Football matchups for Week 3 (Labor Day Weekend) involving East Valley/Northeast Valley schools for (Sept. 1-2). Ten of them highlighted:

Aug. 31

6A Mountain Pointe (1-0) vs. Chaminade (CA) (1-0) at Mission Viejo, Calif: It wasn't a successful outing on the W front for top Arizona schools vs. out-of-state competition last week as defending 6A champ Chandler played IMG Academy tough, but lost, 27-14, and 4A champ Saguaro was pummeled by Liberty High Nev., 51-20. Mountain Pointe gets a shot vs. Chaminade in the Under Armour Brothers in Arms Classic with a chance to redeem the state. Mountain Pointe was off last week after opening with a win over Sandra Day O'Connor. Standout running back Gary Bragg got back in the swing of things with about a half-game's worth of action, good for 131 yards on 16 carries and three TDs. Chaminade carved up Oaks Chriistian, Calif., 47-10, behind 310 yards passing and three TDs from quarterback Ryan Stevens in its opener.

Sept. 1

6A Highland (2-0) at 6A Cesar Chavez (0-1): Highland remained perfect under new coach Brock Farrel, pitching a shutout over last year's 6A East Valley Region champ, Skyline, on the Coyotes' home turf. Highland has allowed just 13 points in two games -- one vs. a passy-happy squad and the other that pride's itself on the the run. Cesar Chavez was on bye last week after dropping a tight, 27-21 decision to Queen Creek earlier.

6A Chandler (1-1) at 6A Pinnacle (2-0): Pinnacle has been impressive in two blowout wins over Brophy Prep and Basha. The anticipated QB matchup of Jacob Conover-Spencer Rattler won't come off with Conover nursing a shoulder injury suffered late first half last week vs. IMG. Rattler is the state's incumbent QB and has performed like it thus far -- 518 yards, six TDs and a 77 percent pass completion percentage. The only down side is three picks. Pinnacle is also averaging 250 yards rushing per game, giving defenses something else to think about. Chandler played pretty good defense, save a long TD run late and has a capable offense even without Conover. Wide outs Gunner Romney and Jarick Caldwell have combined for 20 receptions and 441 yard in two games. Billy Bolger will start at QB for Chandler after a decent effort for a half vs. IMG.

6A Tucson (2-0) at 6A Desert Ridge (1-0): Tucson has bettered Buena and Mountain Ridge -- two programs trying to rebound from tough years, in its first two games. Tucson takes a step up in competition with Desert Ridge. Desert Ridge used the running of senior Tyrese Allen, junior QB Cooper Schmidt and sophomore Deonce Elliot for the bulk of its offense (308 rushing yards) in topping Brophy. Allen led a 38-14 win over Tucson last year with a 100-yard plus night on the ground.

6A Gilbert (1-0) at 5A Campo Verde (2-0): Gilbert showed promise in its opening win putting up 49 points on Mesquite and reversing in a big way last season's opening-night loss. Senior quarterback Jack Plummer began his third season as the starter behind center in fine fashion. Plummer passed for 312 yards and five touchdowns. The year befor Gilbert was humbled by Mesquite, 37-3. Plummer threw for half that total in that one. Campo Verde has had little trouble thus far in wins over Agua Fria and Ironwood. Campo's success on the ground continued last week as Matt Leazier posted his second straight 165-yard effort. Jett Brown also eclipsed the 100-yard mark (107 vs. Ironwood). 

6A Desert Mountain (2-0) at 5A Notre Dame Prep (2-0): Junior QB Kedon Slovis is enjoying a great start to the year with 646 yards passing, 8 TDs and four receivers who have combined for 100 yards or more receiving and all the scores thus far. Chaparral and Mesa High have been the victims of the Wolves who are averaging 40 points a game. Notre Dame stayed unbeaten topping Desert Edge in OT last week with running back Cole Fisher doing most of the damage on offense with a 173 yards rushing.

5A McClintock (1-0) at 5A Marana (1-1): Corbin Smith's first game as coach at McClintock went well in a 42-6 win over Vista Grande. The Chargers excelled in the running game with Tyrese Green (166 yards rushing, 4 TDs) and Dylan Mcmonigal chipping in 103 yards and a score. Marana has been an up-and-coming program on the outskirts of Tucson. The Tigers 0-2 record is courtesy of high-scoring, one-score defeats to Ironwood Ridge and Cienega, two of the top programs in Tucson. Marana has scored 85 points in its two games.

East High, Utah (1-1) at 4A Saguaro (1-1): Saguaro lands on its home turf to face a second straight out-of-state opponent in East High, a solid program in Utah. Saguaro suffered a rare blowout loss last week, falling to Liberty, Nev., 51-20. Saguaro was decimated by by three turnovers, two pick sixes and a scoop and score. Saguaro was hit up for 35 points in the second quarter. Not Max Massingale's best game, but the senior looks to rebound against East, which is recovering from a 48-17 loss to Bingham, Utah. East's attack revolves around running back Sione Molisi, who has 351 yards in two games. Molisi rushed for better than 1,000 yards last season as East's No. 2 back.

3A Sabino (2-0) at 3A American Leadership Academy (1-1): Rematch of last year's 3A title game, won by American Leadership. American Leadership dropped a 24-14 decision to Pusch Ridge, another 3A contender for the title this season, last week. ALA was stymied on the ground in the loss totaling 1 yard on the ground. ALA turned the ball over three times on interceptions. Bujon Boyd is the Patriots top threat at receiver with nearly 200 yards receiving in two games. Sabino QB Alex Bell is getting his first full shot at the position after sharing it at times last year with Drew Dixon. Bell has accounted for almost 600 yards rushing and passing and 6 TDs thus far. He piled up over 2,000 yards last season rushing and passing.

2A Tempe Prep (1-0) at 2A Round Valley (2-0): These teams played a competitive, entertaining contest last year at Mesa Community College with Round Valley prevailing, 24-13. Tempe Prep opened with a 40-28 win over Valley Christian. Round Valley toppled Show Low, 41-12, in its opener and followed up with a 34-7 win over Silver High, Silver City, N.M. Round Valley is led by running back/linebacker Dylan Workman and fullback/nose guard Colter Hogle. Elks have been stingy on defense and efficient enough on offense so far given only three starters returned on each side of the ball.

6A

 Desert Vista (0-1) at Basha (1-1)

Dobson (1-0) at Central (0-1)

Paradise Valley (0-2) at Horizon (1-1)

Copper Canyon (0-1) at Mesa (0-2)

Corona del Sol (1-1) at Mesa Mtn, View (1-0)

Hamilton (1-1) at Red Mountain (0-1)

Valley Vista (0-1) at Skyline (1-1)

Brophy Prep (0-2) at Westview (0-1)

Perry (2-0) at Westwood (1-1)

5A

Sept. 1

Liberty (1-0) at Arcadia (0-2)

Maricopa (2-0) at Desert View (1-0)

Poston Butte (0-1) at Independence (0-1)

Apollo (0-1) at Mesquite (1-1)

Sahuaro (0-1) at Queen Creek (2-0)

Ironwood (0-1) at Wiliams Field (2-0)

4A

Sept. 1

Canyon del Oro (1-0) at Apache Junction (0-1)

Tempe (0-2) at Buckeye (0-2)

Marcos de Niza (1-0) at Cactus (1-1)

Prescott (0-1) at Combs (0-1)

Peoria (1-0) at Coronado (0-1)

Seton Catholic (1-1) at Moon Valley (1-0)

Higley (1-0) vs. St. Mary's (0-2) at Phoenix College 

3A

Sept. 1

Catalina Magnet (2-0) at Benjamin Franklin (0-1)

Empire (1-0) at Casteel (2-0)

Scottsdale Prep (0-1) at North Pointe Prep (0-1)

Fountain HIlls (0-1) at Payson (0-2)

Northwest Christian (1-0) at Valley Christian (0-1)

2A

Sept. 1

San Tan Foothills (2-0) at Gilbert Christian (1-0)

Chandler Prep (1-0) at Phoenix Christian (1-0)

Camp Verde (0-1) at Scottsdale Christian (2-0)