Editor's Note: For the 2026 Sollenberger Arizona Football Preview magazine flipbook, CLICK HERE.

Here's a breakdown of the 3A conference for the 2026 season:

3A EAST

Coolidge Bears

Head coach: Carlo Hernandez

Years as school’s head coach/record: 2/5-15

Overall years as football coach: 20/124-45

Potential milestone: This 2026 season marks the 20-year anniversary of the program’s last state championship in 2006. The Bears also won in 2005.

Offensive starters returning: 4

Defensive starters returning: 4

Key players: Jr. ATH Dayce Cade 5-9, 155; Jr. RB/LB Aiden Garcia 5-9, 165; Sr. OL/DL Tony Robertson 6-1, 185.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Coach Hernandez believes his group will be vastly improved as they are beginning to understand the offensive and defensive schemes the coaching staff has put in place, and players are beginning to buy into the program.

Florence Gophers

Head coach: Mike Carlin

Years as school’s head coach/record: 1/7-5

Overall years as football coach: 6

Offensive starters returning: 2

Defensive starters returning: 4

Key players: Sr. DB/WR Darrius Samuels 5-8, 145; Sr. OL/DL Rocky Valle 6-1, 215; Jr. DB/WR Keantum Greeley 6-0, 160; Soph. QB Brody Barden 5-10, 185.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Coach Carlin’s group will be relatively young on both sides of the ball.

Pusch Ridge Lions

Head coach: Kent Middleton.

Years as school’s head coach: 7.

Overall years as football coach: 7.

Potential milestone: The Lions are looking to make it to the state playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.

Offensive starters returning: 7.

Defensive starters returning: 7.

Key players: Sr. Ret/OLB Levi Adcock 6-1, 175; Sr. OL/DL Brendon Keating 5-7, 200; Sr. OL/DL Henry Garnand 6-3, 270; Sr. OL/DL Gio France 5-9, 230.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Coach Middleton’s group is more experienced at the skill positions this season and are much bigger across the board.

Sabino Sabercats

Head coach: Ryan McBrayer

Years as school’s head coach/record: 10/64-33

Overall years as football coach: 10

Offensive starters returning: 5

Defensive starters returning: 8

Key players: Sr. MLB Chris Yslas 6-0, 200; Sr. WR/FS Anthony Dimas 5-11, 180; Jr. LB/RB Shaundon Harris 5-10, 180; Sr. OT/DT Victor Alcantar 5-11, 230.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: The growth of quarterback Bodhi Sanford will be the key to Sabino’s success this season. As a sophomore, Sanford completed 152 of 275 passes for 2,340 yards 26 touchdowns, and coach McBrayer says his club has a ton of outside speed. Defensively, this group returns almost all starters from 2025 and have some young talent to reinforce those returners.

Safford Bulldogs

Head coach: Ishmael MacNeil

Years as school’s head coach/record: 1/2-8

Overall years as football coach: 4

Offensive starters returning: 5

Defensive starters returning: 4

Key players: Sr. ATH Dane Jacobson 6-0, 165; Jr. QB Parker Whisman 6-2, 195; Sr. DL Aries Peru 5-11, 255; Sr. DB Matteo Chavez 5-10, 165.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Coach MacNeil’s group was adjusting to a new system under a new coaching staff, but in 2026, the Bulldogs have completed a full offseason with their new coach.

San Tan Foothills Sabercats

Head coach: Walt Sword

Years as school’s head coach/record: 0/0-0

Overall years as football coach: 3

Offensive starters returning: 10

Defensive starters returning: 10

Key players: Soph. QB Jeremiah Brown 5-11, 165; Sr. RB Izak Wallis 5-9, 180; Sr. LB Damen Eib

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: With a new head coach and new coordinators, San Tan Foothills is reworking their program after an 0-10 season in 2025.

Thatcher Eagles

Head coach: Daniel Jones

Years as school’s head coach/record: 7/52-19

Overall years as football coach: 7

Offensive starters returning: 3

Defensive starters returning: 4

Key players: Sr. WR/DB Hudson Conrad 5-10, 175; Sr. OL/DL Vincent Bejarano 6-0, 240; Sr. RB/LB Ethan Hayes 5-7, 200; Sr. TE/DE Teagan Damron 5-11, 200.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Coach Jones and his club graduated several seniors after last season’s 9-2 mark, so the Eagles will be young and inexperienced, but Jones said they’ve been working hard and are excited for 2026.

3A Mountain

Apache Junction Prospectors

Head coach: Daniel Gentry

Years as school’s head coach/record: 0/0-0

Overall years as football coach: 0

Offensive starters returning: 3

Defensive starters returning: 3

Key players: Sr. OL/DL Alex Jaskowiak 6-0, 295; Sr. OL/DL Bryan Kardell 5-11, 350.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: The Prospectors have a new coach and an entirely new system after going 1-9 in 2025.

Payson Longhorns

Head coach: Bryan Burke

Years as school’s head coach/record: 7/47-34

Overall years as football coach: 7

Offensive starters returning: 3

Defensive starters returning: 4

Key players: Sr. WR/DB Xavier Robinson 5-11, 170; Jr. RB/LB Nathan Tsosie 5-10, 170; Jr. WR/S Teagan Lewis 5-10, 160; Sr. DL/OL Brayden Lee 6-0, 240.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Coach Burke’s club is less experienced than in recent seasons, but this very humble group is motivated and plays more physical and disciplined than previous teams.

Round Valley Elks

Head coach: Brad Baca

Years as school’s head coach/record: 5/46-16

Overall years as football coach: 15

Offensive starters returning: 6

Defensive starters returning: 5

Key players: Sr. RB Brody Crick; Sr. QB Kage Finch; Sr. OL/DL Joah Brown; Sr. OL/DL Tye Williams; Sr. OL/LB Brody Kelepolo; Sr. WR/CB J.J. Logan.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Coach Baca’s club has a little less experience at a few positions than he did last year when the Elks went 13-1 and won the 3A state championship, defeating Benjamin Franklin 13-10.

Show Low Cougars

Head coach: Michael Boyce.

Years as school’s head coach/record: 3/15-17.

Overall years as football coach: 3.

Offensive starters returning: 1.

Defensive starters returning: 2.

Key players: Sr. TE/DE Talen Slone 6-2, 220; Jr. RB/MLB Corbin Wood 5-10, 180; Jr. WR/S Zander Perez 5-8, 160; Sr. RB/MLB Karter Alexander 5-9, 180.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Last season the Cougars were senior heavy, but this fall’s group has a lot of young talent to watch for.

Not Listed: Blue Ridge, ALA-Mesa North.

3A West

Dysart Demons

Head coach: John Ganados

Years as school’s head coach/record: 11/54-57

Overall years as football coach: 11

Offensive starters returning: 7

Defensive starters returning: 7

Key players: Sr. QB Josiah Laborin 5-11, 188; Sr. WR Alexander Cardenas Perez 5-9, 165; Sr. K/P Rodolfo Reveles 5-10, 179.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Coach Ganados has 17 starters returning within all three phases of the game, giving his club more than enough experience to compete at the 3A level.

Odyssey Institute Minotaurs

Head coach: Kenneth Olson

Years as school’s head coach/record: 3/11-19

Overall years as football coach: 3

Offensive starters returning: 5

Defensive starters returning: 4

Key players: Sr. RB/OLB Jace Collins 5-8, 160; Jr. S Isaiah Johnson 5-5, 140; Sr. C Tristan Perez 6-0, 220; Jr. OL/DL Mason Valero 6-2, 290.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Coach Olson’s group will be fairly young this year with only a few key senior leaders. The younger, less-experienced players will need to step up this season.

River Valley Dust Devils

Head coach: Adam King

Years as school’s head coach/record: 3/23-10

Overall years as football coach: 3/23-10

Offensive starters returning: 6

Defensive starters returning: 5

Key players: Jr. RB/DB Brodee Abell 5-7, 165; Jr. OT Tallan Alexis 6-4, 275; Jr. RB/DB Bradlee Abell 5-7, 165; Sr. ATH D.J. Gramanz 5-7, 165.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Coach King’s group graduated a large group of seniors in May, so they’ll need to make up for that loss of experience at a few key positions.

Shadow Mountain Matadors

Head coach: Joe Scott

Years as school’s head coach/record: 1/5-6

Overall years as football coach: 1/5-6

Offensive starters returning: 6

Defensive starters returning: 6

Key players: Sr. C/DT Evan Davis 6-1, 207; Sr. RB Trevor Ferro 5-6, 165; Jr. WR/DB Michael Collins 5-9, 160; Sr. WR/S Jordan Tucker 5-10, 160.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: A healthy quarterback who can throw deep will be one of the biggest differences from last year as coach Scott enters his second year leading the Matadors. He believes the new culture within the program is solidified and they should be able to build from there. Shadow Mountain also successfully appealed down to 3A for this fall after being in 4A.

Not Listed: Kingman.

3A Metro

ALA-Ironwood Warriors

Head coach: Myron Blueford

Years as school’s head coach/record: 1/2-8

Overall years as football coach: 10

Offensive starters returning: 8

Defensive starters returning: 7

Key players: Sr. OL/DL Brandon Rathi 6-3, 260; Sr. OL/DL Slade Wheaton 6-2, 270; Sr. WR/DB Bowen Weddle 6-3, 200; Jr. WR/DB Rylon Bradford 6-6, 160.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Now entering his second year as coach, Blueford said their new philosophy about football has started to take root with the players and they are ready to compete at the new standard set.

Benjamin Franklin Chargers

Head coach: Danny Norris

Years as school’s head coach/record: 3/31-7

Overall years as football coach: 10

Offensive starters returning: 4

Defensive starters returning: 6

Key players: Sr. WR/LB Christian Sorenson 6-3, 195; Sr. OL/DL Paul Bergdahl 6-3, 275; Sr. LB Ashton Goddard 5-9, 190; Sr. WR/CB Ayden Stebnicki Snower 6-3, 180.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Coach Norris’ group is going to rely heavily on younger players in the trenches. A season ago, the Chargers had four offensive linemen return but now they must replace all of them. Norris said he’s excited to see the players continue to grow, including the younger players. They will be smaller up front but will be more athletic.

Crismon Rattlers

Head coach: Scott Hare

Years as school’s head coach/record: 1/7-5

Overall years as football coach: 21

Offensive starters returning: 8

Defensive starters returning: 8

Key players: Sr. LB Wesson Haynes 6-2, 200; Sr. WR Asher Vance 6-2, 185; Sr. OL Briggs Gomez 6-2, 185; Jr. RB Walker Higbee 5-11, 190.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Coach Hare believes the players know what to expect entering year two under his program standards.

Gilbert Christian Knights

Head coach: John Carlson

Years as school’s head coach/record: 3/20-14

Overall years as football coach: 3/20-14

Offensive starters returning: 8

Defensive starters returning: 8

Key players: Jr. RB/WR/DB Pierson Scott 5-10, 160; Sr. DE Marcel Maro 6-1, 200; Sr. OL Luke Rumer 5-10, 235.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Coach Carlson’s group is coming into the 2026 season with much more depth than the past three years. Their seniors are eager to lead and are hungry to build onto their playoff experience in 2025.

Seton Catholic Sentinels

Head coach: Matt Hanshaw

Years as school’s head coach/record: 0/0-0

Overall years as football coach: 0

Offensive starters returning: 5

Defensive starters returning: 4

Key players: Sr. DB/WR Aiden Ashihundu 5-9, 170; Jr. RB/LB Coree Edwards 5-8, 190; Jr. DB/WR Lucas Jimenez 6-1, 180; Jr. OL/DL AJ Packer 6-2, 200.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: The biggest change will be an entirely new focus in all three phases of the game, and the overall direction and identity of the program under first-year coach Matt Hanshaw. So far, players have responded well to the change and are excited about the program’s progress in the offseason. Seton Catholic also successfully appealed their 4A placement and are now part of the 3A conference for 2026 and beyond.

Valley Christian Trojans

Head coach: Jake Petersen

Years as school’s head coach/record: 6/51-17

Overall years as football coach: 10

Offensive starters returning: 3

Defensive starters returning: 3

Key players: Jr. RB D’Andre Dickerson 5-11, 200; Jr. DE/TE Brayden Voss 6-2, 220; Jr. OL/DL Titus Mueller 6-2, 260; Jr. DL Andre Burchette 6-1, 230.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: The Trojans lost several seniors to graduation in May after the group completed an 11-2 season in 2025, many of which had multiple years of varsity experience and leadership qualities, which means Petersen’s group will have a lot of first-year starters in 2026.

3A North

Chinle Wildcats

Head coach: Pita Olomua

Years as school’s head coach/record: 5/18-29

Overall years as football coach: 20

Offensive starters returning: 8

Defensive starters returning: 7

Key players: Jr. RB Cody Curley; Sr. QB/TE DeChelly Nalwood; Jr. FB/MLB Caleb Yazzie; Jr. RB/LB Aiden Guy.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Coach Olomua’s group has a lot more experience and depth to their roster after finishing 7-3 overall in 2025. Despite their record, Chinle missed the state playoffs but in 2026, the Wildcats could finally get over the hump. The Wildcats also have several athletes that will help with playmaking this fall.

Winslow Bulldogs

Head coach: Jordan Payne

Years as school’s head coach/record: 3/15-15

Overall years as football coach: 14

Offensive starters returning: 4

Defensive starters returning: 4

Key players: Soph. DL/OL Thomas Candelaria 5-10, 215; Soph. C Trent Curley 5-10, 200; Soph. OL Marc-Anthony Panana 5-8, 210.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Coach Payne lost several senior leaders to graduation in May, so he’ll be looking at who will step up and become a leader this fall.

Not Listed: Window Rock, Page, Monument Valley, Ganado.

3A Unassigned

Wickenburg Wranglers

Head coach: Justin Stangler

Years as school’s head coach/record: 0

Overall years as football coach: 9

Offensive starters returning: 2

Defensive starters returning: 2

Key players: Sr. RB/LB Gavin Foucault 5-10, 175; Jr. OL/DL Bronson McMillan 6-5, 270; Jr. C Angel Vargas 6-1, 315; Sr. LB Urijah DiCamillo 6-2, 225.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: Coach Stangler said “everything” is the biggest difference between 2025 and 2026. With a new coach, staff, and only a handful of players returning from a team that went 0-10 last season, he’s certainly right.

ALA-Radiance Rangers

Head coach: Tyler French.

Years as school’s head coach: 0.

Overall years as football coach: 0.

Potential milestone: This season is the inaugural year for the ALA-Radiance football program.

Offensive starters returning: 0.

Defensive starters returning: 0.

Key players: N/A.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: ALA-Radiance is a brand-new school, so having football will be a fun adventure for the local community.

ALA-Vistancia Defenders

Head coach: Darrell Perkins

Years as school’s head coach/record: 0/0-0

Overall years as football coach: 0

Potential milestone: This is a first-year varsity program.

Offensive starters returning: 0

Defensive starters returning: 0

Key players: Sr. OL John Scott 6-1, 220; Soph. WR/DB Brayden Penna 5-11, 150; Soph. QB/DB Spencer Perkins 5-8, 160; Jr. WR/DB Brady Moore 5-10, 165.

Biggest differences between 2025 and 2026 teams: With this being a first-year varsity program, coach Perkins is focused on building team chemistry and was pleased to see a good turnout during the offseason training program.

Not Listed: Heritage Academy Gateway, Heritage Academy Maricopa.