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This is part of a continuing summer series, previewing the 2026 Arizona high school football season. We started with the 1A, 8-man rankings. Now we rank the preseason Top 10 teams in the Arizona Interscholastic Association 2A Conference. This is 11-man football.
We will roll out the Top 10 teams from each conference over the next several weeks, leading up to the start of the season.
1. Scottsdale Christian
There is no letting up by the Eagles, who have captured the past three 2A state titles. They have three of the best receivers in the conference in Dom Dickerson, Caleb Murphy and Kyle Olafson, and a good quarterback in Carson Reed, who has shown leadership qualities.
2. Pima
The Roughriders hope to make a statement in the Aug. 21 season opener at home against Scottsdale Christian. Pima is a proud program with 10 state championships, including the 2022 crown.
3. Gilbert San Tan Charter
The Roadrunners beat Pima, 27-9, in the first round of the playoffs before falling to Scottsdale Christian, 14-7, in the quarterfinals last year. That loss is driving this team to break through against the Eagles.
4. St. Johns
The Redskins had Scottsdale Christian on the ropes in last year's 2A final before losing, 27-22. They graduated two 1,000-yard rushers but return mobile quarterback Kaden Waite.
5. Chandler Prep
This team won't fly under the radar after going 8-4, but the defense will need to step up after giving up 73 points in a quarterfinal loss to St. Johns. The Titans have great receivers, led by senior Aaron Crawford, who caught 51 passes for 1,015 yards and 16 TDs last year.
6. Willcox
A 10-win team last year that lost in the semifinals to Scottsdale Christian, 28-25. Running back Kaleb Cooke figures to have another big year after rushing for 1,577 yards and 18 TDs last season.
7. Phoenix Arizona Lutheran
Seth Zimmerman follows David Peter as head coach, and, even though a big chunk of offensive production graduated, the Coyotes figure to be in the hunt with a fierce defense.
8. Morenci
The Wildcats, who went 7-5 last year, took a rough 55-0 loss to Scottsdale Christian in the playoffs. They're determined not to have an early playoff exit this year.
9. Tucson Tanque Verde
The Hawks are stinging from the 29-16 semifinal loss to St. Johns. They graduated 24 players from an 11-win team, but they always seem to reload and find the right chemistry to go deep in the playoffs.
10. Phoenix Veritas Prep
The Falcons won't surprise people like they did last year when they won 11 straight games, before losing to Tanque Verde 28-23 in the state quarterfinals. They've been on the rise the past four years.
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Vote. Arizona Republic's top 10 high school 2A football teams in 2026
Continue reading...
We will roll out the Top 10 teams from each conference over the next several weeks, leading up to the start of the season.
Top 10 2A football teams
1. Scottsdale Christian
There is no letting up by the Eagles, who have captured the past three 2A state titles. They have three of the best receivers in the conference in Dom Dickerson, Caleb Murphy and Kyle Olafson, and a good quarterback in Carson Reed, who has shown leadership qualities.
2. Pima
The Roughriders hope to make a statement in the Aug. 21 season opener at home against Scottsdale Christian. Pima is a proud program with 10 state championships, including the 2022 crown.
3. Gilbert San Tan Charter
The Roadrunners beat Pima, 27-9, in the first round of the playoffs before falling to Scottsdale Christian, 14-7, in the quarterfinals last year. That loss is driving this team to break through against the Eagles.
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4. St. Johns
The Redskins had Scottsdale Christian on the ropes in last year's 2A final before losing, 27-22. They graduated two 1,000-yard rushers but return mobile quarterback Kaden Waite.
5. Chandler Prep
This team won't fly under the radar after going 8-4, but the defense will need to step up after giving up 73 points in a quarterfinal loss to St. Johns. The Titans have great receivers, led by senior Aaron Crawford, who caught 51 passes for 1,015 yards and 16 TDs last year.
6. Willcox
A 10-win team last year that lost in the semifinals to Scottsdale Christian, 28-25. Running back Kaleb Cooke figures to have another big year after rushing for 1,577 yards and 18 TDs last season.
7. Phoenix Arizona Lutheran
Seth Zimmerman follows David Peter as head coach, and, even though a big chunk of offensive production graduated, the Coyotes figure to be in the hunt with a fierce defense.
8. Morenci
The Wildcats, who went 7-5 last year, took a rough 55-0 loss to Scottsdale Christian in the playoffs. They're determined not to have an early playoff exit this year.
9. Tucson Tanque Verde
The Hawks are stinging from the 29-16 semifinal loss to St. Johns. They graduated 24 players from an 11-win team, but they always seem to reload and find the right chemistry to go deep in the playoffs.
10. Phoenix Veritas Prep
The Falcons won't surprise people like they did last year when they won 11 straight games, before losing to Tanque Verde 28-23 in the state quarterfinals. They've been on the rise the past four years.
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Vote. Arizona Republic's top 10 high school 2A football teams in 2026
Continue reading...
