The 1A 2025 rankings were first published in this year's Sollenberger magazine. 

1. HAYDEN: Superior, Hayden’s 2025 opening season opponent, is the priority. Making history can wait. “We work our butts off Monday through Thursday to be ready for Friday,” coach John Estrada said. “If it (new records) happens it happens.” The prohibitive favorite can become the first 8-man Arizona program to complete three consecutive seasons undefeated. Also, if it wins its first two games, Hayden will set a new 8-man win streak (26 games) record. The lore of Lorona figures to keep growing. RB/LB Kino Lorona is primed for another monster year. “I’ve had kids who were good on defense or offense only, but Kino has dominated on both sides,” Estrada said. “I haven’t seen that before in the 20 years I’ve coached.” Lorona (100 tackles last year) and backfield mate Tyler Garner led 1A in scoring last year, scoring a combined 62 TDs. The new starting QB is the tough-minded Darren Smith. Once new center Angelo Castillo, returning linemen Manny Aguirre and Javier Ortego and Smith are on the same page, good luck to opponents.

 

2. BAGDAD: The Sultans lack bodies but not talent. The smallest contingent since Dalton Mills took over Bagdad in 2011 will take the field this season. “I hope it’s just one of those years,” Mills said. RB D.J. Gramanaz (15 TDs last year), who moved, will be missed. But expect the team’s top scorer in 2024, the much stronger Thomas Rodriguez (RB), and leader, QB Ezrah Aguilar, to keep finding the end zone. To help avoid injuries, the Sultans will alter their offensive schemes, which should benefit WR/baseball star Destry Owings. The shifty junior was clutch down the stretch last year for the 2024 runner-up while leading the state with 12 INTs. Owings is 11 interceptions away from tying a state 1A record. Sr. LB Aubrey Oland, a state saddle bronc champ, and Sr. TE/DE Joey Kirchoff are two of Bagdad’s strong arms on defense. Aubrey Oland, the team’s third leading tackler in 2024, returns. “I think we are capable of reaching the final again,” Mills said.

 

3. MOGOLLON: Mogollon is filled to the Rim with seniors. Fourteen to be exact. That’s a luxury in 1A, and not appearing in last year’s 1A championship—after four consecutive trips to the finals—riled up those Mustangs. So they took a page out of Hayden’s book, Mogollon’s Homecoming opponent this season, and bulked up. The Porter cousins, Brody (returning Region Player of the Year) and Kaleb, are just two of the senior forces. Brody, a fullback, is the bruiser with speed to boot. Kaleb is the big-play threat. Bank on Mogollon to keep feeding its playmakers just like it did near the end of last season. Making sure that unfolds is the team’s captain, 6-3 Sr. QB Quinn Tenney, who will also have 6-4, 245-pound Sr. TE Gavin Owens, Sr. WR Yovanni Suarez and new playmaker Parker Reidhead at the ready. The team has to replace just two starters on defense. Kaleb, the top tackler for the Mustangs in 2024, is set for another productive two-way campaign.

 

4. ST. DAVID: The Tigers graduated some speed but not their drive. A region title and run at the 1A crown are the objectives for the Tigers this season. QB Vincent Ciccariello didn’t play like a freshman last year while throwing for a 1A best 28 TDs with just three interceptions. His No. 1 and 2 options are gone, but some of the team’s star power is expected to fill the void. RB/LB Chase Pacheco, the team’s second leading rusher and scorer last year, 6-4, 205-pound TE Keston Richards and the very fast Isaac Wilson are Ciccariello’s likely go-tos this year. Another potential receiving threat is one of 1A’s heavy-hitters, Tot Pacheco. The 5-11, 215-pound junior bullied his way to a state best 21.5 sacks and 43 tackles for loss last year as a nose guard. Pacheco might move to DE this season with the addition of 6-0, 260-pound Nebraska transfer Connor Posey. And last but certainly not least is Cedar Haynie, who rushed for 1,000 yards and scored 20 TDs in 2024.

 

5. MOHAVE ACCELERATED: Coach Adam Gibson’s up-and-comers were blowing up his Facebook page this offseason. The how-to-improve requests came from a group that figures to help the program reach the postseason again. The Patriots bid adieu last season to a core that played pivotal roles the previous four seasons. But this year’s sophomores and juniors can’t wait to show out as well. Don’t overlook seniors Owen Honegger, Laisyc Conlogue and Jerry Torres, though. The deceptively athletic Honegger’s catch radius is impressive. Conlogue, a TE/DE/LB and captain last year, is the team’s “calm presence amidst the chaos.” Torres “brings the boom” at linebacker and running back. Jr. Rylan Krahenbuhl took over at QB in Week 3 last year and exceeded expectations after his baptism by fire. Mohave Accelerated’s aerial attack should start clicking once its young linemen gel. The sooner the better, because there’s a 6-3, 200-pound junior WR/DE/LB, Drake Knight, that the Patriots want to unleash.

 

6. WILLIAMS: No more Mr. Nice Guys. The Vikings are an onery and committed bunch this year. Back-to-back losing seasons for the first time in 20 years will do that to a program. The transformation started up front, where the quick feet and 300-pound frame of center Brandon Barrera and his senior sidekicks, Russell Skinner and Brandon Rico, set the tone. Keeping QB Jack Dent, who was injured at times last year, upright is a must. And so is getting the ball to Super Mario (Mario Pedraza), a three-year starter. There’s only seven seniors but about 40 players on the roster. The freshman and sophomore classes will supply the depth as well as some talent. Junior Kyle Mendoza hit a growth spurt and is poised for a breakout year at DE/TE. Jr. WR/DB Josh Rue-Wilbur (50 tackles last year) is the team’s best lockdown corner. The Winchester twins, Jacob and Logan, will help out on both sides of the ball, including at linebacker. “There’s more excitement this year than in the past,” 16-year head coach Jeff Brownlee said. “We are ready to go.”

 

7. SUPERIOR: Head coach Elias Olmos loves to construct. The Boeing employee is installing the game plans with input from three-year starters yearning for playoff success. Olmos is in his third year of reconstructing his alma-mater, using some of the same concepts his former head coach followed to build a champion. The best part for Olmos is that his boys are all in. “I appreciate their buy in,” the coach said. “They are doing everything I ask of them and appreciate that and trusting us as a staff.” Superior also trusts Sr. QB Antonio Lopez and Sr. RB Andrew Blair. Lopez’s experience is allowing Superior to expand its playbook once again. Blair, the fastest Panther, is also a workhorse with a high football IQ at linebacker. Superior only needs to replace a guard and WR on offense. The reliable Gabe Ochoa (OL/DL) will show the new guard the ropes. On defense, Superior only lost a safety and defensive end. But Mr. Do It All Ryland Duarte and DE/TE Adam Sandoval will do all they can to step in.

 

8. DESERT HEIGHTS: The Coyotes are making inroads in north Glendale despite the bigger programs in the area. Last year, Desert Heights reached the AIA playoffs for the first time. The next step for coach Kendrick Felix and his crew is to win their first AIA playoff game. They’ll attempt to do so with a more balanced attack this season. With 6-5 Mason Wicker still manning the QB spot, the spread, the bread and butter of the Felix’s offense, isn’t being shelved. But his ground attack tallied more than 1,000 yards last year for the first time and will be a viable option again this year. “(RB/WR) Justin Aguon is going to be the man this year,” Felix said. “His field vision and ability to cut will be amazing.” When targeting receivers’ breadbaskets, Wicker’s top options, Mateo Kindler (10 sacks last year), Jeremiah Fowler and Justuce Grabarec, are each capable of weaving through defenses. If its new linemen can rise to the challenge, Desert Heights is capable of reaching new heights.

 

9. SALOME: After an uncharacteristic 4-5 campaign, coach Bryan McCarty is in a better place after assessing what went wrong. “I feel a little rejuvenated,” he said. “We’ll make it better and family oriented. We’ll have an Us vs. The World mentality. We’ll have the same fire and passion our program is known for.” That’s great, because a daunting regular season schedule lies ahead. It helps that 12 starters, including every lineman, re-upped for the challenge. One of Salome’s centerpieces, 6-4, 240-pound Chris Smith, is moving from QB to TE. The leader with a 3.9 GPA is getting college looks at TE. After a productive summer, Tyler Avila, who split time at QB last year, wants to establish himself as a dual threat and the likely full-time QB this season. Smith will still see some time in the backfield along with the “super quick” Brandon Navarro (RB/WR/DB). The Frogs last year suffered their first losing season since 2009 but still made the playoffs.

 

10. VALLEY UNION: Are the Blue Devils returning to prominence? Time will tell. But the program did make some noise in its last two seasons, finishing with winning records in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2016-17. Give fourth-year coach Skyler Hill and his staff credit for starting to revive programs. A couple of Valley Union’s coaches helped a local junior high launch a football program. A product of that school, Myles Richardson, is currently a Valley Union senior star. The elusive back also will play linebacker and is one of Valley Union’s six two-way players. With about only 18 players on the roster, depth is a concern. Richardson also will play QB in some sets. Watch out also for downhill runner Yahir Luna on offense while he’s not lining up next to Richardson on defense. Another ironman who doesn’t leave the field, Ivan Rosales, suffered a hand injury last year but came back late last season. The lineman is fully healthy and ready to do damage as well. “We are progressing every year and instilling the culture,” Hill said.