WEEK 3 WALK THROUGH FOR GAMES AUG. 31 AND SEPT. 1

6A

Hamilton (0-2) at Arbor View Hills (NV) (2-0

Corona del Sol (1-1) at Basha (2-0)

Queen Creek (1-1) at Cesar Chavez (1-1)

Mesa (0-2) at Chandler (1-1)

La Joya (1-0) at Chaparral (2-0)

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

Skyline (1-1) at Desert Ridge (1-1)

Maryvale (0-2) at Dobson (0-2)

Boulder Creek (1-0) at Highland (2-0)

Pinnacle (2-0) at Horizon (0-2)

Mountain View (1-1) at Mountain Pointe (0-1)

Red Mountain (2-0) at Perry (1-1)

Brophy Prep (1-1) at Tolleson (1-0)

Already surpassing its win total of last season is Basha. New coach Chris McDonald has watched the Bears rack up wins over North and Sandra Day O'Connor. Senior quarterback Connor Phelan has passed for 423 yards and six TDs. Corona del Sol notched its first win last week, edging Mountain Ridge. The mainstay offensively thus far for the Aztecs' is veteran receiver Ricky Pearsall (206 receiving yards and two TDs.). Basha is seeking its first 3-0 start since 2014. Red Mountain rolled to its second win last week and faces its toughest test to date against last year's runner-up, Perry. Red Mountain has stayed true to its balanced offensive approach doing equally well running and throwing. Perry has been quite productive on the ground so far with Jalen Young (160 yards) and Jaren Burns (148 yards) leading the way. Quarterback Chubba Purdy wasn't as prolific passing last week, but eliminated INTs in a win over Mountain View.

5A

Maricopa (1-1) at Apollo (1-1)

Desert Mountain (0-2) at Betty Fairfax (0-2)

Williams Field (1-1) at Cactus Shadows (1-1)

Notre Dame Prep (2-0) at Gilbert (2-0)

Higley (2-0) at Marana Mountain View (0-1)

South Mountain (1-1) at Paradise Valley (1-0)

Campo Verde (2-0) at Raymond Kellis (0-1)

McClintock (1-1) at Tempe (1-0)

Casteel (1-1) at Verrado (1-0)

North Canyon (0-2) at Ribet Academy, CA (0-1)

 

Notre Dame Prep-Gilbert is a battle of unbeatens. Two Jakes -- returning all-purpose standout Jake  Smith (567 yards rushing and receiving and 10 TDs) and new QB Jake Farrell (212 yards passing per game and 7 TDs) lead Notre Dame Preps's offense with wins over Betty Fairfax and Sunnyslope. Gilbert is throwing it all over with another Plummer at the controls. Will Plummer, younger brother of Jack who is at Purdue, has passed for 572 yards and rushed for another 129. He has 7 TD throws and Gilbert has knocked off Mesquite and Cactus Shadows. Campo Verde-Raymond Kellis is a chance for Campo Verde to open 3-0. The Coyotes have beaten Sunnyside and Mesquite. Running back Mike Leazier is again carrying the load with 351 yards rushing and four TDs -- both games are 100-yard plus efforts. Kellis was battered in its opener last week by Goldwater, 57-20.

 

4A

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

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

Mesquite (0-2) at Mingus (2-0)

Estrella Foothills (0-2) at Poston Butte (1-1)

Marcos de Niza (0-1) at St. Mary's (0-1)

Seton Catholic (1-0) at Xavier Prep (CA) (1-1)

Saguaro (1-1) at Helix, CA (1-1)

Arcadia and first-year coach Kerry Taylor have opened with two wins after last year's 0-10 campaign. The victory last week over Deer Valley was a bit more significant seeing as how both schools were in 5A last year and Deer Valley clearly the better team at that time. Arcadia running backs Paxton Earl, Lonzell Lanier and Kadin Beler have combined for 600 yards rushing and five TDs. Washington visits the Titans after a win its opener last week over Sierra Linda, 54-6.

 

3A

Benjamin Franklin (2-0) at American Leadership Gilbert (0-1)

Phoenix Christian (1-0) at American Leadership Ironwood (0-1)

Snowflake (1-1) at Florence (0-1)

American Leadership Queen Creek (1-1) at Monument Valley ((0-1)

Arizona College Prep ((0-2) at Odyssey Institute (2-0)

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

Scottsdale Christian (2-0) at Valley Christian (1-0)

 

Scottsdale Christian-Valley Christian have engaged in quite a rivalry over the years, particularly in boys basketball. SCA is still 2A and Valley Christian 3A. VC looked very good in the Kirk Sundberg's debut as coach in Flagstaff last week in the Trojans' 42-13 win over Chino Valley. Lots of weapons on display in that one and the defense did its share in helping with scoring and opportunities. SCA is also rolling with a new coach -- Jason Cauley. The Eagles are led by senior running back Shayne Pahnke (237 yards, 9 TDs) and senior quarterback Grant Schreyer has thrown for 376 yards and four TDs.

 

2A

Scottsdale Prep (1-0) at ASU Prep (0-2)

Veritas Prep (1-1) at Chandler Prep (2-0)

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