Preseason Padded Practice Stops

The 2026 Arizona High School football season is weeks away from kickoff. 

Before actual games are played, though, teams hit the practice field in preparation for

the months ahead. 

Early August sees teams throw on the pads and helmets for the first time as each team

starts practicing for the season. 

The first two weeks in August is when teams find out who they will be for the year. 

Here are a few teams BJ Media caught up with during practices as we inch closer to the

season. 

Chandler Prep

The Chandler Prep Titans are coming off their best season in school history. 

Last year the Titans garnered an 8-4 record and even won a playoff game for the first time in program history after defeating Alchesay in the first round.

The goal this year, however, is to keep taking that next step. Chandler Prep will have a great chance of doing so as they bring back a lot of key players to the roster. 2027 quarterback Kody Dodson is back under center for the Titans and is looking to end his high school career on a high note.

His junior campaign saw him throw for 2,239 yards, rush for 352, and have 32 total touchdowns. He is hoping to build off that great year and lead the Titans to a deeper playoff push.

"For the season, I want to throw over 3000 yards," Dodson said. "For the team, I just want to win another playoff game and make it through another playoff game. Hopefully the championship." 

A great thing for Dodd this season is the return of his number one playmaker on the outside. 

2027 wide receiver/safety Aaron Crawford put together one of the best seasons in 2A last season and looks to keep that dominance rolling into 2026. 

In 2025, Crawford hauled in 51 catches for 1,015 yards and 16 touchdowns. 

Crawford is ready to prove to other teams in 2A that Chandler Prep did not have a one-off season. 

"I just want to prove last year wasn't a fluke," Crawford said. "That we're not just a one-win playoff team, that we can make a run in the playoffs." 

With leaders like Crawford on the team, that goal is very much in reach. 

Not only was the dynamic duo of Dodson and Crawford special last season for the Titans, but they had players step up to the plate when they needed to.

A player who did that the most was 2028 running back Marshawn Britt. 

Britt, as a sophomore last year, was called upon after 2026 running back Avery Hamler went down with an injury. 

In his time as the starter, Britt showed he was ready to be a lead back for the Titans. 

On 67 carries, Britt rushed for 512 yards with 11 touchdowns. 

For the upcoming season, Britt says he wants to have an even better year and just be a good role player for the Titans. 

"I had 500 yards [last year], I want to get 1000 this year," Britt said. "I want to be a good role player for the team."

Chandler Prep has some of the best talent 2A has to offer, but they also have a connection within the team that makes them a dangerous unit week-to-week. 

Last year's team broke the school's record for all-time win total; in 2026, the team wants to set that bar even higher. 

Chandler Prep head coach Chris Ator has set the standard for his team, and the players are bought in.

"Coach Ator's motto this year is: 'Be All In,'" Crawford said. "I think that's exactly what it's going to take."

Chandler Prep is a legit title contender in the 2A conference this year and will have the opportunity to challenge other teams for the gold ball in late November. 

Here are some key games Chandler Prep has this season: Scottsdale Preparatory Academy at home on 8/21, at Trivium Prep on 8/28, and San Tan Charter at home on 9/18. 

Arizona College Prep

The Arizona College Prep Knights are due for one of the more intriguing seasons in

2026. 

In 2025, ACP put together a 9-3 season and fought all the way to the quarterfinals for

their inaugural season in the 5A conference. 

This season, they are led under new head coach Jacob Rutter, who was the

defensive coordinator for Highland last season after being the Knights' defensive coordinator in 2024. 

Rutter takes over a talented team that is full of players who will have bigger roles in

2026. 

One of those being 2027 quarterback Gunnar Schmidt. 

Schmidt was the backup last season, but saw a good amount of playing time due to

2026 quarterback Evan Heinrich dealing with injuries last season. 

However, this year, it is Schmidt's team, and he is ready for the opportunity. 

“Last year I started three of four games, and that was fun,” Schmidt said. “I know I can

play, and I’m ready.” 

During the games he played, Schmidt threw for 456 yards and six touchdown passes. 

Now entering their second season in 5A, Schmidt looks to lead ACP to a region title

while having a strong senior campaign. 

"One of our big goals is winning the region. I think we have the toughest region in 5A.

So if we win the region, that will prove we belong here," Schmidt said. "Some personal

goals I want to throw for 2,000 yards this season." 

The Knights are more than prepared to make a run at their region, and Schmidt will have

some help to get them there. 

A few of the weapons on ACP include 2028 wide receiver Hayes Fowler, 2027 wide

receiver Dalton Speaks and 2027 athlete J'Cory Horne Jr. 

Just like Schmidt, Horne Jr. is also taking on a bigger role for ACP and is ready to prove

he is ready for the moment. 

Last season, Horne Jr. rushed for 589 yards and had eight total touchdowns on offense. 

The plan for him in 2026 is to take over the RB1 role as well as play more on the

defensive side as well for the Knights. 

Rutter is looking to build an elite defensive unit, and that starts with players like Horne Jr.

as well as 2028 defensive end/offensive tackle Enoch Adegoke. 

Adegoke had a strong display during the offseason, and it landed him his first D-1 offer

from NAU.

The first offer was exciting for Adegoke, and in his junior season, he is ready to get more

attention put on him. 

"My junior year of film is really going to bring the offers and excitement to me," Adegoke

said. "First (D-1 offer) from NAU was exciting." 

The 6’6 standout is just entering his third year ever of playing football, but Adegoke

states that Rutter has helped him learn and be more versatile on defense. 

“Coach Rutter has been helping me through defense, helping me play different positions," Adegoke said. "Helping me grow as a football player." 

ACP is full of talented players, and Rutter and his staff hope to unlock the potential in

every one of them. 

The Knights aim to keep proving why they belong in 5A and go on a deeper playoff run

and be a title contender in 2026. 

Some key games for ACP this season include: at Desert Mountain on 9/4, ALA Gilbert.

North at home on 10/16 and at Campo Verde on 10/30.

Mountain Ridge

The Mountain Ridge Mountain Lions are aiming to have a turnaround season. 

In 2025, the Mountain Lions did not have a season that they had hoped for. 

They went 1-9 in what was a difficult schedule. 

This season, though, they are looking to get more wins on the board. 

It starts with some key players and leaders returning for Mountain Ridge. 

A two-way impact player returning is 2027 running back/linebacker Nicholas Motz. 

Motz in 2025 was the second-leading tackler for the Mountain Lions with 49 total

tackles. 

He also tallied 12 tackles for loss and three sacks. 

With a few seniors graduating in 2025, Motz will be asked to carry a heavier workload

and given the chance, he could once again be a standout for the Mountain Lions. 

Another player for Mountain Ridge looking to have a big season is 2027 athlete Lukas.

Hindle. 

Last year he tallied 28 total tackles and three tackles for loss. 

Hindle is a senior who is looking to take a jump for the Mountain Lions and help vault his

team to more wins. 

The whole team in general is looking to take that next step.

2022 was the last time Mountain Ridge earned a playoff birth; now they want to get back to that success, and it starts with a strong start to the 2026 season. 

Some key games for Mountain Ridge include: Desert Ridge at home on 9/4, at Saguaro

on 9/18 and Valley Vista at home on 10/30. 

Highland

The Highland Hawks look to get back on track after an uncharacteristic season in 2025. 

In 2025, Highland had a record of 4-7, which was their first losing season since 2016. 

For the past 10 years, the Hawks have been one of the most consistent programs in

Arizona. 

Last year they did not have a season that they had hoped for, but have lots to look

forward to in 2026. 

It all starts with 2027 quarterback Paiden Cash Dalhaug. 

Due to dealing with injuries last year, Dalhaug only played in six games. 

Those six games showed a lot of promise, however. 

Dalhaug threw for 1,054 yards and had 13 passing touchdowns. 

After starting last season 0-4, Dalhaug and the Hawks were able to gain some

momentum in the second half of the season. 

Dalhaug is hoping the connection he has made with his teammates can carry the

momentum they ended with last season into this year. 

"The biggest thing is I have been working with most of the guys during the offseason,"

Dalhaug said. "I don't think there is a better group of guys I'd rather have playing

with me." 

One of the main targets Dalhaug will have is 2030 wide receiver Kenzo Crawford. 

While Crawford is only a freshman, the coaches and players at Highland have high

hopes he can make an immediate impact on Friday nights. 

"[Kenzo Crawford] is a baller," Cash-Dalhaug said. "I think he is going to be

one of the best wide receivers in the state." 

Another gain in the receiving room is the addition of wide receiver coach Zach Pascal. 

Pascal is a former NFL wide receiver who played for the Titans, Colts, Eagles and

Cardinals. 

The Hawks' offense should be back to being great like it has many times before. 

But that is just one side of the game; Highland is calling upon a senior to make his

presence known on both sides of the field. 

2027 athlete Deshown Johnson put together an impressive Spring/Summer

and is ready to see that translate to the games on the field. 

Last year, Johnson had 19 total tackles, one sack, and one interception. 

For the 2026 season, Johnson has set goals for himself not just on defense but on offense

too. 

"I’m trying to get more interceptions this year," Johnson said. " Also, I want to get

touchdowns as well on offense."

Highland has a plethora of talented players; now it's just about putting that product on

the field in a few weeks when the season is underway.

In general, Highland has a strong senior group that looks to leave an impact on the field

one last time before they graduate. 

The Hawks are not used to having losing seasons and will use 2025 as motivation to get

back to where they want to be in the 6A conference. 

Here are some key games Highland plays this season: Higley at home on 9/18, Horizon

at home on 10/16 and at Red Mountain on 10/30. 

Tempe

The Tempe Buffaloes are in the midst of a program turnaround. 

The saying "Tempe Turnaround" has been around since head coach Sean Freeman took over the helm a few years back, and it is coming to fruition. 

In 2025, the Buffaloes went 6-4, their first winning season since 2019. 

The standard gets raised every season for Tempe, and there is real hype and belief that

this unit can make their way into the playoffs this year. 

Tempe will rely on some new faces to help them reach that goal. 

A player that will see the field more this season is 2027 quarterback Jaleel West, who

was named the week one starter. 

The new signal caller is one of the more intriguing pieces for Tempe as he brings a fresh

look at the position.

West also brings a great mindset to the team as he says the Buffaloes should be and

will be moving as one unit this season. 

"We should be more as one, as a unit," West said. "We should all be unified as a team."

While Tempe has improved the play on the field the last few years, it is evident that the

chemistry and togetherness of everyone on the team is contagious. 

Every player and coach has bought into the program. 

Another player ready to lead the charge in 2026 is 2027 wide receiver, Jaiden Hart-

Rodriguez.

During the 2025 season, Hart-Rodriguez hauled in 26 catches for 288 yards and four

touchdowns while leading the team with 4 interceptions on defense.

Not only does Hart-Rodriguez want to build off his season personally, but wants the

entire team to do so as well.

"It's just piggybacking off last year," Hart-Rodriguez said. "We could have done way

better, but going into this season we have more dominant players." 

Even with a new influx of players getting a larger role, the goal remains the same for the

Buffaloes. 

In general, the team has the talent and coaching to go as far as they allow themselves

to.

Tempe is ready to dominate and make their name more well-known in 4A. 

“A big goal for us is to be the most dominant team in 4A," Hart-Rodriguez said. "It's

holding us to that standard that we always hold ourselves to." 

When the season has officially started, it won't be a surprise if Tempe becomes a

legitimate playoff team.

Tempe will be a team to keep an eye out for as they push closer towards their goal of

making the playoffs. 

Some key games for Tempe this season include: at Desert Sunrise on 9/25, Greenway

at home on 10/2, and at home versus Marcos de Niza on 10/29.

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Interview video files and photo galleries from each stop can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1wUM3uZe0sV7G1DeYcENbuVvUEGgslI7R