The 2019 football season begins for most schools this week. Questions there for the asking. Here are a few random ones:

For 6A-5A-4A schools, who will qualify come Nov. 2 for the first ever Open Division championship. Who will be left to sort out the 6A, 5A and 4A Conference championships. Can Hamilton return to 6A postseason after not qualifying for the first time in its history? Can the 5A San Tan Region (6 schools) and the 2A Black Region (5 schools) qualify all of its schools for the playoffs again? Can Thatcher continue its reign in 2A that's seen the Eagles tally three consecutive titles. Can American Leadership Academy schools be a factor in the 3A title chase with two of them coming off probation?

The answers will be revealed slowly but surely.  Get out to a game this weekend. Brave the heat with the players. You know what to expect in August and September - and hopefully October will be a comfort weatherwise for a change. 

Here are the games on tap involving East Valley and Northeast Valley schools in Week 1:

Schools in bold qualified for postseason in 2018

All games Aug. 23 unless noted

6A

North at Basha

Liberty vs. Brophy Prep (@ Phoenix College) - Head coaching debut for Brophy Prep's Jason Jewell.

Hamilton at Chaparral - Hamilton missed the playoffs last year for the first time in its 20-years (1999-2018) competing for a varsity level title.

Mountain View at Corona del Sol

Red Mountain at Desert Ridge

Palm Springs CA at Desert Vista

Shadow Ridge at Dobson - Debut for Dobson coach Bill Godsil who coached Coolidge to a playoff spot last season.

Mountain Pointe at Faith Lutheran NV

Alhambra at Highland

Chandler at Liberty NV -- First game as a head coach for Chandler's Rick Garretson.

Pinnacle at Perry - Teams split two games last year. Pinnacle won in regular season, Perry prevailed in playoffs.

Mesa at Sandra Day O'Connor - M is the word for new Mesa coach Chad DeGrenier He re-debuts in 6A East Valley Region after stops at Mountain View and Mesquite earlier this decade.

Mountain Ridge at Skyline - The curtain rises for new Skyline coach George Hawthorne, a former Chandler High assistant. Ditto that for Doug Madoski at Mtn. Ridge. Former Scottsdale Community College head coach.

Queen Creek at Westwood - Joe Germaine begins his second stint as head coach after six years as assistant coach for the Bulldogs.

5A

North Canyon at Apache Junction

Desert Mountain at Apollo - Conrad Hamilton debuts as Desert Mountain coach after stint as assistant at Mountain Pointe and prior to that Chaparral head coach.

Sunnyside at Campo Verde - Glenn Posey, a Blue Devil alum, returns as coach at Sunnyside.

Cactus Shadows at Carl Hayden

Casteel at Centennial

Mesquite at Gilbert - First game back in the coaching box for Scott Hare, who was the Wildcats AD recently and piloted Mesa High a few years back.

Horizon at Marana

Maricopa at McClintock

Betty Fairfax at Notre Dame Prep -- Notre Dame Prep has won its last 25 regular season games in a row.

Norco CA at Williams Field - Williams Field's only regular season loss last year was at Norco.

Bishop Alemany CA at Higley (Aug. 24)

4A

Mingus at Combs

Arcadia at Coronado

Poston Butte at Saguaro

3A

Benjamin Franklin at Ganado

ALA Ironwood at ALA Queen Creek - ALA-QC was 8-2 last year, but probation kept it out of postseason.

Chandler Prep at Arizona College Prep

ALA Gilbert at Gilbert Christian - Danny Norris' first game coaching for the Knights. Piloted North Pointe Prep last two years and managed a playoff berth last year.

Fountain Hills at Northwest Christian

San Tan Foothills at Odyssey Institute

Valley Christian at Scottsdale Christian - Coaching debut for Nate Holtz at SCA.

Heritage Academy at Scottsdale Prep

1A

Arete Prep at Mogollon