2-a-days: High school previews

4A Kino

The teams: Oro Valley Canyon del Oro, Casa Grande, Tucson Catalina Foothills, Tucson Sahuaro, Tucson Salpointe Catholic, Casa Grande Vista Grande.

The favorite: Salpointe. Very athletic on both sides of the ball bolstered by solid lines.

Watch out: Sahuaro. The athletic Cougars are a mystery moving down from 5A, but you can always count on coach Scott McKee's teams to be tough.

The star: Salpointe RB Bijan Robinson, 6-foot, 200 pounds, junior. He is set to have an even greater season after rushing for 2,000 yards and leading the Lancers to the 4A final.

Key date: Aug. 31 -- Salpointe plays host to Goodyear Desert Edge, which will give the Lancers an early indication of good they are with a fast, physical defense.

4A Skyline

The teams: Phoenix Greenway, Phoenix Shadow Mountain, Phoenix Moon Valley, Phoenix St. Mary's, Tempe, Phoenix Thunderbird.

The favorite: Shadow Mountain. Returns entire offensive line that played varsity for the first time last year.

Watch out: Phoenix Greenway. A 6-4 team last year with QB Tyler Duncan throwing for 2,300 yards and 29 TDs.

The star: Shadow Mountain Athlete Jalen Williams, 6-4, 200, senior. Tremendous two-way player at wide receiver and outside linebacker/safety.

Key date: Oct. 26 -- Tempe plays at Shadow Mountain. By then, these could be the two biggest surprises in 4A with Tempe QB Nathan Clayton, 6-5, 215, ready to break out big.