Favorites, contenders and dark horses for the 2025 AZ HS football season

We’re just over a month away from the start of the Arizona high school football season. With that, it’s time to start looking at the favorites, the contenders and dark horses for the 2A through 6A conferences, including the Open Division. 

The teams mentioned in each conference were compiled from the Arizona Varsity team. Three simple questions were asked: 

• Who is the favorite? 
• Who are two contenders? 
• Who are three dark horse teams? 

Here are the results. 

Open Division

The Favorite: Basha

The Bears are once again in the mix for the Open Division title. But this time come into the season as the favorite among the Arizona Varsity team. And probably for good reason. 

The Bears return quarterback Brody Vehrs, who took the state by storm last season after taking over for Demond Williams. He has a monster of an offensive line in front of him along with special wideouts flanking him on either side. And let’s not forget the stars in the backfield: Noah Roberts and Joshua Gaines. My pick for the best one-two punch in Arizona – and perhaps the country. 

Defensively, the Bears are loaded, too. It starts up front with Anitoni Tahi, a junior who demands double teams in the trenches. 

The Contenders: Liberty and Hamilton

No surprise to see these two teams here. Liberty is the two-time defending champion and if it weren’t for graduating several multi-year starters, the Lions would likely be the top pick to win a third Open title in a row. But Hayden Fletcher is gone at quarterback, and the offensive line will be mostly new this season. Braxton Huynh will still be the No. 1 option at wideout for the Lions, but they also return Kamden Segall.  

Defensively, Liberty is still stacked. Hudson Dunn returns for his third year starting at the varsity level. He’s flanked by Cannon Garday and Tyler Burnstein at edge. 

Travis Dixon has things cookin’ at Hamilton. The Huskies are poised to be among the best in the state this season, and it will be thanks in large part to its defense. The Jandreau brothers are the leaders, but talent at every position around them makes the Huskies lethal. 

Offensively, there will be some new faces. But Jacob Brown returns at running back and Devante Roebuck is proving to be the next problem for opposing defenses out of the backfield. 

The Dark Horses: Brophy, Chandler, Centennial

On paper, Brophy should be in the contenders list. But the Broncos have struggled in the postseason. But with more senior leadership and next-level talent everywhere, Jason Jewell may have the squad that can bring a trophy back to central Phoenix. 

Case Vanden Bosch returns at quarterback and he has Devin Fitzgerald (Notre Dame), Daylen Sharper (Stanford), Ryder Noche (3-star), Donovan McNabb Jr. (3-star) and Jaylen Fitzgerald (five offers), among others, to throw to. Harrison Chambers returns at tailback and the Broncos have reloaded on the offensive line with a monster of a freshman in Yuen Taufete’e. 

It was a rough go for Chandler last season as injuries plagued the Wolves at key positions. But with Ty Wisdom now taking over as head coach and players healthy, Chandler is once again out to prove it’s still one of the big dogs in Arizona. 

Will Mencl returns at quarterback after injuries last season. His frame and skills have garnered attention from major Division I programs this off-season. His top target will be Jai Jones, who made the move from Corona del Sol before last season. Iona Kupu – the last name should be familiar – returns to lead the defense much like other Kupus to come through the Chandler program, as well as standout defensive back Hamisi Juma. 

Centennial made history by being the first team to win a state championship with a .500 record. The Coyotes were young and plagued by injuries early in the year, but once healthy and with transfers eligible, they began playing a style of football we’ve all become familiar with. 

Now, with Andrew Taylor stepping in to take over for his father, Richard, as head coach, the Coyotes are chasing yet another title. Though this time it comes after some players have transferred out rather than in. Still, Centennial returns quarterback Kainan Manna, who is a proven winner. And never count out that Taylor defense. 

6A Conference

The Favorite: Brophy

A dark horse in the Open Division but the favorite in 6A, the Brophy Broncos have high expectations this season. 

The Contenders: Red Mountain, ALA – Queen Creek

No surprise to see Red Mountain mentioned. The Mountain Lions always seem to be in the mix. And you can expect the defense to be a big reason for any success they have this coming season thanks to linebackers Jamison Wade and Cole Edmonds. 

ALA – Queen Creek lost a lot at every position, but the Patriots also gained a lot through transfers. This team may be hard to gauge at first – aside from them always playing a hard-nosed brand of football. But after Week 5 of the season we could see them surge. 

The Dark Horses: Perry, Higley, Williams Field

Joseph Ortiz has the Perry program moving in the right direction. And with Kael Snyder at quarterback, this is a dangerous team. 

Higley will forever be in the mix. The Knights continue to reload under head coach Eddy Zubey, especially at quarterback. 

Williams Field is always a quiet underdog. The Black Hawks are written off early then surprise most when they’re in the mix deep in the postseason. From what I’ve heard about their performance in big man and 7s challenges this summer, look out. 

5A Conference

The Favorite: Desert Edge

This is a no brainer. If Desert Edge doesn’t repeat as the champion of the 5A Conference, either there was a monumental upset or the Scorpions were plagued with injuries. This team is absolutely loaded everywhere you look, and it all starts with Blake Roskopf at quarterback and defensive back Camren Hamiel. And it isn’t just with upper classmen, either. 

The current sophomores (Jaelyn Easterling-Flores, Byron Brandon, Jhaheem Brown, Hajj Brown and Jalanie George, to name a few) at Desert Edge have a chance to form one of the greatest teams in the history of Arizona high school football. You can quote me on that. 

The Contenders: Desert Mountain, Horizon

Are we surprised these two teams are included? I’m not. Desert Mountain and Horizon have been two of the best programs in the 5A Conference and state for the last four seasons. Conrad Hamilton has the Wolves playing their best football since Kyle Allen and Mark Andrews were on the field, and Tyson Ditmore has taken over the Huskies in stride. 

Both teams reload every season and this will be no different. They are the best to challenge Desert Edge. 

The Dark Horses: Cactus Shadows, McClintock, Tucson

Cactus Shadows can put up a ton, and I mean a ton, of points behind quarterback Donivan Dixon. That was the case last season with the Falcons battling it out every week in a region that featured two Open Division teams (Horizon and Desert Mountain). I expect the same result this season. 

Tucson took southern Arizona by storm yet was still slightly overshadowed by the season Marana had up Interstate 10. Nonetheless, it was a historic season for Tucson with the Badgers winning a playoff game for the first time since 1971. That’s more than 50 years. Quarterback Derek Mesa and running back Noah Chanez return in the backfield, while Dominick Drow will lead the defense for a second straight season. 

4A Conference

The Favorite: Snowflake

Snowflake is a team that can be penciled – or sharpied – into either the ‘favorite’ or ‘contender’ category on a yearly basis. Those kids in Eastern Arizona love football, a specific brand of football. One that is focused on punishing opposing teams and physically wearing them down. 

That’s how the Lobos have been successful for so long, and this year will be no different with quarterback Jacob LaDuke, wideout Christian Smith and linebacker Hayydn Nichols returning to lead a team that was in the semifinals last year. 

The Contenders: Mica Mountain, Northwest Christian 

Mica Mountain reached the pinnacle of the 4A Conference last season after rolling through teams all season and capping it off with a win over Arizona College Prep inside Mountain America Stadium for the title game. The Thunderbolts graduated several key players, including quarterback Jayden Thoreson, running back Josiah Thornwell and tight end/defensive end Jimmy Leon. They also lost head coach Pat Nugent to retirement. But Mica Mountain built something special and is a team that will continue to reload every year. 

Death, taxes, Northwest Christian a contender. The Crusaders reload on a yearly basis, so this shouldn’t be much of a surprise. Laki Wallwork, who passed for over 2,700 yards last season, returns for his senior season. Last year’s top rusher in Nathan Johannes also returns, as well as wideout Landon Beckman, who had a standout sophomore season. 

The Dark Horses: Eastmark, St Mary’s, Peoria 

Eastmark went 5-5 last season but returns several key starters on both sides of the ball, including quarterbacks Dylan Gesner and standout sophomore Dayne Silver, as well as wideout Maximo Cano. Landyn Vigil returns to lead the defense under head coach Jason Lyons. 

St. Mary’s was also 5-5 last season but returns virtually all of its starters, led by quarterbacks John Houle and Billy Lewis. Running back Branson Brown will lead the rushing attack, while Anthony Cannon leads the wideouts. Nolan Brown will lead an experienced defense. 

When you have one of the best players in the state, you’re bound to make some sort of pre-season list. That’s the case for Peoria with wideout Dontay Tyson, the No. 3 ranked recruit in Arizona’s 2027 class, according to On3. Dominic Kramer returns at quarterback for the Panthers, giving the dynamic duo another year of experience together. 

3A Conference

The Favorite: Ben Franklin

The No. 1 seed in 3A all season, Ben Franklin ran into a buzz saw in Pusch Ridge in the semifinals, bringing an early end to a season in which the Chargers had all the pieces in place to win a state title. They return Gavin Wyler at quarterback, who threw for 2,239 yards last season and 28 touchdowns. They do, however, have to replace Ridge Allen, a 1,500-yard rusher. 

Still, the job Danny Norris and his staff have done reviving the Ben Franklin program is impressive. And with the talent now filtering through that program, the Chargers could find themselves right back in the semifinals and get over the hump this season. 

The Contenders: Thatcher, Pusch Ridge 

Thatcher and Pusch Ridge are two mainstays in the 3A Conference. The Eagles play a ground-and-pound style of football that was matched by ALA West Foothills last season in the semifinals. Chad Johnson returns at quarterback for Thatcher but he will have a somewhat new face in the backfield with him in Ryan Jones. 

The Lions will have many new faces at key positions this season, but as they’ve proven in year’s past, they always find a way to make it back to the dance. 

The Dark Horses: Seton Catholic, Valley Christian, ALA – Mesa 

Seton Catholic had a revival season last year but lost playmaker Luc Aguilar to graduation. If the Sentinels can fill the void, they can make a run. 

Valley Christian had a disappointing season as per the Trojans’ standards. But head coach Jake Petersen knows how to build a winner and the Trojans return key players. 

ALA – Mesa is unknown to many, as this will be the first varsity season for the Mavericks. But with Joe Germaine in charge, it’s only a matter of time before they shock opponents. 

2A Conference

The Favorite: Pima

A loss to Scottsdale Christian in the championship game is undoubtedly fueling the Roughriders as they prepare to enter the new season. And with quarterback Cedric Grimes, running back Rooster Alder, wideout Wade Peterson and linebacker Joe Palmer all returning, look out. 

The Contenders: Scottsdale Christian, Phoenix Christian 

Scottsdale Christian had a slow start last year and was written off by many. Then the Eagles turned it on toward the back half of the season and won the title as a 12-seed. Sean Helgeson, who passed for nearly 2,000 yards last season, returns as a senior. Running back Aiden Giannopoulos will man the backfield while linebacker Landon Olson leads the defense. 

Phoenix Christian was one of the top teams all season in 2A before being upset by Veritas Prep in the playoffs. The cougars will have some holes to fill on both sides of the ball, but a 9-2 season should fuel the Cougars and help them return to the postseason. 

The Dark Horses: Tonopah Valley, Arizona Lutheran, Santa Cruz Valley

Tonopah Valley was one of the more fun teams to watch last season with a high-powered offense. Shawn Kemmer takes over as head coach. 

Arizona Lutheran, like many teams on this list, graduate talent every season but reloads as well. That will be the case again this year as several key positions were up for grabs this off-season. 

New faces will also have to step up for Santa Cruz Valley this season. But this is a program that is always quietly in the mix.