Chandler (1-1) at Phoenix Pinnacle (2-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
This is the middle of a brutal stretch for the top-ranked Chandler Wolves, who then have to play No. 2 Phoenix Mountain Pointe next week. No. 4 Pinnacle has QB Spencer Rattler and his main targets, physical receivers Hayden and Hogan Hatten, lighting up scoreboards. But now the Pioneers have a defense that could give Chandler trouble after the Wolves lost QB Jacob Conover to a sprained shoulder late in the first half in Saturday’s 27-14 loss to No. 2 nationally ranked IMG Academy. Bill Bolger is expected to make the start at QB for Chandler, as Conover rehabs. Salt Lake City East (1-1) at Scottsdale Saguaro (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m. Saguaro plays its first game on its new synthetic turf, which should make the Sabercats faster. They just want to make sure they don’t give up another 50 points after losing in Nevada to Liberty 51-20 last week. This is a tough home-field debut against the two-time defending Utah champion that is smarting after a lopsided loss to Bingham dropped East out of the USA TODAY Sports Top 25.
4 stars
Scottsdale Desert Mountain (2-0) at Scottsdale Notre Dame (2-0), Friday, 7 p.m. Both schools are off to impressive starts, especially Desert Mountain, which began last season 0-6, before winning its final four. Junior QB Kedon Slovis is taking advantage of talented receiver Josh Walker (14 catches, 226 yards, three TDs) and is Phoenix Mountain Pointe (1-0) vs. West Hills (Calif.) Chaminade (1-0), at Mission Viejo, Thursday, 7 p.m. This will be good for Mountain Pointe to play a quality California opponent on the road to see where it is, before having to tackle Chandler next week in a rematch of year’s 6A final. Mountain Pointe is well-rested after having last week off. Chaminade is coming off a 47-10 rout of Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian. Ryan Stevens threw for 310 yards and two TDs, so he’ll test Mountain Pointe’s fast secondary, led by Kenny Churchwell. Gilbert (1-0) at Gilbert Campo Verde (2-0), Friday, 7 p.m. Maybe this is the year Gilbert (1-9 in 2016) puts together a winning season. It has the quarterback, senior Jack Plummer, who can make it happen. The Purdue commit looked sharp in his season debut, throwing for 351 yards and five TDs in a 49-34 win over Gilbert Mesquite. Campo Verde put up nearly 50 points on each of its first two opponents. It might have to try to outscore the Tigers with Plummer on fire. Bagdad (2-0) at Williams (1-0), Friday, 7 p.m. Bagdad coach Dalton Mills