High school FB 2-a-days: 3A South, West previews

This is a look at the region previews for the 2018 Arizona high school football season.

Check back each day for updates. The season kicks off Aug. 17 with Zero Week.

3A South

The teams: Tucson Catalina, Tucson Pusch Ridge Academy, Tucson Sabino, Safford, Sahuarita, Tucson Tanque Verde.

The favorite: Sabino. Must replace QB Alex Bell but loaded with playmakers.

Watch out: Pusch Ridge. Heavy graduation from 13-1 team but tradition doesn't go away.

The star: Sahuarita WR/S Christian Gonzales. The 6-2, 192-pound junior had 29 catches for 486 yards and averaged 32 yards a kickoff return.

Key date: Oct. 12 -- Pusch Ridge plays at Sabino perhaps for the region crown.

3A West

The teams: Chino Valley, Kingman, Kingman Academy, Phoenix Northwest Christian, Mohave Valley River Valley, Wickenburg.

The favorite: Northwest Christian. 17 starters return and 22 who have played football together since the seventh grade.

Watch out: Wickenburg. RB Kegan Lindsay was a 1,000-yard rusher last season.

The star: Northwest Christian QB Johnathan Metzger. Junior passed for 1,319 yards and 18 TDs on varsity as a sophomore.

Key date: Aug. 25 -- Yuma Catholic plays at Northwest Christian in what figures to be a matchup of teams capable of reaching the 3A final.