Here are The Arizona Republic’s high school football rankings for Week 3 of the 2024 season for each AIA conference. They include the Super 10, the best overall teams we see as contenders for the open playoff round, where the top eight teams from the three biggest conferences play for the state title. Vote for who you think should be No. 1 in our poll below (print readers can find that, along with the story, at azcentral.com/sports/high-school).
Super10
1. Peoria Liberty Lions, 2-0
They have yet to drop a point, but will face a 2-0 leading and rejuvenated Mesa Mountain View team that just scored 57 points against Scottsdale Saguaro.
2. Chandler Basha Bears, 2-0
With super sophomore Noah Roberts running rampant behind one of the state’s biggest and best offensive lines, this team seems to be on a mission to get back to the Open finals after falling in the semifinals last year.
3. Chandler Hamilton Huskies, 2-0
They should be 5-0 before facing Basha on October 11 at the start of the second half of the season.
4. Gilbert Highland Hawks, 2-0
Last year, they slipped up in California after an emotional win over Basha. And now they’re headed back to California this week (to play 1-2 Frontier) after an emotional 24-17 win over Peoria Centennial.
5. Peoria Centennial Coyotes, 0-2
They lost to Hamilton and Highland by one touchdown to start the season, and now they have a big task ahead of them as they try to beat Brophy Prep 2-0 this week.
6. Gilbert Higley Knights, 2-0
Their attempt to advance from 5A to the Open faces a huge hurdle on Friday with Marana and dynamic receiver Dezmen Roebuck.
7. Chandler Wolves, 2-0
They used two quarterbacks, but beefy running back Tristan Halsana took the pressure off the passing game with his two 100-yard rushing games to start the season.
8. Phoenix Brophy Broncos, 2-0
These guys will face a desperate Centennial team on Friday after the Coyotes lost their first two games.
9. ALA Queen Creek Patriots, 2-0
Coach Rich Edwards has got these guys pumped up in his return to the program, but they should be put to the test on Thursday against 5A ALA Gilbert North.
10. Mesa Red Mountain Lions, 2-0
Quarterback Simon Lopez delivered a near-perfect performance last week, completing nine of 10 passes, five of which resulted in touchdowns in the 53-6 win over Valley Vista.
6A Conference
1. Liberty, 2:0
2. Basha, 2:0
3.Hamilton, 2-0
4. Highlands, 2:0
5. Centennial, 2:0
6. Chandler, 2-0
7. Brophy Prep, 2-0
8. ALA Queen Creek, 2-0
9. Red Mountain, 2-0
10. Gilbert Perry, 2-0
Summary of Friday night’s Brophy vs. Regis Jesuit football game
High school sports reporter Richard Obert recaps the Brophy vs. Regis Jesuit football game on September 6, 2024.
5A Conference
1. Higley, 2:0
2. ALA Gilbert North, 2-0
3. Marana, 2:0
4. Scottsdale-Notre Dame, 2-0
5. Scottsdale Desert Mountain, 2-0
6. Goodyear Desert Edge, 0-2
7. Tempe McClintock, 2-0
8. Cave Creek Cactus Shadows, 2-0
9. Scottsdale Horizons, 2-0
10. Glendale Cactus, 1-1
4A Conference
1. Phoenix Thunderbirds, 2:0
2. Tucson Mica Mountain, 2-0
3. Yuma Catholic, 2-0
4. Snowflake, 2-0
5. Phoenix Arcadia, 2:0
6. Chandler Arizona College Prep, 1-1
7. Phoenix Northwest Christian, 2-0
8. Goodyear Estrella Foothills, 2-0
9. San Tan Valley Combs, 2-0
10. Prescott, 1:1
3A Conference
1. ALA West Foothills, 3-0
2. Thatcher, 3:0
3. Florence, 3:0
4. ALA Ironwood, 3-0
5. Chandler Valley Christian, 1-2
6. River Valley, 3-0
7. Benjamin Franklin Queen Creek, 3-0
8. Lakeside Blue Ridge, 3-0
9. Payson, 3-0
10. Tucson Sabino, 2-1
2A Conference
1. Eloy Santa Cruz, 3:0
2. Gilbert San Tan Charter, 3-0
3. Tonopah Valley, 3-0
4. Pimas, 1-1
5. Scottsdale Christian, 1-1
6. Willcox, 1:2
7. Phoenix Arizona Lutheran, 1-2
8. Surprise Highland Prep, 3-0
9. Heritage Academy Laveen, 3-0
10. Bisbee, 2-0
1A Conference
1. Winkelman-Hayden, 3-0
2. Baghdad, 2:1
3. Heber Mogollon, 2-1
4. St. David, 3:0
5. Chandler Lincoln Prep, 3-0
6. Salome, 3:0
7. Mohave accelerates, 2-1
8. Williams, 2-1
9. Fort Thomas, 2-1
10. El Capitan, 2-1
Richard Obert has covered high school sports for The Arizona Republic since the 1980s. He also covers Grand Canyon University athletics and the Arizona Rattlers. To suggest human interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
