SCHEDULE, PICKS
Top games of the week
Gilbert Perry p.m.
Perry is going through some transition, first moving on without state Player of the Year in Brock Purdy, then dealing with the season-ending injury loss of the state’s top-ranked wide receiver, senior D’Shayne James. Can junior QB Chubba Purdy fill big brother’s big shoes? Pinnacle QB Spencer Rattler is ready to make his senior season historical after leaving the 2017 season with 580 passing yards and five TDs in a 6A quarterfinal shootout loss to Chandler.
Chandler at Corona (Calif.) Centennial, 7 p.m.
This could be called the National High School Game of the Week. Both schools have a shot at finishing No. 1 in national polls in December. But Chandler has never beaten a big national power out of California early in the season. QB Jacob Conover is brimming with confidence, leading the Wolves back for what he hopes is a third consecutive state championship.
Scottsdale Chaparral at Chandler Hamilton, 7 p.m.
This is the biggest game of junior QB Jack Miller’s life. He comes in with national headlines as one of the best junior quarterbacks and an Ohio State commitment for Chaparral. He’ll be facing an angry defense that is tired of being knocked around the past two years. New coach Mike Zdebski built his Michigan hall of fame resume by producing great defense.
Phoenix Northwest Christian at Fountain Hills, 7 p.m.
Northwest Christian is ranked No. 1 in 3A by azcentral sports. But it struggled last year to put away Fountain Hills in a 14-9 opener. Coach Dave Innis brings back one of his most experienced Crusaders teams, but Jason Henslin, in his second year leading his alma mater at at Phoenix Pinnacle, 7 Fountain Hills, has enough dynamic athletes to make this a great game.
Mesa Desert Ridge at Mesa Mountain, 7 p.m.
Red Mountain will likely rely on a power run game with a strong offensive line paving the way. Same with Desert Ridge, but this will be one of the most challenging years for Jaguars coach Jeremy Hathcock with so many quality players leaving the program. One of those players, junior RB Deonce Elliott, will be on Red Mountain’s side.
Eagar Round Valley at Show Low, 7 p.m.
A great early test for both teams. Round Valley is the 2A powerhouse, albeit one who is still searching for a way to catch Thatcher for the championship. Show Low has always been a power in 3A, but is hoping to recapture the mystique it had during the Randy Ricedorff coaching era.
Gilbert Highland 7 p.m.
American Leadership AcademyQueen Creek at American Leadership Academy - Ironwood, 7 p.m.
Scottsdale Coronado at Phoenix Arcadia, 7 p.m.
Bagdad at Elfrida Valley Union,7 p.m. Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep at Laveen Betty H. Fairfax, 7 p.m.
Yuma Gila Ridge at Brawley (Calif.), 7 p.m.
Tucson Amphitheater at p.m.
Tucson Catalina Foothills
Vista Buena, 7 p.m.
Phoenix Carl Hayden at
Cactus Shadows, 7 p.m.
Peoria Centennial at Queen Casteel, 7 p.m.
Chandler Arizona
Chandler Prep, 7 p.m.
Phoenix Bourgade 7 p.m.
Glendale Apollo at Scottsdale Desert Mountain, 7 p.m. at Phoenix Alhambra, Buckeye, at Sierra Cave Creek Creek College Prep Catholic at Red 7 at Coolidge,
Palm Springs (Calif.) at Phoenix Desert Vista, 7 p.m.
Laveen Cesar Chavez at 7 p.m.
Prescott Valley Bradshaw Mountain at Goodyear Estrella Foothills, 7 p.m.
Oro Valley Canyon del Oro at Tucson Flowing Wells, 7 p.m.
Phoenix Scottsdale Christian Christian, 7 p.m.
Whiteriver Alchesay at Globe, 7 p.m. Paraclete (Calif.) at Gilbert Higley, 7 p.m.
Marana at Scottsdale Horizon, 7 p.m. Yuma Cibola at Imperial (Calif.), 7 p.m.
Pinon at Kingman, 7 p.m.
Lake Havasu at Kingman Lee 7 p.m.
Phoenix Brophy Prep at Peoria Liberty, 7 p.m.
Tempe McClintock p.m.
Tucson at Maryvale, 7 p.m. Superior at Mayer, 7 p.m.
Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor Mesa, 7 p.m.
Gilbert at Gilbert Mesquite, 7 p.m. San Tan Valley Combs at Cottonwood Mingus, 7 p.m.
Mesa Skyline
Ridge, 7 p.m.
Tempe Corona del Sol at Mesa Mountain View, 7 p.m.
Mohave Valley River Valley (Calif.), 7 p.m.
St. Johns vs. Tempe Prep, 7 p.m., at Mesa Community College
Phoenix Day School for the Deaf at Phoenix NFL Yet, 7 p.m.
Tucson Cholla at Nogales, 7 p.m. Gilbert Williams Field at Norco (Calif.), 7 p.m.
Chandler Basha p.m.
Payson at Page, 7 p.m.
Casa Grande at Tucson Palo Verde, 7 p.m.
Scottsdale Saguaro at San Tan Valley at East (Alaska), at Gilbert Williams, Maricopa, 7 at at Glendale Mountain at Needles at Phoenix North, 7 Poston Butte, 7 p.m.
Goodyear Desert Edge p.m.
Mesa Westwood at p.m.
Duncan at Kearny Ray, 7 p.m. Tucson Pusch Ridge at Rio Rio, 7 p.m. Apache Junction at Royal (Calif.), 7 p.m.
Eloy Santa Cruz Valley at Sahuarita, 7 p.m.
Casa Grande Vista Grande at Tucson Sahuaro, 7 p.m.
Buckeye Odyssey Institute at San Tan Foothills, 7 p.m.
Phoenix North Canyon
Shadow Mountain, 7 p.m.
Mesa Dobson at Surprise Shadow Ridge, 7 p.m.
Tucson Rincon at Phoenix Sierra Linda, 7 p.m.
Safford at Snowflake, 7 p.m. Gilbert Campo Verde at Tucson Sunnyside, 7 p.m.
Phoenix Central
Mountain, 7 p.m.
Morenci at Thatcher, 7 p.m.
Yuma Kofa at Phoenix Trevor Browne, 7 p.m.
Glendale Prep at
Prep, 7 p.m.
Phoenix ASU Prep at Phoenix Veritas Prep, 7 p.m.
Phoenix South Mountain at Verrado, 7 p.m.
Phoenix Camelback at Canyon, 7 p.m.
Lakeside Blue Ridge p.m.
American Leadership-Gilbert North at Kamehameha Maui, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 18
at at Prescott, 7 Queen Creek,7 at Peoria Phoenix Sunrise G. Goodyear Trivium Buckeye Surprise Willow at Winslow, 7
Ganado vs. Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin at Round Valley Dome, 2 p.m.
San Manuel at Yuma Catholic, 7:30 p.m.