Chandler Basha football begins 2023 season with national ranking,
Arizona’s Open Division might be the most wide-open than it ever has been since the AIA started an eight-team ultimate state playoff in 2019.
All eight teams that get in this year might have a legit shot to walk off the Sun Devil Stadium stage as the kings of Arizona high school football.
But, for now, defending champion Chandler Basha wears the target, which comes increasingly in focus after MaxPreps dropped its preseason Top 25 teams in the nation on Monday.
Basha is the only Arizona school ranked in the Top 25 at No. 18.
Last year was the first time in Basha’s history that it broke into the national Top 25.
Now this is the first time the school is starting a season ranked among the 25 best in the country.
“It’s nice to be recognized,” coach Chris McDonald said. “But it’s for being recognized for work that we’ve done in the past.
“We know with this ranking comes responsibility. We know that we’ve got a target on our back. I think it also speaks to the level of football that there is in Arizona. There’s a lot of really good teams. I think that has a lot to do with it, as well.”
This is the most difficult year in some time to pick a preseason No. 1 in Arizona.
Of course, Basha is there, but, even though it returns fourth-year starting quarterback Demond Williams Jr., there are questions around the offensive line and how will young but talented guys step up in huge holes that need filling.
Chandler Hamilton, with its humungous line, quality defense, skilled players and an experienced quarterback in Beckham Pellant, has a chance to be the top team.
Scottsdale Saguaro, with new coach Zak Hill, who has an impressive college resume as an offensive coordinator, is in the mix, along with Peoria powers Liberty and Centennial. And you can’t count out Gilbert Highland, the two-time defending 6A champion. Of course, Chandler, not used to being unranked nationally entering the season, will use the non-national ranking as fuel to prove it still is relevant nationally.
There are even more 5A schools than ever with a legit shot. Such as Scottsdale Desert Mountain, defending 5A champion Gilbert Higley, loaded Goodyear Desert Edge, and Horizon.
“You don’t get awards for winning preseason rankings,” McDonald said. “We’ve got to do our part, as well.”