Arizona High School Football Top 25 Rankings - Sept. 23

Arizona high school football has remained for the most part untouched when it comes to realizing who the best teams in the Grand Canyon state are.

The Basha Bears have the signature victories in order to continuing staking the claim as Arizona’s best high school football team. Who else joins them in the latest set of Arizona high school football Top 25 rankings?

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.

Here is the latest Arizona high school football Top 25 rankings, according to Massey as of Sep. 23.

1. Basha Bears

Basha (4-0) may have come up short last year in their quest to win a second Open Division crown in three years, but undefeated start says this fall say they’ll be back in the AIA Open Division title game. The Bears have opened the 2025 season off with impressive wins over Brophy College Prep, California powerhouse Orange Lutheran and Williams Field.

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 Mason Lewis and linebacker Eli Cramer-Cronin.

The Bears are coming off a 31-13 win over Mountain View and return to the gridiron on Friday night versus Queen Creek (3-1).

2. Liberty Lions

Since Liberty‘s loss against nationally ranked Corner Canyon, a 45-14 loss, the Lions (3-1) have been taking it out on any opponent in their path.

In back-to-back weeks, the Lions have scored 40-plus points in blowout victories over Highland and winless ALA Queen Creek (0-3). There’s nothing easy about this week’s opponent when they take on undefeated Pinnacle (4-0) on the road.

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 (4-0) are already off to a sizzling start in wins over ALA Queen Creek, Sandra Day O’Connor, Casteel, Brophy College Preparatory respectively.

The latest win for the Huskies was a 70-33 rout of the Broncos last week,

There’s been no shortage of scoring points for the Huskies’ offense as they’ve put up 249 in their four victories, is anchored by Nebraska commit Rex Waterman, who is one of the best offensive linemen in Arizona. Among the standouts on the season for the Huskies has been a number of contributors, including quarterback Jax Sculley (1,255 yards, 19 touchdowns), running back Skyler Cole (329 yards, four touchdowns) and four-star sophomore wide receiver Roye Oliver, who has caught 30 passes for 570 yards and 10 scores.

The Huskies looks to improve to 5-0 when they take on Centennial (3-1) this week.

4. Pinnacle Pioneers

It’s been now four games and four blowouts victories for the Pinnacle Pioneers (4-0) to start the Arizona high school football season. The Pioneers have dominated their first four opponents by an eye-popping combined score of 174-11.

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 797 yards and 11 touchdowns this fall. Sophomore defensive lineman Ian Fullmer has impressed with 5.5 sacks so far.

Pinnacle previously undefeated Higley in a 41-11 rout last week. The Pioneers have one of their toughest tests of the season when they face No. 2 team in the state in Liberty.

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 (3-1) latest victory was a 27-14 win over Williams Field.

It’s is a short turnaround for Chandler as they travel to the road on Thursday night against Sandra Day O’Connor.

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.

Arizona High School Football Rankings: Nos. 6 – 25

6. Centennial (3-1)
7. Red Mountain (4-0)
8. Brophy College Preparatory (2-2)
9. Mountain View (2-2)
10. Horizon (4-0)

11. Desert Edge (4-0)
12. Higley (3-1)
13. Salpointe Catholic (3-1)
14. Williams Field (2-2)
15. Queen Creek (3-1)

16. Desert Mountain (3-1)
17. Perry (2-2)
18. Casteel (2-2)
19. ALA Queen Creek (0-4)
20. Saguaro (2-2) 

21. Marana (3-1)
22. Highland (1-3)
23. American Leadership Academy Gilbert North (3-1)
24. Cactus (3-1)
25. Arizona College Prep (4-0)

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.