2-a-days: High school football region 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.

4A Black Canyon

The teams: Apache Junction, San Tan Valley Combs, Phoenix Cortez, El Mirage Dysart, Glendale, Phoenix Washington.

The favorite: Glendale. This is the year the Cardinals make it back to the playoffs. They're big up front and fast and athletic in the backfield.

Watch out: Apache Junction. A playoff team last year, QB Gibson Limongello will keep the Prospectors in every game.

The star: Glendale RB Kevin Daniels, junior, 6-2, 220. Was a 1,000-yard rusher as a freshman and was on his way there again last year before an injury kept him out of last four games.

Key date: Oct. 19 – Glendale plays host to Apache Junction with region crown on line.

4A Desert Sky

The teams: Phoenix Arcadia, Tempe Marcos de Niza, Gilbert Mesquite, San Tan Valley Poston Butte, Scottsdale Saguaro, Chandler Seton Catholic.

The favorite: Saguaro. Who else? Sabercats have won five state titles in a row and this could be their best team yet. At least it is their most offered: 19 players have Division I college offers.

Watch out: Marcos de Niza. New coach Eric Lauer met a full cupboard coming over from Mountain Pointe, where he was one of Norris Vaughan's top assistants.

The star: Saguaro CB Kelee Ringo, junior, 6-2, 192. Has five stars in the recruiting services and may never see a pass thrown to his side this season.

Key date: Sept. 14 – Saguaro plays host to Chaparral, which was once the best big-school football rivalry in Arizona. Chaparral is now in 6A.