Everyone gets an authentic look Tuesday at the first football power-rankings and Open Division rankings this season. While most folks are salivating over what the Open Division tournament produces come Nov. 2, count me more interested in what awaits in conference tournaments in 6A, 5A and 4A and the usual competitiveness of 3A and 2A.

6A-4A have become open-and-shut tournaments a good part of this decade. That, of course, is why in great part the Open Division was created. The prospect of playoffs where destination schools might not be part of conference playoff equations is a godsend. The conference playoffs as a result will likely be a throwback for guys like me who enjoy competitive football without the glamour set aside for schools who have recruiters trampling a path through coaches offices to inquire about multiple college-level talent. The Open Division will have its own intrigue -- finally  knowing who is the best of the recent elite and that's fine, too.

But even in Hamilton's heyday for a decade-plus at the big-school level, the Huskies weren't a lock to win the big-school title. Sure they've played in 11 title games, but their record in those games is 6-5. Red Mountain, Mountain View, Brophy, Desert Vista, Centennial and Mountain Pointe have won big-school titles in the new millennium during Hamilton's reign. It's been all Chandler the last five years, with its four title-game wins (2014, 2016-2018), 18-1 mark in the last five postseasons and 21-5 in the playoffs this decade.

With the 6A Premier Region beginning region play this week its horde of unbeaten teams (Chandler, Hamilton and Brophy) will dwindle to one or perhaps none by season's end. How many qualify for the Open Division could even include a two-loss team. In the 5A San Tan Region three teams have two losses already (Williams Field, HIgley and Casteel) - albeit quality defeats all. Can Campo Verde (6-0) run the table with Maricopa, Williams Field, Higley and Casteel its remaining foes. It's a tall order, but who knows?

What I could easily envision in 6A is a competitive tourney and title game with the likes of several in the following group -- Highland, Perry, Hamilton, Brophy, Queen Creek, Liberty, Chaparral, Desert Vista in the mix. In 5A it wouldn't be all bad to see Notre Dame Prep not qualify for the Open Division even if the Saints go 10-0. Still should Notre Dame qualify for the Open Division it may take umbridge at not being worthy based on its two finals performances. The Saints have had a tough go in the finals the last two years. Throw in the possibility all the San Tan Region folks are left to the conference tourney, a field of Notre Dame, Campo Verde, Williams Field, Higley, Casteel, Horizon and perhaps Paradise Valley and Gilbert is worth watching battle for a trophy.

4A without Saguaro and or Salpointe could be entertaining as well. Desert Edge, Cactus, Sahuaro, Mesquite, Seton, Coconino, Peoria, Greenway, Marcos de Niza, Arcadia are a few that have strutted their stuff early. They'd conjur up a tournament worth viewing.

3A and 2A have held their own of late when it comes to competitive playoffs and champions. In the last five years eight different schools (Northwest Christian, Yuma Catholic, Casteel, Pusch Ridge, American Leadership-Queen Creek, Sabino, River Valley and Snowflake) have been the combatants in the 3A/D-IV title games. Eight out of 10 teams possible. This season looks no different at present the competition coming from ALA-Queen Creek, Benjamin Franklin, NWC, Valley Christian and Sabino to name a few. 2A doesn't appear to have the dominance Thatcher's brought the the last three years (titles 2016-2018), but the Eagles haven't fallen away as a contender either to go with the likes of Phoenix Christian, Santa Cruz Valley, Round Valley, St. Johns and Arizona Lutheran mixing it up pretty good thus far.

Buckle up. It's going to be a fun ride the final five weeks.

All games Oct. 4

6A

Perry (4-2) at Chandler (5-0) - Last year Chandler won, 45-34

Boulder Creek (3-2) at Chaparral (3-2) - Last year Chaparral won, 40-37

Queen Creek (5-1) at Corona del Sol (3-3) - Last year Queen Creek won,  45-24

Desert Vista (4-1) at Desert Ridge (2-4) - Last year Desert Vista won, 27-3

Brophy Prep (6-0) at Hamilton (6-0) -  Last year Brophy won, 14-13

Dobson (2-4) at Mesa (3-3) - Last year Mesa won, 56-13

Highland (4-2) at Mountain Pointe (1-4) - Last year, Mtn. Pointe won, 48-27

Westwood (1-5) at Mesa Mtn. View (2-4) - Last year Mtn. View won, 53-3

Pinnacle (4-1) at Sandra Day O'Connor (1-4) - Last year Pinnacle won, 52-23

Red Mountain (5-1) at Skyline (1-5) - Last year Red Mountain won, 28-14

5A

Higley (4-2) at Casteel (4-2) - Last year Casteel won, 56-24

Paradise Valley (5-0) at Desert Mountain (1-5) - Last year PV won, 28-20

North Canyon (1-5) at Horizon (4-1) -  Last year Horizon won, 65-13

Campo Verde (6-0) at Maricopa (3-3) - Last year Campo Verde won, 38-12

Notre Dame Prep (6-0) at McClintock (4-2) - Last year Notre Dame Prep won, 52-19

Gilbert (3-3) at Williams Field (4-2) - Last year Williams Field won, 20-14

4A

Saguaro (5-1) at Desert Edge (4-2) - Last year Saguaro won, 38-21

Combs (2-3) at Dysart (0-6) - Last year Combs won, 28-21

Seton Catholic (4-1) at Marcos de Niza (3-2) - Last year Seton won, 27-25 

Arcadia (5-1) at Mesquite (4-2) - Last year Mesquite won,  28-8

Peoria (4-1) at Poston Butte (3-2) - Last year Peoria won, 35-14

Tempe (3-2) at St. Mary's (2-3) - Last year Tempe won,  22-21

Apache Junction (3-2) at Washington (3-3) - Last year AJ won,  41-14

3A

San Tan Foothills (1-4) at American Leadership- Ironwood (0-6) - Last year San Tan Foothills won, 20-9  

Coolidge (4-1) at Florence (1-4)- Last year Forence won, 27-13 

Bourgade (4-1) at Gilbert Christian (4-2) - Last year Bourgade wno, 38-7 

Yuma Catholic (2-3) at Valley Christian (4-1) - Last year Valley Christian won, 35-28 

Fountain Hills (2-3) at American Leadership - Gilbert North (2-4) -Last year ALA-Gilbert North won, 15-10

2A

Scottsdale Christian (2-4) at Arizona Lutheran (5-1) - Last year Arizona Lutheran won, 49-20

Scottsdale Prep (2-2) at Sedona Red Rock (1-4) - Last year Scottsdale Prep won, 34-33

Chandler Prep (3-3) at San Manuel (1-4) - Last year Chandler Prep won, 36-14

Miami (3-2) at Tempe Prep (0-5) - Last year Miami won, 16-14 

1A

Arete Prep (3-3) at Ray (3-3) - Last year Arete Prep won, 43-8