Arizona High School Football Top 25 Rankings - Sept. 10

Arizona high school football has gone through two weeks of ball and from playing major out-of-state opponents to in-state foes, it’s clear there’s plenty of strong programs out in the desert. From top-ranked Basha to Hamilton and Liberty, Arizona has proven once again they have a state that can match to the best of ’em.

From established powers to emerging programs, here are the top 25 teams in the Grand Canyon State, according to Massey.

The Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

1. Basha Bears

Basha (2-0) may have come up short last year in their quest to win a second Open Division crown in three years, but early returns this fall say they’ll be back in the title game. The Bears have opened with impressive wins over Brophy College Prep and California power Orange Lutheran.

Quarterback Broderick Vehrs has led a talented Basha offense which features four-star sophomore running back Noah Roberts, three-star wide receiver Jaden Baldwin and four-star offensive tackle Jake Hildebrand. The team’s defensive unit is led by Cal commit Mason Lewis and linebacker Eli Cramer-Cronin.

2. Liberty Lions

For as every bit of impressive Liberty was to start the season in a 37-0 rout of Mountain View, they took a step back last week against nationally ranked Corner Canyon.

The Lions (1-1) were not able to keep up with the Charges in a 45-14 loss and will look to bounce back this week when they take on Highland.

Liberty will need players like Boise State commit Paz St. John and Minnesota pledge Hudson Dunn to lead the charge for the Lions’ defense if they look to repeat as Arizona’s Open Division state champions this fall.

3. Hamilton Huskies

Hamilton’s title-drought now stands at 12 years after falling to Liberty in last year’s Open Division semifinals. The Huskies (2-0) are already off to a sizzling start in wins over ALA Queen Creek and Sandra Day O’Connor, respectively.

There’s been no shortage of scoring points for the Huskies’ offense as they’ve put up 125 in their two victories, is anchored by Nebraska commit Rex Waterman, who is one of the best offensive linemen in Arizona. The defense, led by Beau and Niko Jandreau, who play linebacker and safety respectively, are committed to Oklahoma.

4. Pinnacle Pioneers

It’s been two games and two blowouts victories for the Pinnacle Pioneers (2-0) to start the Arizona high school football season. The Pioneers have out-scored their first two opponents by a combined score of 98-0.

Quite a statement for a team coming off a 8-4 season and is off to one of the hottest starts for a team in Arizona. Leading the way is quarterback Drew Varsano, who has thrown for over 450 yards and nine touchdowns this fall.

5. Chandler Wolves

Was last year an admiration or a sign of things to come for the Chandler Wolves? The program determined to bounce back after posting its first losing season in two decades. Chandler (1-1) started off the season by upending last year’s Class 6A state champion Centennial in a 24-17 decision.

Last week, however, Chandler returned back down to earth a little bit after dropping a 24-23 contest to Cathedral Catholic. The Wolves aim to get back to their winning ways when they hit the road and face
ALA Queen Creek.

Quarterback Will Mencl is one of the best junior quarterbacks in Arizona, and he’ll have a pair of standout targets at receiver in Jai Jones and Kaydon Gray. Veteran safety Hamisi Juma, who committed to Arizona last September, will anchor the team’s defensive secondary.

6. Higley
7. Red Mountain
8. Brophy College Preparatory
9. Centennial
10. Mountain View

11. Horizon
12. Williams Field
13. Salpointe Catholic
14. Queen Creek
15. Highland

16. Casteel
17. ALA Queen Creek
18. Desert Edge
19. Perry
20. Saguaro

21. Desert Mountain
22. American Leadership Academy Gilbert North
23. Marana
24. Mountain Pointe
25. Cactus

How to Follow Arizona High School Football

For Arizona high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the state, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Grand Canyon State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement across the state of Arizona.