By Don Ketchum

It’s Week 3 and counting for Arizona’s high school football teams.

Here is a look at some of the top games for teams in Scottsdale, Phoenix, the southwest, northwest and north Valley, and northern Arizona . . .

Lakeside Blue Ridge (3-0, Division IV, Section I) at Snowflake (2-0, DIV, SI) – Blue Ridge continues to march toward a second straight state crown, but defeating a team that wants to prove it belongs in the  title conversation will be no easy task.

Phoenix Northwest Christian (2-0, DV, SII) at Phoenix Scottsdale Christian (2-0, DV, SII) – Buoyed by its strong defense, Northwest Christian has its sights on running the table and recapturing the title that slipped from its grasp a year ago. Scottsdale Christian, coming off one-sided wins over Camp Verde and Fountain Hills, is trying to re-establish its program under coach Willie Dudley.

Glendale Apollo (2-0, DII, SI) at Glendale Ironwood (2-0, DII, SI) – If Apollo misses graduated quarterback Jon Brown, it certainly has been hard to tell in the first two weeks. The Hawks’ offense appears to be humming along nicely. Led by its big offensive line, Ironwood continues to flatten people.

Tempe (2-0, DIII, SIII) at Scottsdale Saguaro (1-1, DIII, SIII) – Tempe, led by coach Brian Walker, is 2-0 for the first time in a long time. The Buffaloes have survived under pressure with close wins over Tempe McClintock and San Tan Valley Poston Butte, but Saguaro is even more formidable. The defending state champion Sabercats were stunned by Phoenix Paradise Valley in their opener, then gave new coach Jay Mohns his first win by holding on against Phoenix Thunderbird last week.

Glendale Cactus (1-1, DIII, SII) at Peoria (1-1, DIII, SII) – Cactus gave Bakersfield, Calif., a run for its money before falling in California 44-32 last week, and now gears up for the annual contest against its top rival from the Peoria District. Peoria, which rebounded from its opening loss to Glendale Apollo with a win over Phoenix Moon Valley last week, will need to shore up its defense to survive this one.

Anthem Boulder Creek (1-1, DI, SIII) at Prescott (2-0, DII, SIII) – New Prescott coach Cody Collett has instilled an aggressive, confident attitude in his team – here we come, see if you can stop us. The Badgers have rolled up big wins over Prescott Valley Bradshaw Mountain and Glendale Deer Valley. Running back Brady Mengarelli has rushed for 547 yards and seven touchdowns, including a school-record 304 against Deer Valley. Boulder Creek is seeking to battle back after a loss to powerful Phoenix Brophy Prep.

Phoenix Greenway (1-1, DIII, SII) at Avondale Agua Fria (2-0, DIII, SIII) – Agua Fria could be one of the division’s sleepers in 2012, but must continue to build on wins over Surprise Shadow Ridge and El Mirage Dysart. Greenway rebounded from a narrow loss to Peoria Sunrise Mountain in its opener with a big win over Glendale Independence.

Laveen Betty H. Fairfax (1-1, DII, SI) at Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor (1-1, DI, SIII) – Each team is trying to lay the groundwork for a run at the playoffs, and Fairfax hopes to use speed to its advantage.