The Spring Ball Report: Week 4

 This week, we look at 29 more teams as a lot of programs participated in more showcase events.

Here are the teams we covered in week 4: 

North Phoenix Showcase

Pinnacle

The Pinnacle Pioneers are looking to be contenders once more in the 2026 season.

Pinnacle will have a very interesting season as they will see a lot of younger guys take on bigger roles this season. 

Some of the young players who will step up have star written all over them, though. 

One player to keep an eye out for is 2028 wide receiver Maxwell Libman. 

Libman has played extremely well during the 7’s circuit as well as spring ball. 

He has been one of the most rising names to come out during the offseason due to his play.

As a junior this upcoming season, it is safe to say he will see the field a lot.

A gun slinger to keep an eye out for is 2028 quarterback Grayson Bull. 

Last season, Bull played on JV but absolutely dominated during the season.

Same with Libman, Bull has looked super sharp and poised during the offseason, and he will compete with 2027 Jackson Reader to be the QB1 this fall. 

On the defensive side, 2028 defensive lineman Ian Fullmer will look to build off a great 2025 campaign. 

As only a sophomore last year, Fullmer wrecked through 6A offensive lines.

In 2025, Fullmer had 12.5 sacks, 13 hurries, and 20 tackles for loss. 

Fullmer has proved to be one of the best defensive linemen in the state and should only improve in 2026.

While Pinnacle may have graduated a lot last season, they have a loaded 2028 class that will look to make an impact for the 2026 season. 

Centennial 

The Centennial Coyotes are still an Arizona powerhouse. 

Last season, the Coyotes finished as the 6A runners-up after losing to Casteel in the championship game. 

For the past two seasons, many people counted Centennial out, and they proved those people wrong by going on playoff runs. 

This season, they look to do the same. 

Centennial is returning some key players who hope to bring them back to the championship stage and maybe even the Open Division. 

2028 quarterback Titus Hill is back as the gunslinger for the Coyotes this season.

Titus Hill was efficient last season as he threw for 23 touchdowns and took care of the ball with only three interceptions. 

2028 tight end & wide receiver Torrin Hill is the twin brother of Titus.

In 2025, Torrin hauled in 530 yards and seven touchdowns. 

They will also be adding 2028 running back Jaylee Abraham, who transferred in from Desert View last week. 

He rushed for 1,716 yards, totaled 574 receiving yards and 38 total touchdowns last season and will make an immediate impact for the Coyotes. 

On the defensive side of things, the Coyotes will return a great defensive lineman. 

2027 defensive lineman Luke Franklin is in line for a great 2026 campaign. 

Franklin totaled 10 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 99 total tackles last season. 

Along with Franklin, DB brothers Elijah (2027) and Josiah Carothers (2028) have garned a ton of D-I interest with Elijah likely to make a commitment decision soon.

Not only does Centennial have the talent to compete again, but the overall culture that is in place is one of the best in Arizona. 

Chaparral 

The Chaparral Firebirds are poised for a big 2026 season. 

Under head coach Trace Carroll, the Firebirds have the most excitement they have had in a long time. 

Even though they went 3-7 last season, the hype is real around the program. 

Chaparral has some big-time young players who can take another leap this season. 

The main one being 2029 quarterback Ryan Trocki, who is one of the best 2029 quarterbacks in Arizona and made several starts as a freshman last season.

In 7 games, Trocki threw for 912 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

With a full season, Trocki will impress many and show why he can be one of the top quarterbacks in the state. 

An offensive weapon Trocki will utilize is 2027 athlete Jayce Wilson.

Wilson had 383 rushing yards, 457 receiving yards, and 11 total touchdowns, showing he can be utilized in many different areas for the Firebirds. 

The duo between Trocki and Wilson can be dangerous in 2026. 

On defense, they will have more new faces, but some similar ones will return. 

2027 defensive back Luca Ugenti is coming off a stellar 2025 season. 

Ugenti had three interceptions, three passes deflected, and 45 total tackles. 

Chaparral is going to be a great watch this season, and they will likely find their way into the playoffs for the first time since the 2021 season.

Seton Catholic

The Seton Catholic Sentinels will look to make the playoffs for the third straight season.

In 2025, Seton Catholic went 4-7 and made the postseason.

The Sentinels would lose in round one; however, it was to the eventual 3A champions in Round Valley.

One thing Seton Catholic will focus on improving is region play, as they went 1-4 in their region. 

For the Sentinels, they will return a few important players. 

Importantly for Seton Catholic, they get back their signal caller in 2027 quarterback Patrick Connelly. 

Conelly had a solid season in 2025.

He threw for 1054 yards with 15 passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown.

Seton Catholic getting their leader on offense returning will be huge. 

They also have 2028 running back Coree Edwards coming back.

Edwards was fantastic on the ground for the Sentinels as a sophomore.

He rushed for 1,020 yards and also had 11 total touchdowns on offense. 

Seton Catholic could have an even better 2026 season, given the offensive production returning. 

The Sentinels will be an interesting team to watch in 3A this season as they have a chance to get back over .500 and make a deeper playoff run.

North Canyon

The North Canyon Rattlers are coming off a great turnaround in their program.

In 2024, North Canyon went 0-10, but in 2025 improved to 5-5. 

It was a big season for the Rattlers, and they could look to build off the great season they had in 2025. 

North Canyon also returns some players who helped the turnaround in the program.

2027 running back/linebacker AJ Garcia was a big reason for his team going .500. 

On defense, he totaled 41 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two sacks. 

Then, offensively, Garcia rushed for 1,082 yards and 12 touchdowns.

In his first full season as the starter, Garcia did not disappoint. 

Another key piece is the 2027 linebacker, Kevin Silva Lopez.

Lopez is coming off a great junior season.

Being all over the field, Lopez had 80 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and six sacks. 

Those are just a couple of the players who helped the rebuild come to life in the second year under head coach Anthony Johns. 

North Canyon is a team to watch in 4A this season, as they could be a team that takes that next jump into the playoffs. 

Prescott

The Prescott Badgers are coming off a 4-6 season in which they just missed out on the playoffs. 

This season, the expectation is to get to a winning record and find a spot in the playoffs. 

There are players who can help get them to those goals. 

2027 linebacker Easton Shy is one of those players. 

Shy had 75 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and also recovered two fumbles. 

One thing the Badgers will also try to improve in their region play.

They went 2-4 in their tough region and can significantly help their playoff chances with 3 or 4 region wins.

Bradshaw Mountain

The Bradshaw Mountain Mountain Bears will try to have their sixth straight winning season.

For the past few years, Bradshaw Mountain has been a consistent program. 

They have also been in the playoffs for five straight seasons. 

In 2025, they had one of their best regular seasons in program history with an 8-2 mark and the #3 seed, but were shocked in the Round of 16 by #14 Coconino.

The Bears, though, have some key players who will help them back to the playoffs and make a run. 

A player who could have a bigger role is 2027 running back Jon’te Jones. 

Jones was the backup running back in 2025, but still had an impressive year when given the opportunity. 

He rushed for 465 yards, 7.9 yards per carry, and five touchdowns. 

For their defensive unit, they will have 2028 defensive lineman Alexzander Mendibles returning. 

As a sophomore had 85 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and five sacks. 

Higley Showcase

The Higley Knights look to keep building off their great success. 

One thing is for certain every season, and it is that Higley will put together a great football team. 

The Knights will look for a new signal caller to lead the way this season. 

2028 quarterback Cayden Schlueter has been taking almost all of the first-team reps this offseason as 2027 quarterback/athlete Anthony Palka is being prepared to play wide receiver in college. 

Schlueter will have some great offensive weapons around him to help him excel in the 2026 season. 

Palka is a weapon that can be used in many different ways for the Knights. 

Palka is a do-it-all player who will be dangerous this season. 

The 2025 season saw Palka have 444 total yards and 11 total touchdowns on the season in just 7 games. 

Another weapon is 2027 wide receiver Allan Turner. 

Turner in 2025 had 298 receiving yards and three touchdowns, but should have a bigger role this season. 

During spring ball and track season, Turner has been crushing it, and he is in line to have a breakout year. 

On defense, Higley returns 2027 linebacker Dax White. 

White is one of the leaders on defense and should have a big senior season. 

Last year, White had 135 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and five sacks. 

Alongside White in the linebacker room is 2027 Brysen Wilkinson.

Wilkinson has had a fantastic offseason, winning MVP honors at the UA Next Phoenix Showcase and earning his first two D-I offers from New Mexico and Idaho.

The third D-I level player on defense for the Knights is 2027 defensive back and 3-star San Diego State commit Nas Eason.

Eason has great length, technique, and speed and could be the steal of the 2027 class if the Aztecs are able to keep him and prevent him from flipping to a P4 school.

Higley, like they are every year, will be a dangerous team that is well-coached and is expected to do great things.

Williams Field Showcase

Williams Field

The Williams Field Blackhawks aim to build off a great 2025 season.

In a tough 6A region, the Blackhawks went 8-4, made it to the open playoffs, and won their first round game versus Pinnacle before running to eventual state champion Basha. 

Williams Field will always field a competitive team, given the history and coaching the program has. 

A player who can take a huge step is 2027 quarterback Dom Barjona. 

Barjona threw for 2,208 yards and 18 total touchdowns in his first full season as the starter. 

Entering his senior season and with a full year under his belt, Barjona could be in store for a big year and lead Williams Field back to a winning record. 

2027 wide receiver and 3-star Arizona commit Trey Smith is also a top-tier target who can build off his 2025 season.

Smith is a speedster who hauled in 695 yards and three touchdowns. 

Williams Field graduated a great run game group that included elite offensive linemen (Collin Campbell - Michigan St, Malachi Joyner - Arizona, & Omar Kaba - Idaho) and running backs (Courshawn Hill - San Jose St & Q Skillings - Illinois St). 

However, the Black Hawks' key returners in the pass game could give them a different look this season.

Expect Williams Field to be another top team and make a playoff push in either the open or 6A bracket. 

Queen Creek

The Queen Creek Bulldogs have new leadership at the helm.

Queen Creek hired Steve Huber to be the next head coach to keep the winning ways for the Bulldogs. 

It will be a new look for Queen Creek, but an exciting one nonetheless. 

Last year tar quarterback Tait Reynolds missed most of the season and relied on an underclassman to take over. 

2028 quarterback Sawyer Hales is taking over the reins. 

Hales last season threw for 1,585 yards and 17 touchdowns in relief of the injured Reynolds and looks to put together a great junior season.

During the offseason, Hales has made great improvements in his game and is poised for a breakout year.

Queen Creek is also adding a new weapon out of state.

Transferring in from St. Pius X (NM) is 2027 wide receiver Cayl Cox-Liggins. 

Cayl Cox-Liggins put together a season last year that saw him haul in 1,161 yards and 12 touchdowns, and he should be an automatic top target for the Bulldogs. 

Another key returner is 2028 defensive back Colton Cox.

Cox was elite last year, totaling 50 tackles, 10 passes deflected, and six interceptions last season. 

Queen Creek may look different, but they are still a team to be on the watch for as they have developed a winning culture. 

ALA Queen Creek

The ALA Queen Creek Patriots look to build off of their second-half of the season momentum.

ALA Queen Creek began 2025 0-5, and many had doubts about what kind of team they would be for the rest of the year. 

However, in their last eight games, they went 6-2.

The Patriots even won a playoff game and look to bring that momentum into 2026 and have a full year of winning football games.

ALA Queen Creek will look at some of the leaders on the team to do that.

2027 tight end/defensive end Talan Scott is on the rise. 

Scott has had a busy offseason as he has had multiple recruiting visits and a plethora of P4 offers.

In 2025, Scott caught 45 catches for 468 yards and eight touchdowns in a talented receiver room and had 7.5 sacks on defense.

Another key returner is 2027 defensive back and Air Force commit Bryce Devlin.

Devlin was a key piece on the defense as he had 47 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and three interceptions. 

For the past few seasons, ALA Queen Creek has continued to put together winning seasons and playoff berths, and looks to continue that trend in 2026. 

CUSD Showcase

Arizona College Prep

The Arizona College Prep Knights are coming off a fantastic season in their first year in the 5A conference. 

The Knights made their presence felt in 5A as they went 9-3 and won a playoff game. 

ACP will have a new head coach, though, as they hired former Highland DC Jacob Rutter, who was the team's DC and track coach in 2024.

Rutter made a great unit at Highland and ACP should immediately have a great defense and overall keep the great culture intact. 

The Knights will have some new faces making plays this season; however, they had a good number of productive seniors in 2025. 

2027 running back J'Cory Horne will look to take on a heavy workload this season. 

In a split backfield last season, Horne still rushed for 589 yards and eight touchdowns. 

With Horne getting most of the carries this season, he could be due for a 1K yard year. 

At quarterback this season, ACP will look at 2027 Gunnar Schmidt to take over.

Schmidt looked great during spring ball, and they will rely on him to take over the duties of being QB1 after throwing for 456 yards, 7 TDs (1 rush), and just 2 INTs in 4 starts in relief of graduated starter Evan Heinrich.

Even though ACP may look a little different this season, they should still be one of the best teams in 5A and can improve off a great 2025 year.

Casteel

The Casteel Colts are coming off a historic season in school history.

In 2025, the Colts were crowned the 6A champions. 

However, they look to build off the season and not let it be a one-off year.

Head coach Joe Bushman took over Casteel and completely revamped the Colts into a team many fear to face when on the schedule.

Another person who moved the needle was 3-star 2027 quarterback Tee Smith. 

Smith is one of the most dynamic and frankly, one of the most entertaining players to watch in Arizona.

In nine games last season, Smith threw for 2325 yards, rushed for 923, and had 37 total touchdowns. 

Smith had to sit out the first half of the regular season due to transferring, but when he took control of the offense, he was unstoppable.

With a full season, Smith should once again be a dominant force on the field.

Another great offensive piece for Casteel coming back is 2027 athlete Troy Jauregui.

Jauregui, like Smith, was explosive for the Colts. 

In 2025, Jauregui had 808 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on offense, and he was one of the best return men in the state last season. 

Adding to Smith's weapons on offense is 2027 receiver and 3-star NAU commit RJ Gory, who transferred in from Salpointe this offseason.

The Colts have a fun, energetic team that is a must-watch on Friday nights due to players like Jauregui, Gory, and Smith.

Casteel is expected to have a great season, and they could even be a top-eight team this season and battle in the Open Division playoffs. 

Basha

The Basha Bears sit atop Arizona high school football.

Last season, the Bears won the Open Division title, proving they are the best team in Arizona in 2025. 

While Basha had many great seniors, they still have a plethora of talent that will once again make them one of the teams to beat in 2026. 

2027 quarterback Jake Rogers will be the full-time starter for Basha in 2026. 

Brodie Vehrs went down with an injury during his senior season, and they called upon Rogers to step up, and he did. 

In 2025, Rogers threw for 1545 yards and had 16 total touchdowns, and had a stellar performance during the Open Division championship game versus Chandler. 

Rogers will have some weapons this season. 

2027 wide receiver Jaden Baldwin and 2028 wide receiver Makai Nelson are just two players who will make an impact through the air. 

Baldwin in 2025, hauled in 820 yards and six touchdowns, and will have an even bigger role this season, and could break the 1K mark. 

Nelson transferred in from Mountain Pointe, and while he hasn’t registered a varsity snap yet after sitting all of last season, he is explosive. 

Being impressive during the offseason, Nelson has made his name known and will be a top target in Arizona this year.

Then, of course, there is 2027 4-star Texas running back commit Noah Roberts.

Roberts is one of the top running backs in the country for a reason.

In 2025, he rushed for 761 yards, had 562 receiving yards, and 14 total touchdowns on offense. 

On defense, 2028 defensive lineman Landen Wade has made great strides during the offseason. 

Wade is a 5-star prospect and has made his name known nationwide. 

Last season, he had 12 tackles for loss and four sacks playing behind Wyoming OLB/DE and 2025 BJ Media Defensive Lineman of the year Dante Bruley and 3-star '27 DE Caleb Jordan, but should have a breakout campaign during 2026.

The Bears have so much talent that it is impossible to name them all without turning this section into an autobiography.

Basha will likely continue its dominance in Arizona and not just be a top team in the state, but one of the best teams in the nation.

Perry

The Perry Pumas are beginning a new chapter. 

In the offseason, they hired Mesa's Jeremy Hathcock as their new head coach, and he brings in experience and winning. 

While the Pumas made the postseason, they went just 6-6 in 2025 with a 50-point loss to rival Basha and are looking for a lot more in 2026.

2027 quarterback and 3-star Boise State commit Kael Snyder hopes to lead them to that.

Snyder threw for 2,720 yards and 27 touchdowns as a junior.

Being a top recruit in the state, Snyder will be relied upon to lead the offense to great things. 

The Pumas are also adding 3-star 2027 wide receiver Braylon Kasper to the team alongside 3-star 2028 wide receiver Amos Augustine.

Unfortunately, Kasper dealt with injuries for most of the 2025 season, but with a fully healthy season, he could be due for a big year. 

2027 slot receiver Jaylen Singleton also had a great day at the CUSD Showcase

Singleton was 3rd on the team with 378 yards and 5 TDs last season.

Perry is also bringing back a key defensive piece in 2027 defensive back Myles Polite. 

Polite is coming off a great season where he snagged five interceptions. 

The Pumas will have a solid team with a lot of hype around them.

Perry will look to turn the page with new leadership and become a bigger threat in 6A.

Northwest Valley Showcase

Sandra Day O’Connor

The O’Connor Eagles look to keep their playoff streak alive.

Even though the Eagles went 3-7 in the 2025 regular season, they still made the playoffs due to their quality wins in a tough 6A conference. 

O’Connor will always be a staple program, and they look to continue that with some key players returning. 

One thing the Eagles get back is their dominant run game. 

2027 running back and 4-star Washington commit Jermey Adeyanju had a great junior year.

He rushed for 1,167 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. 

In the passing game, 2027 quarterback/athlete Brodie Moore and 2027 wide receiver Jaxon Simons, who both transferred in from Brophy before the 2025 season, will lead the way.

Moore rushed for 325 yards and 2 TDs while passing for 317 yards and 2 TDs in 5.5 games after taking over as the starter in Week 6.

Simons did not see a ton of targets in the run-heavy offense last season, but looked very sharp during the showcase.

In year one under head coach Ben Kullos, the Eagles had a very strong 2029 freshman class. Among those that could have an immediate impact are linebacker Jayden Wingler and offensive lineman Jon Venero, who are already in the 900 and 1,000 lb club, respectively, in the weight room.

'29 QB Arnel Ahmetovic has also looked impressive this offseason and '29 RB/slot Colton Fahndrich could work his way into the lineup as well.

It seems O’Connor is entering a new era of players, and it will be intriguing to see how some of the new/younger players fare when their name is called in 2026. 

Cactus

The Cactus Cobras have been a staple in the 5A conference. 

In the last two seasons combined, Cactus is 18-7, and in 2024, they were the 5A state runner-ups. 

Last season, they lost in the first round, but it was to the eventual 5A champions in Desert Mountain. 

Overall, Cactus has been a great program in 5A for the past few seasons. 

They look to continue that trend as they bring back some key pieces. 

2028 running back Nathaniel Linares was the lead running back for Cactus in 2025.

He rushed for 705 yards, had 7.7 yards per carry, and seven touchdowns on the ground. 

With some positions needing to be filled on offense, Linares could be called upon to take on a heavier workload, which could mean a breakout year for him.

Cactus will look to maintain their success since being moved up to 5A a few years ago as their roster will look very different than 2025.

Peoria

The Peoria Panthers aim to make it back into the postseason. 

Peoria made the 4A playoffs in 2025 after missing out in 2024. 

The Panthers went 5-0 in region play, earning a 9 seed in the 4A playoffs, and look to build off the regular season success they had last year.

In the first round of the playoffs, however, they lost to 24-seed Paradise Honors (who they dominated a few weeks prior). 

They are ready to put that loss in the rear view and make a deeper run in 2026.

To do so, they will rely on some key returning players.

The face of the program is 4-star 2027 wide receiver Dontay Tyson Jr. In 7 games, Tyson caught 37 passes for 448 yards and 7 TDs.

Another key returner for Peoria is 2028 running back Cristian Zarate. 

Zarate shared carries last season but still rushed for 959 yards and nine touchdowns. 

Given the opportunity, Zarate could easily break 1K yards and have a double digit touchdown year. 

Although the Panthers graduated starting QB Dominic Kramer, they have their next signal caller lined up in 2028 quarterback/athlete Jahvandre Zuhri, who transferred in from Moon Valley this offseason.

Zuhri threw for 611 yards and 6 TDs while rushing for 439 yards and 8 TDs as a freshman in 2024 before missing the 2025 season with injury.

Ultimately, the Panthers will try to have their fourth straight winning season and make the playoffs for the third time in four years. 

Boulder Creek

The Boulder Creek Jaguars will try to have their first winning season since 2023. 

Last year, Boulder Creek went 3-7 and missed the playoffs. 

One positive to take away, though, is going 2-2 in region play. 

Another positive is the return of 2027 defensive back Ethan Raber. 

Raber was solid in coverage last season and had two interceptions, two passes deflected, and 40 total tackles. 

Boulder Creek plays in a tough 6A conference, and they had multiple competitive games against some really good competition. 

With some new young players stepping up, they could be back.

It wasn’t too long ago when the Jaguars went 6-5 and made the playoffs, and they could try to recapture that magic in 2026, their third year with Joshua Bahr as the head coach.

Mountain Ridge

The Mountain Ridge Mountain Lions are coming off a tough 2025 season.

Mountain Ridge went 1-9 and didn’t win during region play.

With many starters graduating and 2027 RB/slot Easton McClanahan transferring to O'Connor, they are going to need their young guys to step up more than ever if they are going to get things turned around in 2026.

Tempe Union Showcase

Tempe

The Tempe turnaround is real.

That has been the motto for the Tempe Buffaloes for a few seasons now, and it is coming to life. 

In the 2025 season, Tempe had a winning record for the first time in a while after going 6-4 in their first season back in 4A after several 3A seasons.

Tempe head coach Sean Freeman has instilled a culture to bring Tempe football back to the glory days, and he has done a fantastic job.

In 2026, the Buffaloes aim to make the 4A playoffs. 

For the upcoming season, Tempe is bringing back a great wide receiver core. 

2027 Nehemiah Calvin could be in store for a big senior campaign.

He is coming off a season that saw him have 613 receiving yards and five touchdowns. 

Tempe is also returning a two-way player in 2027 athlete Jaiden Hart-Rodriguez.

Hart-Rodriguez last season had 288 receiving yards and four touchdowns. On defense, he had 21 total tackles and four interceptions. 

2028 Alex Lara is expected to have a big junior season this fall as well.

Lara totaled 334 receiving yards and 5 TDs in his first two varsity seasons.

Tempe is building something special, and with key players returning, they could achieve even more.

Expect Tempe to once again be fighting for a playoff spot in 2026. 

Marcos de Niza

The Marcos de Niza Padres are coming off a historic turnaround season.

In 2024, the Pirates only won two games, but in 2025, they flipped the script and won 10 games, advancing to the 4A quarterfinals. 

They went 5-0 in region play and defeated Paradise Honors in the Round of 16. 

Marcos de Niza will also get back some great players. 

2028 wide receiver JD DuBose caught 35 passes for 764 yards and six touchdowns.

DuBose was great as just a sophomore and will look to continue to improve.

Overall, he will be a key piece in the Pirates' air attack. 

On the ground, 2027 running back Christian Garcia is back.

Garcia was dominant even in a split backfield last season.

He rushed for 1,159 yards and found the end zone a total of 19 times in 2025. 

For the defensive side, 2027 linebacker Brian Irick is one of the leaders on the team.

Irick was all over the field last season as he totaled 114 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.

The Pirates hope to build off the momentum and standard they built in 2025 and continue to get wins.

Desert Vista

The Desert Vista Thunder aim to build off their best season since 2021. 

Desert Vista went 4-6 in 2025, and it was the best season they have had in four years. 

With some impact players coming back, the Thunder will look to make a push for the playoffs. 

One impact player coming back is 2027 wide receiver Jaeden Williams. 

Williams is one of the main weapons on offense for Desert Vista. 

Last season, he hauled in 536 yards and eight touchdown snags. 

With some seniors graduating, Williams could be called upon to take on an even bigger role in the offense. 

On defense, 2027 defensive back Eli Toms is gaining traction. 

Last year, Toms had 52 total tackles.

This offseason Toms recruiting has blown up as he has received multiple D-1 offers during the spring. 

Desert Vista will look to improve as they did in 2025 and get over .500. 

Brophy Showcase

Brophy

The Brophy Broncos will be a new look team in 2026.

Brophy will have a lot of new faces making big steps, as they had a big graduating senior class last season.

Even though they will seek production from new players, they still have the coaching and a few key returners that will help them get wins.

3-star 2027 wide receiver Donovan McNabb Jr. is in line to be a main weapon on the Broncos' offense.

In his junior season, he hauled in 280 yards and four touchdowns playing behind Stanford WR Daylen Sharper and Notre Dame WR Devin Fitzgerald.

2026 could be the year that McNabb becomes a focal point of the offense.

Another pass catcher looking to take the next step is 3-star 2027 tight end Jaylen Fitzgerald. 

Fitzgerald is a big target in the Broncos' offense and could really break out this season if he can stay healthy.

3-star 2027 athlete Ryder Noche is also expected to go back to also playing offense this season after finishing second on the team with 83 tackles and leading the team with 3 interceptions at defensive back last season.

The linebacker room will also be a strength for the Broncos as leading tackler Braxton Tate and fellow 2027 Greg Riddell return for their senior season.

Tate recorded 91 tackles and 3 TFLs in 12 games while Riddell recorded 62 tackles and 6.5 TFLs in just 6 games last season.

The Broncos also have three young offensive linemen returning alongside 3-star 2027 offensive lineman Shane Reiersgaard.

2029 offensive lineman Colin Itule and Yuen Taufetee had impressive years as just freshmen and will be the staples for Brophy in the trenches once again this year. Fellow 2029 Cody Itule has also been taking first team reps during the spring and has looked great.

Another key 2029 on the team is defensive back Bishop Allen.

For Brophy, last year Allen had 40 total tackles, four passes deflected, and one interception.

Allen was great as a freshman and is already one of the best players in the 2029 class. 

In their 2028 class, Julian Ferrari and Xavier Sandhu are defensive backs with D-I offers that had their seasons cut short by injuries last year. Ferrari is also expected to contribute on offense at receiver as well.

Brophy will have a lot of young guys taking leaps this season.

The present and future are bright for the Broncos.

Notre Dame Prep

The Notre Dame Prep Saints are coming off their first .500 season since 2022. 

For Notre Dame Prep, 2025 was a step in the right direction after back to back losing seasons in 2023 and 2024.

The Saints went 6-6 and won their first round playoff game versus Maricopa, but lost a close one to Horizon in the Round of 16.

The next step for the Saints is to keep building off their previous success and have a winning record in 2026. 

Helping them do that is 2027 running back/defensive back Decker Haskins-Smith.

On offense, Haskins-Smith rushed for 1,177 yards with nine total touchdowns. While on defense, he totaled 72 tackles, five tackles for loss, and 10 passes deflected. 

Another defensive contributor is 2027 defensive back Matthew Higby.

In 2025, Higby had 21 total tackles, five passes deflected, and was a ball hawk with six interceptions.

Like most teams, the Saints had a productive senior class and lost some crucial pieces. And with key players Nathan Jones and Gunnar Perry both transferring out, they will need some new faces to step up if they want to be above .500 again with a tough schedule.

Horizon Showcase

Marana

The Marana Tigers are coming off back-to-back 10-win seasons that they hope to build on.

In 2025, 4-seeded Marana went 10-2 and defeated Yuma Catholic in the 5A Round of 16 after a perfect regular season and open division appearance in 2024. 

The past two seasons have been inspiring for Marana as they look to keep inching closer and closer to the 5A title. 

Marana will have a few key returners that will help them continue the momentum they have built. 

2027 wide receiver/defensive back Sean Roebuck was dominant last season.

For the Tigers in 2025, Roebuck caught 89 catches for 1,076 yards and eight touchdowns while recording 5 interceptions and 7 pass breakups.

Roebuck was not the only great receiver last year; coming back as 2027 wide receiver, Jaxsun Sharp is also coming back.

Sharp had 849 receiving yards and was an end zone threat as he had 15 touchdown snags. 

Marana is also returning a two-way star to the program. 

2028 running back/linebacker and 2025 BJ Media Two-Way Player of the Year Jefferey Smith III had one of the best seasons in 5A last season.

On defense, Smith III had 108 tackles, four passes deflected, and two interceptions.

Then on the ground, he had 1,094 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.

While Marana will need to find production in some areas of the field, they will have a great group in 2026.

The Tigers will once again be a team that can win double-digit games and make a run in 5A. 

Saguaro

The Saguaro Sabercats are ready to be back.

Saguaro made a splash hire when they got Butch Goncharoff to be their new head coach.

Goncharoff knows what it takes to win.

With Bellevue High School (WA), Goncharoff won 11 titles and made them a powerhouse with players like Myles Jack and Cardinals safety Buddha Baker coming through the school during his tenure.

Rebuilding Saguaro is going to be a challenge, however, as they have gone a combined 4-16 the last two seasons after winning the 2021 Open Division title and the 2023 6A title with massive numbers of players transferring out since January of 2024.

A lot has been said about the Sabercats; however, they still have players and coaches bought into the program.

Something that must be celebrated is the 21 players who showed up during the Horizon showcase.

The players have seen a lot of scrutiny on their program in the last few months, but they are the ones who showed up and are proud to represent their school.

Under Goncharoff, Saguaro is ready to start a new chapter of great football and restore the success that earned them the nickname of "SagU."

Horizon

The Horizon Huskies will be a team that contends in 5A this season.

Horizon is always a team that does great in 5A, but this year, they could get over the hump and make it back to the state title game. 

A key component is 2028 quarterback Kai Knudson.

Knudson transferred in from Brophy and will look to be QB1 at Horizon when he is eligible. 

So far during spring ball and 7’s, Knudson has been super impressive and should have a great season for Horizon.

Helping out Knudson will be 2027 wide receiver James Klopfenstein. 

Klopfenstein had a great 2025 season, but should be due for an even better 2026 season.

Last year, Klopfenstein hauled in 570 yards, rushed for 270, and had 20 total touchdowns on the year. 

On the ground game, the Huskies also welcome back 2029 running back and 2025 BJ Media Freshman of the Year Dylan Brush. 

In a running back committee last season, Brush was still dominant. 

In 2025, he rushed for 902 yards, had 8.9 yards per carry, and nine touchdowns. 

Overall, the offense for the Huskies will be must-watch.

Horizon will always be a great team, but in 2026, it seems they are building a team that could be the likes of other contending teams in 5A. 

Desert Mountain

The defending 5A champs are reloading to try to defend their title. 

The 2025 season was a historic one for the Desert Mountain Mountain Lions.

Desert Mountain, as the #9 seed last season, ran the table and completed the season atop the rest of 5A as they hoisted the state championship trophy for the first time.

This wasn’t a one-off thing for Desert Mountain.

The Mountain Lions are returning some high-quality starters. 

One of those is 2028 running back/linebacker Easton Conner. 

Conner was a workhorse for Desert Mountain last season and was a big contributor to the title run. 

Last year, Conner rushed for 964 yards and had 18 rushing touchdowns to go along with it. On the defensive side, he also had 12 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Another defensive player making his return is 3-star 2027 defensive back Hassan Smith.  

Smith was locked down last season, having two interceptions, eight passes deflected, and 30 total tackles. 

Smith has garnered a lot of Group of 6 and FCS interest, but BJ and multiple other media members/recruiting analysts believe he is a Power 4 talent.

Desert Mountain is eyeing another return to the state title game as they have built a sustainable program. 

When December rolls around, don’t be surprised to see Desert Mountain back at the big dance.