Even though the makeup of big-school football in the state has undergone shuffling, East Valley schools are still the dominant force.

Division I  has enlarged from 31 to 40 schools. The powers that be -- Hamilton, Brophy, Chandler, Desert Ridge, Mountain Pointe, Desert Vista, Mountain View and Red Mountain -- will remain players. Westview, a contender in a class below in the recent past, should have no trouble making the jump to top the top division given its section with the metro Phoenix schools and Yuma schools.

While the playoff format guarantees each of the three sections in Division I three playoff teams, East Valley schools are likely to nab around three-fourths of the playoff spots come November despite some brooding over competition inequities. The road to making the playoffs will be tougher for the East Valley simply because the competition is at a higher level Friday to Friday. Not something they are not used to.

So buckle up and enjoy the matchups with more opponents just around the corner -- literally. The competition will be fierce. That makes for better football if what many coaches say after games vs. tough opponents is true. Something like: "We needed to play a team like that. It will make us better."

Here are the teams I expect to be the best eight in Division I for 2011:

1. Hamilton. The Huskies have decent mix of returning starters. Its legendary offensive line will need some retooling, but should be good enough to hold its own. They are the  champs until someone proves otherwise.

2. Desert Ridge. The Jaguars have offensive game-breakers back who don't need gaping holes to make a play. They have a handful of three-year starters back on defense and the momentum of their best season in school history as a backdrop. Their schedule will be tougher than in the past, but have the ability to handle a few more tough games among their 10.

3. Mountain Pointe.  Coach Norris Vaughan has arguably done the best coaching job in the East Valley over the last two years even though the Pride hasn't reached the championship game. Its offensive line is large and sophomore Jalen Brown, who made a major impact as a freshman, is primed for more in the secondary and as a receiver. Like Desert Ridge, Mountain Pointe's schedule will be up a notch. And opening the season with Hamilton is the ultimate barometer. 

4. Brophy. The Broncos were a .500 team a year ago that managed a quarterfinal run with skads of underclassmen. A year's experience for those players, a lighter schedule relative to the last two years, should have the Broncos positioned as a strong contender.

5. Chandler. Losing an explosive, dynamic quarterback in Brett Hundley is a bigger graduation loss than normal. The Wolves and new coach Shaun Aguano must play better defense in 2011 to be mentioned as a bonafide contender. Too many opponents last year tallied big points. Staunch defense is a must to have a shot at a big-school title.

6. Red Mountain. The massive schedule that included Hamilton, Centennial, Chandler is gone. Second-year coach Ron Wisniewski is entrenched and his system intact. The  Mountain Lions schedule is still hearty, but not one they can't navigate. Much better chance of a lengthy playoff run this year, particularly if they fare a tad better than .500 the first seven games.

7. Mountain View. No coach will be under the microscope as much as new mentor Chad DeGrenier. Mountain View fans are rarely if ever satisfied with who does the coaching no matter the success the school has produced in three decades. The great expectations are a challenge that drives DeGrenier. This should be an interesting ride.

8. Basha. The biggest concern for coach Bernie Busken in his second year is better play up front on offense. The Bears ground game wasn't much of an obstacle to many opponents. If the ground game is more viable this year, a seasoned quarterback and good set of receivers won't have  the pressure they had to drive the offense.