The Spring Ball Report: Week 3

As spring ball progresses, a lot of schools host/attend showcase events where many college coaches are in attendance to see the talent in person.

This week, we covered a lot of the teams, so here is how their spring ball is going and what the upcoming season may look like for them. 

Camelback

The Camelback Spartans do not back down from a challenge and plan to do it again this season.

Camelback went 5-5 last season, and their five wins came during region play.

In fact, Camelback is 10-0 in region games the last two seasons and has been dominant in that field.

Head coach Dante Foster put together a tough non-region schedule, and his team believes they have what it takes to take down any of them. 

“We established a really good culture here,” Foster said. “We have our guys that genuinely believe we can win those games.” 

One of the players helping build that culture is 2027 running back Anthony Scott Jr. 

Scott Jr. is coming off a great season as a running back. 

He had 384 rushing yards, 431 receiving yards, and eight total touchdowns on the season.

Scott Jr. gives the team flexibility out of the backfield and should be in store for a big senior season. 

In 2028, athlete Kylin Thompson could also be in store for a breakout season, given more opportunities. 

With a lot of seniors graduating, players like Thompson stepping up could be a key factor in Camelback making the playoffs.

In 2025, Thompson had 20 total tackles, three passes deflected, and two interceptions.

Scott Jr. and Thompson are just a couple of key players that gives Foster the confidence in his team that they can play with anyone.

 “We can play with those guys,” Foster said. “I can’t wait to see our guys do their thing.” 

Even though the first five games of the season will be tough for the Spartans, they have a chance at a winning record plus playoff berth this year. 

Shadow Ridge

The Shadow Ridge Stallions are making strides to put more wins on the board.

During the 2025 season, Shadow Ridge had its best season in 3 years and looks to build on it.

They went 4-6 and came close to a .500 record and a playoff berth.

The Stallions have the coaching and talent on the roster to make that next jump.

Head coach Mike Zdebski said the team learned how to win. 

“You gotta learn how to win,” Zdebski said. “One of the biggest things we learned last year is you don’t know when that most critical play is going to occur.” 

The team will look different this season without some crucial seniors; however, they have other players ready to have breakout seasons.

2028 athlete Jakhi Epson will look to turn some heads this season.

Epson only appeared in three games last season, but during the offseason, he has been super impressive.

This upcoming season, Epson has worked hard towards and has set some goals for himself. 

“I have worked on my explosiveness and my run after the catch,” Epson said. “I want to get a D-1 offer, and I’d like to be first team all receiver.” 

The Stallions will again play a tough 6A schedule, but it seems they are ready to keep improving and possibly make the postseason this year. 

Sunrise Mountain

The Sunrise Mountain Mustangs are coming off their first .500 season in three years. 

Sunrise Mountain brought in head coach Santiago Maldonado last year, and he immediately brought a culture and wins to the program.

Maldonado has set an expectation for his program.

“We got those first-year blues out of the way,” Maldonado said. “Kids know us, they know the expectation, they know the culture that we believe in.”

After an impressive first year with the program, Maldonado is trying to reach that next level, and that is the playoffs. 

“Get this group in the playoffs,” Maldonado said. “We start with Desert View on the road, so that will be a good test for us.” 

A player who will be crucial in the push to the playoffs is 2027 wide receiver Tanner Austin. 

Austin had 809 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns last season for the Mustangs.

This year, Austin has set some career-high goals for himself that he can achieve. 

“I want to hit 1k receiving yards,” Austin said. “I was right there last year, and 12 touchdowns.”

With a new culture and foundation put in place at Sunrise Mountain, they have a great chance of being a team in 5A to make the playoffs. 

Buckeye Union

The Buckeye Hawks are building a special young team.

Buckeye went 5-5 last season and improved by three wins from 2024.

The Hawks are a young team with a ton of potential over the next few years. 

They have about 36 players in their class of 2028 players within their program and 8 of them started last year for them.

One of those is 2028 dual-threat quarterback Mekhi Sharper. 

In 2025, Sharper threw for 898 yards, rushed for 1125, and had 19 total touchdowns.

Sharper is looking to have an even better season for Buckeye and lead them to the playoffs. 

“We know what we have to do to be a better team,” Sharper said regarding missing the playoffs a season prior. “I want to hit my 1k throwing, 1500 rushing, and first team region player of the year.”

Buckeye is not just building for the now but for the future, too.

Head coach Puni Ellis has done a great job of reforming this team and setting the expectations higher than before.

Ellis mentioned he wants to be more than a team that gets knocked out in the first round, but also knows his team has to reach that level first.

“We've got to get to the point of being a playoff team and take it one game at a time,” Ellis said. “The expectation is to make playoffs.”

Buckeye will be a team to keep an eye out for as they will have multiple players who step up and are being led the right way.

Ironwood

The Ironwood Eagles hope to bounce back after a tough 2025 season.

Last year, Ironwood went 1-9, but their offense looked good in many of those games.

In four games last season, they put over 30 points on the board.

The pieces for a winning team are there, and they hope to put them together for the upcoming year. 

Their star player, 2027 athlete Ramsey Pyne, will be back for his senior season and should have another remarkable year. 

Last season, Pyne had 648 receiving yards, eight total touchdowns and one interception. 

Pyne has personal goals he wants to hit this season, but most importantly, he wants to win more games. 

“Win as a team, that’s the first goal,” Pyne said. “Expectations I’ve set for myself are breaking more records. Being a better leader on and off the field.” 

Ironwood will look to get back in the win column more often this season and have the right foundation and culture to bring that to reality. 

Paradise Honors

The Paradise Honors Panthers will look to make the postseason for a fifth straight season.

During the 2025 season, Paradise Honors went 6-6 and won their first-round playoff game versus Peoria. 

This is year two for head coach Josh Sekoch at Paradise Honors, and he wants to make sure his team is reset for the upcoming season.

“When you make the playoffs and win a playoff game, there is a lot of hype,” Sekoch said. “But are you hyped in February when you’re lifting. We reset and go back to day one.”

Making sure they build off of last season but prepare for the 2026 year like it's a new one is how you build sustainable programs. 

Building a great program also means having great players, and the Panthers return one of the best in the state.

2027 running back Chuck Van Dyke is back for his senior season and is coming off a monster 2025 year. 

In 2025, Van Dyke rushed for 2082 yards, 7.3 yards per carry, and had 21 touchdowns.

Van Dyke proved to be one of the best running backs in Arizona and will have a great chance to break the 2k threshold again. 

Even though they won a playoff game, they know they can be better.

“Everybody was happy we beat Peoria in the first round, but I wasn’t happy being 5-5 (in the regular season,” Sekoch said. “I thought we should’ve been better throughout the year. Just focus on today, and tomorrow takes care of itself.”

Paradise Honors will be back in playoff discussion and have a great chance at being a team that has a winning record during the year.  

Verrado

The Verrado Vipers will look to make the playoffs for a third season in a row. 

Verrado is coming off two back-to-back win seasons and looks to keep building off of it. 

While they may have lost some impact seniors, the Vipers have the pleasure of welcoming back their elite wide receiver duo.

Verrado 2027 wide receivers Carter Bliss and Eli Mock are in store for another big season between the two of them.

Bliss led the team with 715 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, while Mock had 488 yards and seven touchdowns. 

The offensive side of the ball should be productive again with the duo of Bliss and Mock, amongst others. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Verrado lost a lot of seniors, but 2027 defensive lineman Halston Harper is poised for a breakout year.

Harper had 58 tackles with four tackles for loss in a deep lineman room last season for the Vipers. 

Even though Verrado had a big senior class, they still have playmakers on both sides of the ball that should be able to take on bigger roles for their team.

Canyon View

The Canyon View Jaguars are coming off a great turnaround season and the best season in program history. 

Under the first year with head coach JR Alcantar, Canyon View managed to go 11-3 and make the 5A state title game.

They ultimately lost to Desert Mountain in the championship game, but still had a fantastic season.

While they had many leaders and productive players graduate, the Jaguars will look to return some key starters.

2027 defensive back Keegan McCarthy is a key contributor in the secondary.

In 2025, he had 71 total tackles, five pass deflections, and three interceptions. 

Another contributor on the defensive side is 2027 defensive lineman Andy Fierros, who was great last year for the Jaguars.

He had 30 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, and three sacks. 

Helping out Fierros on the line was 2027 defensive lineman Tiki Teeples, who was dominant getting at the quarterback last season.

Teeples was dominant with 18 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks and led the way to help Canyon View have a great defense.

A key contributor on the offensive side coming back is 2027 wide receiver Braylon Anderson. 

In 2025, Anderson led the Jaguars with 866 receiving yards and an impressive 14 touchdowns. 

Anderson returning along with key starters on the defense, Canyon View will be poised to have another great year. 

Millennium

The Millennium Tigers hope to replicate the winning season they accomplished in 2025.

The Tigers went 7-4 and have some star players back for the upcoming year. 

Millennium will have its lead pass catcher return in 2027, wide receiver Kadin Johnson. 

Johnson led the Tigers in receiving yards as he hauled in 660 and led with receiving touchdowns with 11. 

They also return their dominant running back. 

2027 running back Dmari Bryant was dominant in 2025. 

Bryant put up video game numbers with 2042 rushing yards, 9.2 yards per carry, and a ridiculous 30 touchdowns. 

He was able to help the Tigers be so dominant and could be in store for another 2k rushing yard campaign.

Helping him run the ball so well is 2027 tackle Lauifi Tosi.

Tosi, amongst the others on the line, was able to help Bryant be so dominant, and that hopes to be the same case again this season.

Then, a new player adding to the mix is 2028 linebacker Jericho Peralta, who transferred in from Cactus. 

Peralta was great for Cactus last season as he had 72 total tackles and five tackles for loss. 

With the addition of Peralta on the defense, the Tigers' unit should look to be strong this season.

Millennium can once more make the playoffs and even have a better season with the roster that will hit the field in 2026. 

Mountain View

A team that is a staple in 6A is the Mountain View Toros.

Mountain View head coach Andy Litten has created a long-sustaining program no matter who is playing for them.

The Toros had some great players graduate, including 2026 quarterback Brady Goodman and 2026 wide receiver Talan Arnett, amongst others.

One key returner is three-star 2027 offensive lineman Tye Kennedy. 

Kennedy is a massive part of what the Toros like to do, and that is to control the line of scrimmage. 

While he will play on Friday nights this season, he is good enough to play right away on Saturdays in 2027.

A player running behind Kennedy is 2027 running back Coy Bodily, who could have a breakout season in 2026.

Last year, Bodily had 732 yards on the ground, 5.2 yards per carry, and six touchdowns. 

The lead tackler last season for the Toros will also be making his return.

2027 linebacker Preston Patterson will look to build off a great 2025 campaign.

He had 102 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and three sacks in 2025.

Westwood

The Westwood Warriors aim to make the playoffs for a second year in a row.

Even though they went 4-7, the Warriors made it to the playoffs and got postseason action for the first time in a while. 

2027 running back Nevada commit Keshawn Barkus is who Westwood will rely on to make those goals come to fruition once again. 

Barkus is coming off an incredible year that saw him rush for 1648 yards, 6.8 yards per carry and 19 total touchdowns. 

Even though he had an amazing season, Barkus is working hard to hit even better goals.

“Rushing for 3K yards this year,” Barkus said regarding his goals. “I’ve been really working on my top-end speed this year.” 

Barkus is the main engine of the Warriors' offense, and he will look to have a huge 2026 season and become one of the best running backs in the country. 

In the passing game, Westwood 2028 wide receiver Ben Atwood is the main target for the Warriors.

He hauled in 26 catches for 432 yards and four touchdowns for Westwood, and they will rely on him to have a big year for the offense. 

Westwood has the talent to once again get into a tough 6A playoff bracket and even go for a playoff win.

Mesa

Even though the Mesa Jackrabbits coaching staff will look different this season, the expectation to go over .500 and make the playoffs remains the same.

New head coach Ryan Felker comes in with a great deal of experience and should help Mesa compete right away.

Felker was previously the head coach at Mesa Community College, where he went 41-32 and had four bowl appearances for the team.

Being around Mesa for a long time, Felker is an easy fit into what the program strives to do.

Helping Felker in his first season at Mesa is bringing back a solid roster. 

One of those is 2027 athlete Kam Williams. 

Williams is a true two-way star, as in 2025, he had 486 receiving yards with 5 touchdowns and 61 total tackles with seven interceptions to go along with it. 

2028 defensive end Sione Taueli should prove to have a big junior season for the Jackrabbits defensive unit.

As only a sophomore, he had 65 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks, already proving his dominance on the line. 

The Jackrabbits have another great player on the line coming back in 2027, defensive end Joe Haynie.

Haynie totaled 60 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks last season for Mesa. 

Mesa is also bringing back a pair of brothers who showed out in a limited time last year. 

2027 athlete Kingston Anetema appeared in just seven games for Mesa due to transferring in from California, but he was elite.

Anetema hauled in 471 receiving yards with five touchdowns and had two interceptions as well. 

His brother, 2027 quarterback Kane Anetema, is just as good. 

Kane only appeared in six games but threw for 1108 yards and had nine total touchdowns on the season. 

With an elite coach entering the program plus some key returners coming back, Mesa will be aiming for a playoff run this season.

Red Mountain

Off of an Open Division playoff berth last year, the Red Mountain Mountain Lions look to keep getting closer to hoisting that trophy when the season is all done.

A reason for the prominence Red Mountain has had over the years is head coach Kyle Enders. 

Enders is one of the most elite and respected coaches in Arizona for the culture he has built for the Mountain Lions. 

Last season, Red Mountain went 9-3 and lost in the Open Division quarterfinals to an elite Liberty team.

With new faces and leaders needing to step up for Red Mountain this season, Enders is aiming for his team to get better every day throughout the spring and summer.

“That’s our goal, just all through spring and summer get better,” Enders said. “Throughout the season, play our best ball at the right time.” 

A new player coming into the program this season is 2028 quarterback Dayne Silver, who transferred in from Eastmark.

As a sophomore, Silver had 2292 passing yards and 23 passing touchdowns. 

Enders is excited to see what he can bring to Red Mountain in 2026.

“Physically, he has all the attributes; he can do it all,” Enders said. “He can rip the ball to certain parts of the field.” 

A weapon Silver will get to throw this season is 2028 tight end Jayden Windom.

Windom is a big 6’4 tight end who is an elite target on the field. 

He had 352 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season for Red Mountain and could be in store for a breakout year. 

An out-of-state weapon coming in is 2028 wide receiver Kaden Weaver, who transferred in from North Creek (WA). 

During his first two years at the varsity level, Weaver recorded 2,370 receiving yards and 34 TDs, earning KingCo MVP honors. (Context: For those unfamiliar with the WIAA system, schools are in self-selected conferences instead of AIA-selected regions. Kingco is a 24-team league with 4 divisions of 6 teams each.)

On the defensive side, the Mountain Lions welcome back 2027 defensive end Leonidas To’oto’o.

Last year for Red Mountain, To’oto’o had 32 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.

Then another unit on the line is 380-pound 2029 defensive tackle Lyzander To’oto’o. 

As a freshman, he only appeared in eight varsity games, having 18 total tackles and one tackle for loss; however, he could be in store for a breakout sophomore campaign.

While Red Mountain looks to replace some of their senior productivity from last season, they have players who will make that next step and become elite in their own right.

Expect Red Mountain to be great like they are every season.

Dobson

The Dobson Mustangs are coming off their best season in quite some time. 

Over the last few seasons, Dobson has continued to improve and could be close to hitting the .500 mark and even getting into the playoffs. 

A big plus for them was their running attack. 

2027 running back Micah Newcombe was a big bright spot in 2025 for the Mustangs.

He rushed for 1,260 yards with 19 touchdowns and was even a two-way player for them, totaling 56 tackles on defense. 

Another two-way player returning is 2027 linebacker/wide receiver Kaimir Tyler. 

Tyler hauled in 265 yards and four touchdowns.

On defense, he was all over the field.

Last season on defense, Tyler had 53 total tackles, three sacks, and one interception.

With the help of some key returners, Dobson could get over that .500 hump and possibly a winning season.

Skyline

The Skyline Coyotes will have new faces at the helm this season.

Going 3-7 last year was not ideal for Skyline, but they have things to look forward to in 2026. 

One of those is hiring Mesa OC Josh Roberts, who is a Skyline alum, as their new head coach. 

Bringing in a coach who knows what the culture should be and what they want to see out of the program is exactly what Skyline should have done.

Skyline also brings back 2028 tight end Jesse Lewis, who could be a cornerstone player for the Coyotes this season.

Lewis had 274 receiving yards and three touchdowns this season and is expected to take on a larger role.

The Coyotes should look completely different this season, and Roberts will look to put the program on a path to winning more games. 

Desert Edge

Another year and another season of the Desert Edge Scorpions being a favorite to hoist the 5A state championship trophy.

The Scorpions went 11-1 but lost to Desert Mountain 13-10 during the playoffs.

2027 4-star Washington commit Blake Roskopf went down with an injury, which prevented him from playing in the game. 

Just fresh off a commitment to Washington, Roskopf threw for 2815 yards with 37 touchdown passes.

Another Washington commit on the team is 2027 4-star wide receiver Zerek Sidney. 

Sidney missed the majority of last season with an injury.

With a full season of games played, Sidney should prove to be one of the top targets in Arizona and put up great numbers. 

Going to the defensive side, Desert Edge is coming back with a star-studded group.

One of those is 5-star 2028 defensive end, Jalanie George. 

As only a sophomore last season, George had 16 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks on the year. 

George is top-ranked defensive end and overall defensive player nationally in the 2028 class and should have an even better junior season. 

The Scorpions are loaded in the secondary with players like 3-star 2027 defensive back and Oklahoma commit Mikyal Davis. 

Davis is one of the best corners in Arizona, and in 2025, he had 36 total tackles, 11 passes deflected, and one interception.

These are just a few of some of the elite players returning to Desert Edge this season.

Once again, they will have the coaching, roster, and culture to be a dominant force in the 5A conference. 

Liberty

A modern dynasty in Arizona will look to add to its trophy case once more. 

The Liberty Lions, over the last few seasons, have put together one of the most dominant stretches in Arizona high school football history. 

They won back-to-back Open Division titles in 2023 and 2024 and made it to the semi-finals in 2025.

They lost to the eventual champions in Basha last season and put together another remarkable year.

Liberty will return key players in hopes they can once again be one of, if not the best, team in the state. 

2027 3-star San Diego State commit Braxton Huynh is in store for a big senior season. 

Huynh has improved each year, and he is coming off a 521-yard and four-touchdown season as one of the lead receivers for the Lions. 

He will see a new signal caller throwing to him this fall, as 2027 quarterback Kenny Raymond and 2029 quarterback Jason Haines will compete for the starting job.

Even though he has yet to see varsity action, Haines has made strides this offseason and has looked impressive during the spring. 

It will be interesting to see if Haines can take over the helm and lead Liberty.

Another intriguing prospect the Lions have is 2029 tackle Isaiah Phillips. 

Phillips stands at 6’10, no, that is not a typo. 

D1 coaches were in complete shock when they spotted Phillips looking like a giant among an already large Liberty offensive line.

Liberty, just like they have for many years now, will look different but will still be an elite team in 2026. 

Sahuarita

A team that has had a lot of impressive players so far this spring has been the Sahuarita Mustangs.

Last season, the Mustangs went 5-5 and fell just short of breaking into the playoffs.

However, their spring ball has looked sharp so far and has some players to look out for. 

The Mustangs have a few players in the trenches who could gain some D-1 traction.

One of those is 2027 offensive lineman Brandon Carroll. 

Carroll stands out at 6’5 320 pounds and has the talent and measureables to play on Saturday.

Then also 2028 offensive/defensive lineman Ahmad Remigio. 

Remigio is measured at 6’5 300 pounds, and can play on either side of the ball.

Nevada, UNLV, Weber State, and Illinois State watched both of the players closely during the Southern Arizona Spring Football Showcase. 

Another key player coming back for the Mustangs is 2027 tight end/defensive end Sergio Burgos Jr. 

In 2025, Burgos Jr. had 419 total yards, three touchdowns, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.

Burgos Jr. is a true two-way player for Sahuarita and will have a great senior campaign.

Sahuarita has the makings to be a true contender to make the 4A playoffs in the 2026 season with the talent they have coming back. 

Cienega

Looking to make the playoffs for a second straight season, in a row the Cienega Bobcats hope to build off a solid 2025 year.

Last season, Cienega went 7-5 and even won a playoff game versus Sunnyslope. 

The Bobcats lost a lot of productive seniors from 2025 and will look for others to fill those roles.

2027 linebacker Oliver Bonilla will be one of the main staples returning to the starting group for Cienega. 

Bonilla had 67 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and three sacks a season ago.

It is expected that Bonilla takes a jump as he will take on an even larger role this season and be one of the leaders on the defensive unit.

On the offensive side of the ball, a majority of the production came from seniors, so it will be interesting to see who stands out early on and who will be the starters. 

The Bobcats will look to have a different-looking team, but the main goal of being a playoff team in 5A remains.

Sabino

For a second year in a row, the Sabino Sabercats aim to make the postseason.

Even though they went 4-7, Sabino made the playoffs and overall improved from their 2024 season.

They also have some intriguing players on the team that can help lead them to an above .500 record in 2026. 

A big piece of the team is 2028 quarterback Bodhi Sanford.

As a sophomore, Sanford threw for 2340 yards and had 26 passing touchdowns. 

In his first two seasons on varsity, he has improved, and it is expected that Sanford will have his best year so far this upcoming season. 

While a lot of the wide receivers last season that produced were seniors, there have been some standouts in the spring who should make a name for themselves. 

2027 wide receiver Javian Winton is a player who will step up for the Sabercats in 2026. 

Last season, Winton had 388 total yards of offense and four touchdowns. 

Winton can play as a running back or wide receiver and gives Sabino some versatility on offense. 

On defense, Sabino also returns a great linebacker.

2027 linebacker Gabe Warren had a fantastic 2025 season and will be a leader on the defense. 

Last season, Warren totaled 43 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks. 

With the combination of solid, productive players coming back, Sabino should be back in the running for a 3A playoff spot. 

Walden Grove

The Walden Grove Wolves will look to have their fifth straight winning season. 

Walden Grove has made a sustainable program and has always looked like a sharp team in 4A. 

They will have an intriguing season with the addition of a new signal-caller. 

2027 quarterback Matt Avelar transferred in from Salpointe this offseason and is in store for a big senior season. 

In his 26 career games with Salpointe, Avelar has thrown for 2422 yards, rushed for 528, and has had 24 total touchdowns. 

So far during spring ball, Avelar has looked sharp and should be in store for a career year. 

A player looking to take a big step on the offensive side of the football is 2027 athlete Jordan Dobson.

On defense, Dobson was great last season, having 54 total tackles, four interceptions, and 13 passes deflected. 

It seems he will be getting more reps in as a wide receiver this season, too, and should be one of the main targets. 

Another defensive player who is aiming for a breakout is 2027 defensive backJeremiah Hayes. 

Hayes had limited action last season but will be tasked with stepping up more this season and has looked great during spring ball.

Walden Grove should have another winning season and could even make some noise in the 4A postseason. 

Mica Mountain

The Mica Mountain Thunderbolts are going for their third straight 4A title and cement themselves as one of the modern dynasties in Arizona. 

Mica Mountain has been nothing short of dominant for a while now. 

The last two seasons, they have gone 26-2 and have two trophies to show for it. 

Yes, they had a big senior class, but something about Mica Mountain is that they know how to develop players to a high level. 

A key returner includes 2028 offensive/defensive lineman Lincoln Maggard.

Maggard is a D-1 prospect who can do it on both sides of the trenches and will bring stability back to both sides of the ball for Mica Mountain this upcoming season. 

2027 athlete Kaden Watson is another big name coming back for his senior campaign.

Watson had 211 receiving yards and three touchdowns, and on defense had two interceptions and six passes deflected. 

Then, a big-time factor on their offense returns in 2027 running back Jeremiah Anderson.

Anderson rushed for 712 yards and six touchdowns and could very well break the 1k rushing yard mark this year behind their massive offensive line. 

Mica Mountain will be great again this season, and they will be an early favorite to hoist the 4A trophy in December and complete the 3-peat.

Desert View

The Desert View Jaguars are coming off one of the best turnarounds last season.

For two years straight, Desert View went 3-7 and missed out on the playoffs.

But last year they ran the table in the regular season to earn a first-round bye before dominating Mountain Pointe and stumbling to Canyon View in the 5A quarterfinals.

Last year was not lightning in a bottle, but the hard work of a program that wanted more wins. 

Players like 2028 running back Jaylee Abraham are the reason why they were so successful last season.

Abraham put up video game-like numbers last year.

He rushed for 1716 yards and had 38 total touchdowns. 

Just like last season, Abraham should have another amazing season.

The Jaguars will have a new quarterback under center, but he has looked impressive so far.

2028 quarterback Andrew Godoy saw some action last season, having 401 passing yards and four touchdowns.

Godoy is taking on the QB1 role this season and is looking like he will have a big season alongside the rest of the Jags' massive 2028 class that came in together as freshmen and have played together since youth ball.

The Jaguars will look to build off a great 2025 season and make it even deep into the postseason in 2026.

Salpointe

The Salpointe Lancers are one of the most consistent teams in the state of Arizona. 

Salpointe has faced challenges early on in the offseason with 12 players transferring out of the program, including 3-star NAU commit RJ Gory, star '27 RB/LB Chris Chaney, and '27 QB Matthew Avelar.

However, if there is one thing Salpointe can do is find players who can impact the field.

While they had players transfer out, they still have a plethora of talent on the roster who will help lead them to wins. 

A player who is gaining steam is 2029 offensive lineman Esteban Molina.

As a freshman, Molina was listed at 6’5 and 285 pounds and he looked like he's gotten even bigger at Southern AZ Showcase. 

Molina will bring size and strength to the offensive lineman room and will help out the overall offense greatly.

2027 wide receiver David Rushing is another key returner and should be poised for a huge season. 

Last season, the 3-star K-State commit hauled in 589 yards and six touchdowns. 

Rushing will be the WR1 this season and could aim to break 1k yards in 2026.

This season could be the toughest test in recent memory after losing so many players, but the Lancers have held their own since moving up to 6A despite having a 4A enrollment.

San Tan Charter

The San Tan Charter Roadrunners are in store for a big 2026 season at the 2A level. 

San Tan Charter is coming off a great 2025 season in which they went 9-3, with their loss in the playoffs coming from the eventual 2A state champions, Scottsdale Christian. 

This group may have some new faces that will impact the on-field product, although this team should be right back in contention. 

San Tan Charter head coach Chase Cartwright says this is a knowledgeable group he has this season, and it should translate well on the turf. 

“We have a smart group,” Cartwright said. “They’re going to continue to get better, and I’m excited to see what it looks like in the fall.” 

A key component of their success from last season was 2028 quarterback Luke Cardis.

Last season, Cardis threw for 1969 yards with 29 touchdowns and only three interceptions. 

While last year was great, Cardis knows there is another level in his game and the team's ceiling. 

“Build on last year,” Cardis said in regards to his goals for the upcoming season. “As a team, we’re going for state.” 

With the combination of Cartwright being a top-tier coach and some solid players coming back for the Roadrunners, there's no doubt they can make a chase for the 2A title. 

ALA Gilbert North

The ALA Gilbert North Eagles have unfinished business. 

During the 2025 season, the Eagles were a force to be reckoned with. 

They went 11-2 and lost in the 5A semifinals to Canyon View 34-24. 

ALA Gilbert North will be returning some elite players who can help propel them back into state championship talks. 

One of those players is 3-star 2027 athlete Isaac Massey. 

Massey has proven to be one of the best players in Arizona as he is electric on the field.

Last year, Massey had 1021 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns while also snagging six interceptions on the defensive side.  

For Massey, he wants to get over the hump as ALA Gilbert North has lost in back-to-back semifinal games and finally make it to state.

“It’s always a big thing, state championship,” Massey said. “We got to the semis the last two years, so we’re trying to get past that wall.” 

Massey also mentioned how his recruiting is going well and was even talking to Boise State during the showcase.

His partner in crime to help the team get over that hump is 2027 quarterback Ben Livingston.

The 2025 season proved that Livingston is one of the best quarterbacks in the state of Arizona. 

He threw for 2570 yards and had 40 total touchdowns last season. 

Livingston is hoping to have an even better season this year, which will help coincide with the ultimate goal, which is to hold the state championship trophy in December. 

“I want to throw for 3K yards and have over a 70% completion,” Livingston said. “None of that really matters; we want to win a state title.” 

Even though it’s only May, it is safe to say ALA Gilbert North will be a contender in the 5A conference. 

Ben Franklin

The Ben Franklin Chargers will look to avenge their loss in the state championship game in 2026.

The Chargers were an immovable force for the majority of last year. 

Going 13-0 to begin the year, they were blowing out a majority of the teams they faced. 

Ultimately, they lost to Round Valley in the 3A state championship game, 13-10, and were a few plays away from a perfect season. 

Ben Franklin head coach Danny Norris noted that he is looking to see more physicality out of his team this season and realizes they have to do that for 14 games. 

“Our guys understand it’s gotta be a 14-win season,” Norris said. “We need to know what it’s gotta take to win the 3A state championship. We need to increase our physicality, our strength, our speed if we want to be the last team in the season.” 

The Chargers will have some big help coming back this season in 2027 quarterback Gavin Wyler. 

As a starter for Ben Franklin, Wyler has gone 23-3. 

In 2025, Wyler threw for 2350 yards with 29 touchdowns and only four interceptions. 

While the Chargers lost a lot of productive seniors, they will rely on some new faces to step up, and Wyler will lead the way. 

Now going into his third season as the starter, Wyler is ready for whoever is in front of him.

“I’ve seen it all,” Wyler said. “We’re ready for anything; we can take on anybody.” 

With Norris, Wyler, and others leading the way, the Chargers will be ready for another run at the 3A title. 

Highland 

The Highland Hawks are coming off a season that they hope to improve on. 

Highland went 4-7 last season and had a first-round exit.

They started off the season 0-4 but managed to win four straight games and eventually found their way into the postseason.

The Hawks aim to have a better season with some key players on the roster being difference makers. 

One of the more intriguing players Highland has is 2027 quarterback Paiden Cash Dalhaug.

Dalhaug only appeared in six games but had 1,054 yards and 13 passing touchdowns.

During the offseason, Dalhaug has been super impressive and should have a breakout season in 2026.

Helping Dalhaug through the air and on the ground will be 2027 ATH Kruz Cullimore. 

Cullimore is poised to be a main target in the Hawks' offense this season.

He hauled in 24 catches for 261 yards and two touchdowns last season.

On the defensive side, Highland has a few key defensive backs making their return in larger roles. 

2029 defensive back Aydin Rodriguez flashed as a freshman for Highland.

In only six games fighting through injuries, he had 17 tackles and four tackles for loss, proving he is already one of the best run-supporting defensive backs in the 6A level.

Then 2027 defensive back Deshown Johnson is another playmaker in the secondary. 

During his 2025 campaign, Johnson had 19 total tackles and four passes deflected, and he has looked impressive during the offseason.

The young defensive back trio for Highland could prove to be a factor in the team performing better this season.

While Highland may not have had the year they hoped for in 2025, the Hawks should look better this year with their key players returning.

Campo Verde

The Campo Verde Coyotes are coming off a 7-5 season and playoff win over Verrado in the first round.

The Coyotes lost to Canyon View in the second round, but through adversity, the team still battled. 

A huge spark on the team was 2027 quarterback Jonah Lubno, who had transferred from Hamilton in early 2025.

Lubno is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks to go to Campo Verde, and he proved that during the 2025 season.

He had 1,591 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, and showed off his dual-threat ability with 17 rushing touchdowns. 

Lubno aims to have a big senior year and go for state this season, something Campo Verde football is still looking for in its program’s history. 

“Have a fun senior year,” Lubno said. “Goal: win state.” 

While he was dynamic on the field, Lubno said he also learned how to be a leader last season for Campo Verde. 

“Learning how to control my team,” Lubno said. “Emotions got high, staying calm is the most important part.” 

Another key returner for the Coyotes is 2027 athlete Easton Bakutis. 

Bakutis was a productive two-way player for Campo Verde last season and could have an even bigger season. 

On offense, he hauled in 264 receiving yards and four touchdowns while also snagging two interceptions on defense. 

While Campo Verde had a great senior class last season, they could aim for an even bigger 2026 season while they look for some guys to step up to the plate. 

Desert Ridge

The Desert Ridge Jaguars look to flip the script in 2026.

A big-time hire for Desert Ridge was made this offseason as they hired head coach Miles Smith. 

Smith comes from an NFL background as he most recently coached for the Houston Texans, where his father, Lovie Smith, was the head coach.

The Jaguars went 0-10 last year, playing a very tough 6A schedule. 

However, a presence that Smith adds, where he coached at the highest league possible, could be just what Desert Ridge needed. 

While the Jaguars had a big graduating class last season, it is expected that a lot of new faces will be on the field this season.

One player who is coming back, though, is 2027 defensive end Caleb Liddell. 

In 2025, for Desert Ridge, Liddell had 38 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and four sacks. 

Desert Ridge hasn’t been where they want to be in terms of wins, but the new culture and identity they could bring this season is something to keep an eye out for. 

Gilbert

The Gilbert Tigers aim to push for the playoffs for a second year in a row.

Gilbert is coming off a 5-6 season where they lost to the eventual 5A champions Desert Mountain in the first round. 

The Tigers hope to feed off that momentum and make it back into the postseason.

A player who should take a huge leap is 2028 running back Marcus Ronquillo.

In a split backfield last season, Ronquillo rushed for 448 yards and five touchdowns and will look to be the full-time starter this season. 

A returner on the defense who could take a jump is 2028 linebacker Christian Seeley.

Just as a sophomore last year, Seeley had 45 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one interception, and could see an increased workload given the big 2026 senior class that graduated. 

While Gilbert may have lost a lot of seniors, they have some young players who look to take on more responsibility and see the field.

Mesquite

Similar to Gilbert, the Mesquite Wildcats hope to once again find their way back into the playoffs. 

In 2025, Mesquite went 5-6 and lost in round one of the playoffs to Coconino. 

The Wildcats had a lot of seniors last season and will have to look for other players to make up that production.

A key returning starter is 2027 linebacker Sage Santiago. 

Last season for the Wildcats, Santiago totaled 71 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one interception.

It’ll be interesting to see who can take that step up for the Wildcats and if they can make another push into the playoffs. 

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Photo Galleries

Elite West Valley Showcase: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1wj2MYVKUPafO-WnSBVhLQMj82xwBk9GU

East Valley Charter Showcase: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1-E67Et-vmJXyY2agofiMB5f0b-uR0A6E

Far West Valley Showcase: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1gnGu73N0jUKuTo13L1vFyRYufVWZCjYS

Highland: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1up2CY_gbFbPZXHg8R6lezAdvQT2bCZUO

Mesa Public Schools Showcase: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1-1mtPbsGN9FY7MX6VeNBszbqMU7gYz-7

Southern AZ Showcase: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/19qCSt4UISooDVT1jt3EmYm43XyYT3qhW

Verrado: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1DrgBvIFVLg9VOdisiCHggGZu7_bL5MlY

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