Arizona 2A football preview, rankings

It’s day-to-day in the days of the pandemic, but high school football has the green light from the Arizona Interscholastic Association to play, with most varsity games kicking off Oct. 2.

Let’s break down the conferences, one each day, starting with 1A and working up to the Open Division (Super 10). Today, it’s 2A.

2A Conference

There are 34 2A schools listed in the AIA’s football standings. There is no more Thatcher, Phoenix Christian and Eagar Round Valley, all bumped up to 3A because of their success over the past few years.

But it is two newcomers to the AIA -- Gilbert San Tan Charter and Maricopa Sequoia Pathway -- that could make major waves.

San Tan Charter is coming off a championship season in the Canyon Athletic Association, avenging two regular-season losses to Sequoia Pathway, which also enters the AIA for the first time, for the championship. It was Sequoia Pathway’s only loss.

Those schools won’t have to wait long to see if they are ready for the AIA. San Tan Charter, now led by coach Kerry Taylor, opens on Oct. 2 against preseason No. 1 Eloy Santa Cruz. Sequoia Pathway opens at No.10 Bisbee.

“There really isn’t a weak spot on our team right now,” Taylor said.

Coach Rishard Davis has Santa Cruz feeling good about its chance of winning its first state title since 1990. Davis guided the Dust Devils to the 2A final in 2017, before losing to Thatcher 28-27 in overtime.

Week 1 will be telling.

Will Santa Cruz’s speed and athleticism be too much for San Tan Charter? Will Bisbee’s physical, punishing style be too much for Pathway?

Preseason Top 10

1. Eloy Santa Cruz: An established 2A power that is fast, physical, punishing, led by RB Hunter Ogle (1,844 rushing yards, 24 TDs).

2. Gilbert San Tan Charter: Great linebacker group, these guys should make smooth transition into AIA with eight starters back on offense and nine on defense. Great combination of size and athleticism.

3. St. Johns: Coach Mike Morgan needs one win to pass Paul Moro for the most victories in Arizona high school football history.

4. Benson: Lost some key leaders, but returns five on offense and five on defense to make a run at state.

5. Morenci: Physical, tough defensiveminded team will let you know you’re in a battle.

6. Maricopa Sequoia Pathway: Another CAA team making the transition after going 9-1 last year.

7. Trivium Prep: Lost its only game last year to Thatcher in the playoffs after averaging more than 300 rushing yards a game.

8. Veritas Prep: Coming off an 8-3 season that ended with a loss to Benson in the first round of the playoffs.

9. Miami: Returns explosive offense, led by QB Ryan Powell (2,900 yards, 32 TDs last season) and WR Gabe Escobedo (68 catches, 1,627 yards, 21 total TDs).

10. Parker: Returns two 1,000-yard rushers from a 10-2 team.

Dark horse

Chandler Prep will transition well from coach Chris Goodman to the father-son cohead coaching duo of Tommy and Josh Brittain. Tommy built Tempe Prep with his son playing and coaching for him into a 2A powerhouse. Both know how to get the most out of their players. The team went strong all summer and returns dual-threat quarterback Reese Vilaboy and a strong offensive and defensive line from a 7-4 team. Don’t be surprised if they make a run for the title.

Key players

Hunter Ogle, Santa Cruz, RB; E.J. Hernandez, Bisbee, OL/DL; Christian Contreras, Bisbee, OL/DL; Gage Lentz, Veritas Prep, QB; Nisa Maafu, Veritas Prep, RB; August Hubbard, Trivium Prep, WR; Oscar Frias, Scottsdale Prep, QB; Eman Alaniz, Parker, RB; Uriah Martinez, Parker, RB; Cameron Gates, Tonopah Valley, WR/LB/KR; Luis Diaz, Tonopah Valley, WR; Oakland Webb, Tonopah Valley, WR/DB; Trae Baker, San Tan Charter, WR/ DB; Ethan Ball, San Tan Charter, OL/DL; Kevin Perkins, San Tan Charter, OL/DL; Brok Determan, Benson, QB/SS; Nicholas Patterson, St. Johns, DL; Ira Tullous, St. Johns, RB; Matthew McCelland, Arete Prep, QB; Sam Martin, Chandler Prep, RB; Daniel Peake, Chandler Prep, OL/DL; Aidan Daly, Chandler Prep, RB/LB; Sam Martin, Chandler Prep, DL/OLB.

Key date

Oct. 2: Right out of the gate, San Tan Charter will see how legit it is, facing the No.1ranked team in 2A in a battle of 1 against 2.