SPOTLIGHT GAMES

5 stars

Gilbert Perry (6-0) at Chandler (5-2), 7 p.m.

This 6A Premier Region game is a chance for top-ranked Perry to show that it is ready for prime time, to assert itself as the premier Chandler district football power. It's also a chance for injury-riddled Chandler to reassert itself as the state power. This could be the return of QB Jacob Conover, who has to go through medical checkups this week to see if his injured shoulder is sound to come back.

4 stars

Glendale Cactus (6-0) at Peoria Sunrise Mountain (5-1), 7 p.m.

Peoria lost track of Cactus RB Damaria Norris in the second half last week when the senior ran for six touchdowns. Now Sunrise Mountain's improved defense will have to see how far it has come this season in what figures to be one of its greatest 4A tasks. Cactus is the only unbeaten team left in 4A.

Queen Creek (7-0) at Gilbert Campo Verde (6-1), 7 p.m.

Campo Verde junior RB Matt Leazier has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of his first seven varsity games. He even went over 100 in the only game Campo lost – a 28-27 setback to defending 5A champion Gilbert Williams Field. Now comes another huge challenge, as Queen Creek didn't even let Syracuse commit Jawhar Jordan Jr. of Chandler Hamilton surpass 100 yards.

Mesa Red Mountain (4-2) at Mesa Mountain View (3-3), 7 p.m.

These two east Mesa schools reside on Brown Road, and makes for one of the state's best rivalries. Red Mountain has won four in a row since starting 0-2 against Chandler and Hamilton. Mountain View played Pinnacle and Mountain Pointe tough but had trouble in the red zone, and the Skyline loss came down to the final play. What gives?

3 stars

Tucson Sabino (5-1) at Tucson Pusch Ridge (6-0), 7 p.m.

All the talk in 3A has been about No. 1 Queen Creek Casteel and how it is on top without a senior class. But Pusch Ridge and Sabino both believe they have what it takes to win the 3A championship. This game will go a long way in saying which team has the better chance of overtaking Casteel in the end. And don't forget about defending champ Queen Creek American Leadership in what should be a dramatic stretch in 3A. Goodyear Desert Edge (4-2) at Phoenix Barry Goldwater (4-2), 7 p.m.

For Goldwater to say it has really turned things around under new coach Doug Provenzano, here is the Bulldogs' chance. Desert Edge made a quick turnaround under coach Jose Lucero after an 0-2 start. Desert Edge has only thrown 35 passes, completing 18, in six games. But it has gained 1,572 yards on the ground behind one of the state's best lines.

Phoenix North (4-2) at Laveen Cesar Chavez (3-3), 7 p.m.

Phoenix Central will have a say down the road, but usually the 6A Metro title runs through these two teams with this game. Chavez has ruled the Phoenix Union district in football, but North coach Bernie Busken has quietly gotten the Mustangs in the Metro championship hunt again with a bunch of overachievers.

Gilbert Highland (5-1) at Phoenix Mountain Pointe (5-1), 7 p.m.

All that feel-good stuff about Highland's 5-0 start under new coach Brock Farrel unraveled two weeks ago in a 56-6 loss to Perry. With a week off, here is a chance to rebuild from that. But it won't be easy against one of the state's top defenses that can make the best-looking offenses look ugly.