Schools that did not play last week join the fray this week as the 2017 football season kicks into full gear with its first full slate of contests.

Here's a thumbnail look at some of the top games involving East Valley and Northeast Valley schools. Schools in the EV and NEV debuting new coaches this week are: Combs (Travis Miller); Gilbert Christian (Scott McDaniel); Poston Butte (Dain Thompson); Dobson (Pete Wahlheim); McClintock (Corbin Smith); Coronado (Curt LeBlanc) and Fountain Hills (Jason Henslin).

6A

Thursday Aug. 24

Mesa Mtn. View (0-0) at Valley Vista (0-0): Both schools finished 7-4 last year and made the playoffs, albeit to the first round only. Mountain View unveils a new quarterback and does return a fine receiver in Jacobby Dinwiddie and an experienced line. This is the YurView game of the week. Yurview is formerly Cox.

Friday Aug. 25

Pinnacle (1-0) at Basha (1-0): Both schools reversed outcomes from their 2016 season openers. Pinnacle and Spencer Rattler will be staunch challenge for new Basha coach Rich Wellbrock. Wellbrock's Bears yielded 20 points in its win over Westview last week. That would have ranked as Basha's best game in terms of points allowed last year. 

Desert Ridge (0-0) vs. Brophy Prep (0-1) at Central HS: Brophy opened wiith one of its least-experienced teams in years in its opening thumping to Pinnacle. Desert Ridge will be young in spots to start, but has firepower back in the skill positions as the schools meet for the sixth time in five years,  

Westwood (0-1) at Copper Canyon (0-0): Westwood fared a little better than it did last year in falling to Skyline in its opener. The Warriors have the advantage of a game under its belt against the Aztecs. Westwood managed a 29-22 victory last year, one of only two wins for the Warriors.

La Joya (0-0) at Corona del Sol (0-1): Corona showed a penchant for the pass in its opening loss to Highland last week, partly due to a 26-0 deficit 14 seconds into the second half at Highland. The Aztecs were 42 of 65 throught the air, notching just shy of 400 yards in the air. yet only 13 points. Corona controlled La Joya last year, building a 30-0 lead after three quarters in a 30-14 win.

Mesa (0-1) at Desert Mountain (1-0): Desert Mountain has to be a tad giddy after rallying from four scores down to upend Chaparral last week. Incumbent on Mesa to come out with fire in its belly after a drubbing in front of the Jackrabbit faithful to Mesquite.

Mesquite (1-0) at Gilbert (0-0): Mesquite looks for wins No. 2 over neighboring 6A schools. It's the third season opener for Gilbert senior quarterback Jack Plummer, who had an average outing in last year's loss to the Wildcats.

Queen Creek (1-0) at Hamilton (1-0): Queen Creek was felled three times last year -- twice by eventual 5A champ Williams Field and by Hamilton. Netting a win over the Huskies will be tough given the ability of quarterback Tyler Shough and running back Jahwar Jordan, who opened with a flurry at Boulder Creek.

Perry (1-0) at Millennium (0-0): Perry hits the road for the second time in as many games and looks as explosive as ever after its win over Desert Vista. Millennium will have its hands full in its 2017 debut.

Dobson (0-0) at Rincon (0-1): The Pete Wahlheim era begins for Dobson in Tucson and the outlook is bright given Rincon's struggle in its opener last week, a 58-0 loss to Pueblo. Dobson dominated Rincon last year to the tune of 42-7.

Highland (1-0) at Skyline (1-0): Highland definitely won't see as much passing as it did last week vs. Corona. On the contrary, it will be ground and pound as is Skyline's style. A little better barometer, this game, for both teams after week 1 triumphs.

Saturday Aug. 26

IMG Academy (0-0) at Chandler (1-0): Chandler is again on the national stage having posted a 2-3 record  this decade vs. out-of-state schools from California, Nevada, Colorado, Georgia and now Florida. The Wolves were up to the test in their debut last week against ranked Red Mountain. A big-play passing game Jacob Conover to the likes of Gunner Romney and Jarrick Caldwell, averaged nearly 28 yards a reception. IMG is working on a pair of unbeaten seasons playing top programs from around the country.

5A

Friday Aug. 25

Ironwood (0-0) at Campo Verde (1-0): Campo is under a bit of pressure to win several of their games in what has turned out to be a weak non-region schedule this two-year block. Campo Verde downed Agua Fria last week as junior running back Matt Leazier and senior quarterback EJ Galvez keyed a balanced attack. Ironwood is hoping to give a better account than 36-0 from last year.

Williams Field (1-0) at Deer Valley (0-0): Williams Field ran its 5A-best winning streak to 15 games with its romp over Arcadia. Deer Valley gave Williams Field a tough battle last year in losing 21-0. The Skyhawks are out to prove their nearly consensus top-10 ranking is justified and this is a game to prove it.

Horizon (1-0) at Chaparral (0-1): Chaparral will need to show some mettle after failing to protect a 27-0 lead last week vs. Desert Mountain and ultimately losing. Horizon ran away from Cibola last week in the second half to make coach Ty Wisdom a victory in his debut.  

Desert Edge (0-1) at Notre Dame Prep (1-0): Not many expected Desert Edge to get blown away by the margin it did by Centennial last week. Notre Dame may not be the opponent the Scorpions want to see as coach George Prelock's team has plenty to play for this season, especially if the playoffs are made reality by performance.

Other games: Maricopa (1-0) at Paradise Valley (0-1); Goldwater (1-0) at Poston Butte (0-0): McClintock (0-0) at Vista Grande (0-0): Arcadia (0-1) at Verrado (1-0).

Friday Aug. 25

4A

Mingus (0-0) at Higley (0-0): Draycen Hall returns to lead Higley in its bid to go deep again this season in the playoffs. Hall rushed for 344 yards and 4 TDs vs. Mingus last year. Other games: Seton (1-0) at Cactus Shadows (0-0); Combs (0-0) at Casa Grande (0-0); Marcos de Niza (0-0) at Prescott (0-0); Catalina Foothills (0-1)  at Tempe (0-1): Coronado (0-0) at Odyssey (1-0).

Saturday Aug. 26

Saguaro (1-0) at Liberty HS (Nev.) (0-0): Saguaro was solid in its 41-13 victory over Catalina Foothills. Senior quarterback Max Massingale accounted for 321 yards (254 passing) in his debut. Saguaro takes a 26-game winning streak to Liberty. Liberty was 12-2 last year losing to Bishop Gorman (Nev.) and Centennial (Corona, Calif.).

3A

Casteel (1-0) at Payson (0-1): Payson was one of the few teams Casteel defeated last year that gave the Colts a game. Casteel opened last week bludgeoning Globe while Payson was routed by a good Safford team. Casteel quarterback Gunner Cruz was 12-of-15 passing for 256 yards and five TDs.

American Leadership (1-0) at Pusch Ridge (0-0): American Leadership won a defensive struggle with Pusch Ridge last year, 14-10, on its way to a hard-earned 3A football title. Matt Nevil, who played a decent amount at QB last year while injury sidelined others, is the starter and passed for 220 yards and two TDs in a 34-6 win over Benjamin Franklin. Trey Miller rushed for 134 yards and 2 TDs and Bujon Boyd caught 10 passes for 98 yards.

Other games: Benjamin Franklin (0-1) at Santa Rita (0-1); Fountain Hills (0-0) at Northwest Christian (0-0).

2A

Scottsdale Christian (1-0) at Arizona College Prep (0-1); Gilbert Christian (0-0) at Pima (1-0); Chandler Prep (0-0) at San Carlos (0-0); Many Farms (0-0) at San Tan Foothills (1-0); Valley Christian (0-0) vs. Tempe Prep (0-0) at MCC; Arizona Lutheran (0-0) at Scottsdale Prep (0-1).