A big stadium is where teams want to be a few months from now as Chandler High was at UofA last December. (AzPreps365 photo)

 

PREP FOOTBALL

WEEK 1 SCHEDULE

East Valley and Northeast Valley schools primarily

All games Friday Aug. 17 unless noted

6A

Highland at Alhambra, Chandler at Centennial CA, Palm Springs CA at Desert Vista, Chaparral at Hamilton, Brophy Prep at Liberty, Sandra Day O'Connor at Mesa, Skyline at Mountain Ridge, Corona del Sol at Mountain View, Basha at North, Perry at Pinnacle, Westwood at Queen Creek, Desert Ridge at Red Mountain, Dobson at Shadow Ridge.

This set of games features a beastly interstate matchup Chandler-Centennial (Corona CA). It's a rematch of a game a couple years back that saw Centennial outscore Chandler. It's not often these days Chandler is situated in revenge mode. Chaparral-Hamilton features new coaches on both sides from out of state in Brent Barnes (Chap) and Mike Zdebski (Hamilton). Barnes relocated from Oklahoma and Zdebski from Michigan. These schools could never get together when their fortunes were highest early in the decade and competing in different conferences. This is one to enjoy for the novelty and attempt for both to rise up to former heights. Brophy Prep-Liberty features the debut for Brophy coach Jon Kitna, who will try to raise the Broncos up from a tough 1-9 season a year ago. Liberty has stepped up to 6A in the new two-year block and is eager to prove it belongs. Perry-Pinnacle features a Rattler-Purdy matchup at QBs. Rattler is the known and elite commodity. The younger Purdy (Chubba) gets tested quickly as he follows older brother, Brock. Desert Ridge-Red Mountain is an inter-region battle of teams always in the thick of their region races. Basha-North is the debut of new coaches on both sides -- Chris McDonald moving over from Maricopa and back to the Chandler district at Basha and Adan Mendoza, an alum for North guidiing the Mustangs.  

5A

Notre Dame Prep at Betty Fairfax, Carl Hayden at Cactus Shadows, Centennial at Casteel, Apollo at Desert Mountain, Paraclete, CA at Higley, Marana at Horizon, McClintock at Maricopa, Gilbert at Mesquite, Williams Field at Norco, CA, North Canyon at Shadow Mountain, Campo Verde at Sunnyside.

All eyes will be on Centennial-Casteel, a pair of defending state champs from 2017 - Centennial in 5A and Casteel 3A. Casteel features new head coach Bobby Newcombe, elevated two months ago from an assistant post while Centennial sports its long-time mentor Richard Taylor. The onus is on Centennial to win this one with Casteel fired up for the ultimate shot at respect taking on the conference champ in its inaugural 5A game. Williams Field-Norco, CA represents a huge test for Williams Field on the road and far from home. WF coach Steve Campbell returns to hs prep stomping grounds where he starred 25 years ago playing for father, Gary. On the flip side, Higley district neighbor Higley hosts Paraclete, (Lancaster) CA. Nice to be at home for an out-of state encounter with Higley eyeing the chance to compete with the heavies in 5A in its first year in the conference. Paraclete sports double-digit wins the last two seasons. Gilbert-Mesquite features Gilbert schools who each dropped a class from last year - Gilbert down to 5A from 6A and Mesquite 5A to 4A. They played the last two years with the teams splitting their meetings. Marana, Desert Mountain and Cactus Shadows are testing new conferences with Marana and Cactus Shadows moving up from 4A and Desert Mountain and Sunnyside moving down from 6A. Campo Verde-Sunnyside has CV testing a former 6A school in the Blue Devils. Sunnyside has moved down to 5A and si coached by longtime Marcos de Niza coach Roy Lopez. Current Campo Verde coach Max Ragsdale coached previously at Apache Junction High, Roy Lopez's alma mater several years back.

 

4A

Coronado at Arcadia, Combs at Mingus, Saguaro at Poston Butte, Apache Junction at Royal, CA.

Coronado-Arcadia combined for a  one win last year -- Coronado in 4A and Arcadia in 5A. They've each dropped a conference. Arcadia has a new coach in former Hamilton, ASU and NFL receiver Kerry Taylor. Coronado is in its second year under Curt LeBlanc. Saguaro-Poston Butte is a region game (Desert Sky) right out of the chute and quite the 2018 debut for Poston Butte in dropping from 5A to 4A and getting the five-time defending champs. Combs-Mingus features Travis Miller in his second season piloting the Coyotes. Mingus introduces new head coach and alum Robert Ortiz. Apache Junction-Royal (Simi Valley) CA takes the Prospectors out of state, a rarity. Royal is coached by a former Arizona prep coach Matt Lewis, who was head coach at McClintock and assisted at Highland and Saguaro among others.

 

3A

American Leadership QC at American Leadership Ironwood, Arizona College Prep at Chandler Prep, Northwest Christian at Fountain Hills, Scottsdale Christian at Gilbert Christian, Odyssey Institute at San Tan Foothills. (Aug. 18- Ganado vs. Benjamin Franklin at Round Valley Dome).

Scottsdale-Christian-Gilbert Christian are yet another matchup with new mentors. Jason Cauley, who has prep head coaching stops in Hawaii and Kansas, takes over at SCA. Gilbert Christian moves up to 3A from 2A and SCA remains a 2A school.

 

2A

St. Johns at Tempe Prep (MCC)

St. Johns-Tempe Prep is the first game as head coach at Tempe Prep for Larry Cain, former head coach at Gilbert Christian and assistant most recently at Valley Christian. Both schools have plenty of postseason appearances between them.