Arizona College Prep and Perry enter the 2026 season looking to make their mark in the Chandler Unified School District, home to Arizona’s three highest-ranked teams. Chandler, Basha and Hamilton are all ranked among the nation’s top 20, highlighting the district’s national reputation. 

After a 9-3 season in 2025, Arizona College Prep was left to replace its head coach and hired Jacob Rutter, the former defensive coordinator and head track and field coach at Highland. Although Rutter is the program’s fourth head coach in four years, he said he has been impressed with the team’s continuity and ability to adapt in the offseason. 

“These kids really embraced it quickly,” Rutter said. “I think they were ready for work, ready for accountability, and ready for direction. … It’s been a really great, fast transition. The youth of the program is very talented, mixed with a veteran and hungry senior class. Having some kids with a chip on their shoulder finally getting the love they’ve been waiting for.”

ACP returns senior quarterback Gunnar Schmidt, who won all four of his starts last season while filling in for the injured starter and threw six touchdown passes. Running back J'Cory Horne Jr. rushed for 589 yards and eight touchdowns and will also play defensive back this season. 

“I think Gunnar Schmidt is going to turn a lot of heads this year,” Rutter said. “He’s going to have an incredibly successful season. When we went to camp and adversity started to hit, Gunnar took command of the whole team. … Him being a four-year ACP player has earned him that right.”

Competing in the 5A Conference, ACP will not face many of its district counterparts, which compete in 6A. 

The Knights’ schedule includes defending 5A champion Desert Mountain, Mountain Pointe, ALA-Gilbert North, and Campo Verde. 

“We’re usually seen as the little brother to the other CUSD schools, but our school has grown so much over the past few years,” Schmidt said. “It's surprising people how well we’re doing and we play with a chip on our shoulder, and I like being the underdog.”

Six foot six junior defensive end Enoch Adegoke, who recently received an offer from Northern Arizona, also has his eyes set on a big season. 

“We’re trying to go undefeated and go to the championship game,” Adegoke said. “I’m looking to average over one sack per game, get 17 sacks. I know it’s a big number, but I think I can get there. Coach Rutter is amazing. He’s been really good so far and I think he can take us to the championship.”

Hathcock begins new era at Perry

Perry also enters the season with a new head coach, after a 6-6 season in 2025. 

Jeremy Hathcock takes over after leading Mesa to the 6A quarterfinals in his lone season with the program. 

“Establishing the culture and hiring assistant coaches has been our priority and we’ve got 28 assistants hired,” Hathcock said. “Just shifting cultures is always hard to do, wherever you go. We’re getting close, and we’re healthy. The weight room is doing its thing and the kids are starting to believe. I don’t think people build programs anymore; they establish programs. I think we’re trying to establish who we are right now.”

The Pumas have several offensive playmakers who will look to put up big numbers in 2026.

Quarterback Kael Snyder (left) and wide receiver Amos Augustine (right) pose at Chandler Unified School District's media day on Wednesday. (Hayden Hartigan photo/AZPreps365). 

Boise State quarterback commit Kael Snyder leads the group alongside junior wide receiver Amos Augustine, who holds offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Kansas and Purdue. In 2025, Snyder passed for 2,720 yards and 27 touchdowns and Augustine caught 42 passes for 780 yards and seven touchdowns. 

Hathcock described Snyder as one of the best quarterbacks he has coached because of his arm talent and strong mentality that allows his teammates to depend on him. Snyder said the relationship has already helped his development.

“I’ve been meeting with coach Hathcock about the mental side of the game, understanding defenses and how to call plays on offense,” Snyder said. “It’s been really helpful and I’m trying to take what I learned to the next level.” 

Snyder’s commitment to Boise State has simplified the upcoming season for the quarterback as he enters his final year with Perry. 

“I know that I have a place to go and I’m really excited for that,” Snyder said. “I feel like I’ve got a lot of stress off my shoulders and I can play free this year and be who I am.”

Perry opens the season against Cactus Canyon and will also play defending Open Division state champion Basha, Hamilton and Mesa. Augustine said the adversity the team has faced together has prepared the Pumas for their biggest games. 

“We’ve been through a lot of hard things together, but it's building us to be a better team,” Augustine said. “Our team does a good job on energy. When we know who we’re going against, our energy rises and goes through the roof. Those big games are the ones that we love to play.”

Although both Arizona College Prep and Perry enter the 2026 season under new leadership, each returns experienced talent with expectations of competing for a deep postseason run.