Vote in our poll. Top 2026 Arizona high school football games

[ASFN Admin]

The Arizona high school football season begins the third week of August.

Here is a look at what could be the matchups each week of the season. Top games may well change week to week depending on how the teams are doing, but based on the AIA schedules for 2026, these look like bets to be big games.

Vote in our poll for the matchup you think is best from our list. Print readers can find the poll online with this story at azcentral.com/sports/high-schools.

Week 1: Scottsdale Christian at Pima, Aug. 21​

This is the start of the small schools' season. The bigger schools, 6A, 5A and 4A, get going in full the following week. This has become a great 2A rivalry with the two teams meeting for the state championship in 2023 and '24, SCA winning both years. SCA, which will be led by receivers Caleb Murphy and Dom Dickerson, won its third straight title last year, beating St. Johns.

Week 2: Chandler at Basha, Aug. 28​

Nothing like a rematch of the 2025 Open Division state championship game to kick off the big-school football season. Basha won last year's state final showdown, 34-7, with quarterback Jake Rogers having a big game. Rogers is back and will be facing the No. 1-ranked quarterback in the state, Will Mencl, in a game between Top 25 teams in the nation.

Week 3: Corner Canyon (Utah) at Liberty, Sept. 4​

Liberty wants payback after traveling to Utah last year, only to lose to Corner Canyon 45-14. Coach Colin Thomas could be going with a two-quarterback system again, this time with senior Kenny Raymond and sophomore Jason Haines. They shared reps during June 7-on-7 passing tournaments.

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Week 4: Round Valley at St. Johns, Sept. 11​

One of the greatest and old-school rivalries you will find in Arizona. These schools are bitter enemies in the White Mountains. Round Valley captured the 3A title last year, beating Benjamin Franklin 13-10. St. Johns lost to Scottsdale Christian 27-22 in the 2A final. Both should be very good again. Round Valley won last year's meeting in Eager, playing in its dome stadium, 38-21

Week 5: Liberty at Basha, Sept. 18​

It was a defensive battle last year in the Open state semifinals, with Basha holding on for a 19-16 win, with Basha kicker Mikey Barth accounting for the only points in the final quarter with his field goal that broke the tie. Expect another tough heavyweight battle between these elite teams.

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Week 6: Chandler vs. Brophy at Central, Sept. 24​

This is a Thursday night game that could have the making of a classic. By then, Brophy will know how well the offense is running behind junior quarterback Noah Stewart. Brophy coach Jason Jewell will put his offensive line against any other in the state. Chandler's line is pretty good, too, and it has speed and playmakers on offense to make this a great game.

Week 7: Perry at Higley, Oct. 1​

This game has a chance to be special. Higley coach Eddy Zubey feels this is his strongest team since being in 6A. And Perry feels the page might be turning under new coach Jeremy Hathcock, who will have quarterback Kael Snyder dialed into his revamped offense with wide receiver Amos Augustine.

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Week 8: Snowflake at Combs, Oct. 9​

This is a good 4A game with Snowflake having something to prove after going 10-2, losing to eventual state champion Mica Mountain in the quarterfinals. The wheels started coming off this time last year for Combs, losing to the Lobos 31-14 a week after falling to Arcadia 37-0. Before that, Combs had posted five straight shutouts to start the season.

Week 9: Mesa Mountain View at Red Mountain, Oct. 16​

The biggest game in Mesa each year, this Brown Road rivalry has survived the test of time. If this is like last year, it should be a thriller. Red Mountain pulled out a 23-22 win over Mountain View last season, as the Lions outscored the Toros 6-0 in the second half. By this time of the year, Red Mountain could be going with Dayne Silver, a transfer from Eastmark, at quarterback.

Week 10: Hamilton at Liberty, Oct. 23​

Another heavyweight battle. Hamilton will see how quarterback Jax Sculley's surgically repaired knee is holding up by then. Home-run hitters Roye Oliver III and brother Roman Oliver could be challenged against a strong secondary. This could be an Open semifinal preview. Another great game this night is Desert Mountain at Horizon, a monster 5A showdown.

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Week 11: Desert Edge at Millennium, Oct. 30​

This is a titanic 5A showdown in Goodyear. Millennium will try to utilize its big, strong offensive line and unleash running back D'Mari Bryant against one of the fastest, most skilled teams in the state. Desert Edge quarterback Blake Roskopf has more weapons around him this year to make a strong push for a 5A title.

Week 12: Chandler at Hamilton, Nov. 5; and Liberty at Centennial, Nov. 6​

This is rivalry week with two big ones. Chandler against Hamilton in the Southeast Valley on a Thursday night, and Liberty against Centennial in the Northwest Valley on a Friday. Make it Rivalry Road Trip Weekend. Both feature teams that could go far in the Open state playoffs.


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 in our poll. Top 2026 Arizona high school football games

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