Here are AzPreps365's preseason top five for 5A flag football:

1. Campo Verde – The program Brian Coger has bult has the Coyotes in the conversation regarding the premier programs in the state regardless of classification.

The country’s top player, according to MaxPreps, is quarterback Amaya Moreno, who finished with 2,117 yards, 43 touchdowns and two interceptions in nine games in her first year with Campo Verde.

Add in the expectations created by previous seasons and it is hard to look elsewhere than Val Vista Dr. and Quartz St.

And here’s the thing – in going 19-1 last season, the Coyotes were a young team as the five leading receivers were juniors or younger. Among that group is 5-foot-11 Jaiyana “JBJ” Bogan-Jacobs, who had 53 catches and 25 touchdowns. JBJ’s main sport is basketball where she is ranked No. 3 in the nation by ESPN.

“We’re excited to have her back,” Coger said. “She is a difference maker.”

Junior Oakley Dobratz-Blevins on the other side of the formation had 54 catches for 1,063 yards with 17 touchdowns.

Defensively, senior Jayda Haley has 11 flag pulls for a loss and Miriam Edgeston had 10. The pass defense had 50 interceptions last year with five players with at least four picks coming back this season, including Bogan-Jacobs, who had 16 picks a year ago.

2. Canyon View – Look for a bounce back year for the girls from Waddell.

The Jaguars went 11-7 and lost in the quarterfinals after winning it all in 2024 and finished as runners-up in 2023 by going 29-3 in the first two AIA sanctioned seasons.

The preseason chatter has Canyon View pushing back into the championship conversation.

Coach Mo Oliver will have Willow Canyon back into contention and will get an early test against Hamilton on Sept. 17.

A lot will depend on the development of sophomore quarterback Nataley Laing, who had more than 30 touchdowns last season.

The offense will have Zariyah Odom and A’Mara May as weapons in the passing game after gaining experience last year as the offense transitions into a new identity.

The Jaguars lost some defensive stalwarts to graduation but look for senior rusher Aniyah Coleman, senior rusher Mariah Murphy and junior defensive back Zariyah Odom to take on some prominent roles.

3. Casa Grande – The Tigers had a great regular season – 11-1 – to grab the third seed but lost a home playoff game to Buena for a disappointing end.

It might end up paying off in 2026 as that result probably didn’t sit well. Casa Grande won its first 10 games, lost the regular season finale to Salpointe Catholic and then after a first-round win the Tigers had to turn in their uniforms.

It came a year after making it to the semifinals, so it is a good bet Casa Grande uses that disappointment as a driving force this year.

Considering the team has gone 36-9 in its first three seasons, it is easy to see why coaches have included the Tigers among their preseason top five.

It also helps to have the dynamic duo of quarterback Sarah Mountz (2,867 yards, 65 percent completion percentage, 47 touchdowns) and wide receiver Kayla Tacker (90 catches, 1,505 yards and 26 TDs).

The defensive side of things returns some of the top leaders as junior Ariana Garcia has six sacks and 26 hurries, while Dilan Herrington had five sack. The back of the defense is secure with Tacker (16 INTs) and Eternity Haygood (3 INTs) roaming the field.  

4. Buena – The Colts are two for two in qualifying for the playoffs and are in place to do so again in 2026 after making it to the semifinals, lost by one score to Chaparral, and going 13-3 a year ago, and falling the quarterfinals in to finish 12-4 on the year.

The program has one of the state’s best all-around players in junior wide receiver/defensive back Deztany Toyota-Villalobos.

She had 82 catches for 1,481 yards with 23 touchdowns and 34 carries for 445 yards and five scores. She also led the team in tackles including 14 flag pulls for a loss, 12 sacks and six interceptions.

Toyota-Villalobos fills up box score. She will get plenty of help from junior quarterback Adelina Ortega (26 TDs), senior Hailey Dale (29 catches, 409 yards and 3 TDs) on offense.

The defense has a great tandem between Toyota-Villalobos and senior Storm Ryan as the latter had 45 tackles including 32 flag pulls for a loss with 23 of those being sacks.

The Colts have an interesting schedule – especially travel wise – as the lone big-school in the southeast location of the state highlighted by Canyon View visiting on Sept. 29.

5. Chaparral – The Firebirds had a breakout year in 2025 to finish as state runners-up with a 13-3 record after going 3-8 in their inaugural year in 2024.

The difference for coach Tom Weishaar and company? An explosion of offense as the Firebird scored 439 points compared the opponents’ 182.

Junior quarterback Kaelie Weishaar returns after throwing for 3,100 yards with 45 touchdowns with 18 picks. Her top three targets are back including Kendyll Dinh (79 catches, 1,146 with 23 touchdowns).

The defense was very young last season, but it will pay dividends this year. Nearly the entire unit returns including senior Cyana Searles, sophomore Madison Morris and senior Stella Hulse, who led the state with 27 interceptions to rank ninth in the nation.

The Firebirds have a manageable schedule and should be in line for a good seed when the regular season comes to an end.