin, but they might just be able to. 

BJ: With only 3 seniors graduating from last year’s team and no Scottsdale Christian or Ben Franklin on their schedule, Heritage Academy Laveen is likely going to run the table in the regular season. 

The Heroes will have a tough game against St. John Paul II, but with so much continuity from last year’s team, I believe they will handle business.

Along with #1 Scottsdale Christian and (my) #3 Ben Franklin, the Heroes are firmly in the 3A title conversation.

St. John Paul II

Mason’s Rank: 4

BJ’s Rank: 4

Mason’s Ceiling: 11-2

BJ’s Ceiling: 13-0

Mason’s Floor: 8-5

BJ’s Floor: 11-2

24’ Record: 8-9, lost in round of 16 4A playoffs. 

Off. Production Returning: 90.2%

Def. Production Returning: 91.85%

Mason: The St. John Paul II Lions have one of the highest production rates returning this season. In 2024, they had a few seniors who contributed to their play, and the rest of the team is set to return for a big 2025 year. 

They had an okay 2024 season after going 8-9 and losing in the first round of the playoffs, but their team has more experience under their belt and will be facing a more friendly schedule this season. 

2028 quarterback for the Lions, Michelle Segoviano, will look to have a career year after her freshman campaign. She had 16 passing touchdowns as well as 478 rushing yards, showcasing her dual-threat ability. While she did have 15 interceptions, I expect that number to go down as she enters her sophomore year. 

Segoviano is also getting back her number one target in 2026, wide receiver Margaret Garverick. Garverick led the team last year with 621 receiving yards and 9 touchdown receptions. 

While there might be questions surrounding this team regarding consistency, one thing is sure: they have almost an identical team from last year. They are also in a lower conference this season, and it should be beneficial for the Lions. 

Their schedule is not an easy one by any chance; however, they have some guaranteed wins they should get. Their toughest opponent will be Heritage Academy Laveen late into the season. 

I don’t think for sure St. John Paul II will be a championship winner this season, but I do think they can give trouble to teams above them and get a lot of wins against other teams below them.

BJ: St. John Paul II has come a long way from the first season of AIA flag football. In year one in 2023, SJP2 had to compete in the 5A conference despite only having a 2A enrollment just because there were only enough teams for 2 conferences (5A and 6A). 

A program that only had about 12 players in year one was going against teams like Canyon View and Campo Verde and had a rough time. 

In 2024, the Lions showed big improvement in 4A, making the playoffs and finishing .500 in the regular season and getting to compete against more schools with similar enrollments but most schools still being bigger. 

Now in 2025, the Lions are still technically playing up in 3A, but the playing field is a lot more level and it is pretty much down to just small private schools and rural schools in the conference. And that level playing field will show when the Lions assert themselves as a top 5 team and a team that can make it to the 3A semifinals.

I’m not sure if the Lions will be able to take down the big dogs in the top 3, but they will definitely win a game or two in the playoffs this season and make a big statement this season.

Page

Mason’s Rank: 5

BJ’s Rank: 6

Mason’s Ceiling: 11-1

BJ’s Ceiling: 12-0

Mason’s Floor: 10-2

BJ’s Floor: 10-2

‘24 Record 9-4, missed playoffs.

Mason: The Page Sand Devils cracked the top 5 in my preseason rankings list after a solid 2024 campaign. 

Even though they did not make the playoffs last season, Page has proven to be a tough team to face. In the 4A last season, they made a statement, getting quality wins over teams like Monument Valley and Arcadia. 

They have to face teams like Flagstaff and Monument Valley, but I could see them winning almost every other game, including the tough ones. Page is a sleeper team that I think can be put on the 3A map in November. 

I think Page has a real shot at making a deep playoff push and making the teams ranked higher than them not want to play them, especially if they can keep the momentum going from last season.

BJ: The Sand Devils (my favorite mascot in AZ) were one spot out of the playoffs last season despite going 8-4. A lackluster strength of schedule really came back to bite them. Although their schedule is similar this year, I think a lot of the Sand Devils' opponents will rank much higher in 3A than they did in 4A last season and will significantly boost their playoff resumé.

The only team on Page’s schedule that I see realistically beating them is Monument Valley, who they will play twice. I would expect them to split but it wouldn’t surprise me that much if either team swept the other.

Monument Valley

Mason’s Rank: 6

BJ’s Rank: 7

Mason’s Ceiling: 7-3

BJ’s Ceiling: 8-2

Mason’s Floor: 4-6

BJ’s Floor: 6-4

‘24 Record: 7-4, missed playoffs.

Mason: The Monument Valley Mustangs come in at 6th on the top 8 3A preseason flag football list. The Mustangs finished with a 7-4 record last year after facing multiple tough opponents in 4A.

Even though they had nine seniors graduate last year, Monument Valley established itself as a solid team in its inaugural season in 2024 and should look to only improve. 

Their toughest opponents this season will be when they play Page twice, and the 2024 4A state championship runner-up, Prescott. Even with these tough games, Monument Valley could pull off some upsets against them as well as take care of the other games on their schedule. 

I don’t think they are going to be championship contenders, but I do think they will have a better 2025 season than the year prior and look to keep building up their program. 

BJ: Monument Valley is in very similar territory as Page after playing in the same region last season and remaining in the same region as the teams moved down to 3A. The Mustangs won a lot of games last season, going 7-4, but their strength of schedule cost them a playoff spot.

Monument Valley has 4A runner up Prescott and 2 games against #6 Page on the schedule and the remaining games are all very winnable. They opted to only have 10 games because they are in the Epic Tourneys Duel at Dusk down in the valley, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they pick up a freedom game or two. This team will certainly finish above .500 and I can see them winning as many as 8 out of 10 games.

Leading Edge Academy

Mason’s Rank: 7

BJ’s Rank: 5

Mason’s Ceiling: 7-5

BJ’s Ceiling: 10-2

Mason’s Floor: 5-7

BJ’s Floor: 7-5

‘24 Record: 6-10, missed playoffs.

Off. Production Returning: 32.4%

Def. Production Returning: 66.8%

Mason: While not having the season they wanted last year, the Leading Edge Academy Spartans will look to have a much better 2025 season. 

While the percentages for production may seem low, the Spartans are returning a few key players who should help the team get into the playoffs this season.

2028 athlete Corynn Foster is the main staple for the Spartans this year. Foster had 1024 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns to go along with it. While she will have a new quarterback throwing her the ball this season, she projects to have another great year.

The Spartans' 2026 linebacker Armani Ramirez will be one of the leaders on the defensive side of the ball for Leading Edge Academy. She had two interceptions and 25 flag pulls last year for her team, proving she can be a multi-gadget player on the defensive side. 

They have a few tough opponents this season with St. John Paul II, Scottsdale Christian, and Benjamin Franklin, but they could pull off an upset on either of those teams if they get momentum going early in their schedule. 

Even though the Spartans may not be a championship contender, if they win the games they are supposed to, they should be looking at a playoff berth.

BJ: Mason seems a little less optimistic about this team than me so I may have to tease him a bit after the season is over LOL. The numbers do not point to this team being top 5, but the eye test does.

‘28 ATH Corynn Foster was impressive during the club flag football season after having an off-the-charts freshman season. Foster caught 77 passes for 1,024 yards and 14 TDs while recording a team-leading 94 flag pulls as well as 4 sacks, 3 INTs, and 1 PBU on defense.

Foster will absolutely be in the running for 3A Player of the Year and will probably put up even bigger numbers on both sides of the ball as a sophomore facing 3A competition.

The Spartans’ toughest games will come against #1 Scottsdale Christian, #3 Ben Franklin, #4 St. John Paul II, and Valley Christian. I think they can go anywhere from 0-5 to 3-2 during this stretch and that is what will define their regular season.

Valley Christian

Mason’s Rank: 8

BJ’s Rank: 8

Mason’s Ceiling: 7-5

BJ’s Ceiling: 11-1

Mason’s Floor: 4-8

BJ’s Floor: 9-3

‘24 Record: 4-8, missed playoffs.

Off. Production Returning: 94%

Def. Production Returning: 81.4%

Mason: Valley Christian comes in ranked 8th in my preseason rankings as they look to turn their program around in a new conference. 

The Valley Christian Trojans only won four games in 2024; however, they will have a majority of their roster back. Building consistency and chemistry in the team will need to be big if they want to have a shot at a winning record. 

They have one of the largest rosters in the conference, which will be an advantage in hoping multiple players break out for their team. 

They are going to rely a lot on their upperclassmen, including 2026 defensive back Rylan Ernst. Ernst had three interceptions and led the team in pass breakups with six. 

They also have 2026 pass rusher Charis Barrett, who led the team with an impressive 14 sacks.

While their offense will need improvement, they are returning a solid defense in 2025, in hopes that they can claim a playoff berth after missing them last year. 

They will have challenges at hand with teams like Leading Edge Academy and Benjamin Franklin in their schedule, but the rest of their schedule is more favorable than it was in the 2024 season. 

BJ: ‘26 R Charis Barrett is probably the best returning rusher in 3A this season after a 14-sack junior season. The Trojans return a ton of talent, including Barrett, on both sides of the ball. Although last season was a struggle in 4A, I believe 2025 in 3A will be their coming out party. 

The toughest games on the schedule for Valley Christian will be #3 Ben Franklin, #5 Leading Edge Academy Gilbert, and Arete Prep. If Valley Christian wins 2 of those 3 games, I believe 11-1 is very much in the cards as they will likely win their other 9 games. Mason’s kinda wilding out with that 7-5 ceiling man.