25 games to watch in Arizona high school football in 2022
By Brittany Bowyer
With big schools set to kick off the Arizona high school football season Friday, there’s no shortage of excitement surrounding the upcoming season.
Each week, there’s a handful of exciting games on the schedule, taking place from Thursday to Saturday.
As the level of talent continues to grow across the gridiron in Arizona, let’s take a look at some of the top games to keep an eye on this season, in order of when they take place:
Saguaro vs. Bergen Catholic (NJ) - Sept. 2
Perhaps the most highly anticipated out-of-state matchup on the schedule this year is when football powerhouse Saguaro hosts Bergen Catholic under the sizzling Arizona sunset to start the season. Both teams have created a well-respected pedigree across the nation and are known for producing top-tier talent. While it’s going to be a tall challenge to take on Bergen Catholic, the Sabercats will have the weather on their side, along with the home-field advantage. Not to mention, a 7 p.m. kickoff time means 10 p.m. in New Jersey, so in a way, the Sabercats will have time on their side, too.
Cathedral Catholic (CA) @ Chandler - Sept. 2
The No. 8 Wolves kick off against the Cathedral Catholic Dons in the second of four games taking place at the 2022 Honor Bowl. The Dons will have some game time already this season when the two face off, having played games against No. 2 Mater Dei and No. 9 Centennial (Corona) to prepare. However, nothing is quite as motivating as having a season come to a close the way Chandler's did last fall, which has been the driving force of focus. Although Cathedral Catholic isn’t ranked, their two games against top-10 opponents will provide the perfect opportunity to get everything cleaned up prior to meeting up with Chandler, meaning the Wolves will need to play their cleanest football possible. Expect sparks to fly as this is likely to be one of the most exciting games of the showcase.
ALA Queen Creek @ Verrado - Sept. 2
ALA-Queen Creek was a team nobody anticipated to do quite as well as it did last year. The Patriots dominated their 4A competition before qualifying for the Open Division Finals. This year, the Patriots have moved up to 5A and will face another tough slate of competition, beginning with Verrado right out of the gate. Verrado finished the season 7-4 last year after qualifying for the playoffs and falling short, and they’ll be looking to open up the season with a statement win over ALA Queen Creek. Verrado knows they’ll come ready to play, though, and is aware it will not be an easy task to overcome. This is a game whose results could have serious implications when it comes time for the playoffs.
Canyon View @ Millennium - Sept. 2
In recent years, Millennium was known as the premier school for athletics on the far west side, but Canyon View’s quick ascent to success is bringing the heat. Last year, Canyon View made the playoffs in only its second season as a varsity program. Now, they’re looking to show they’re the real deal when they face off against Millennium. While the two haven’t faced off much, it isn’t too far out there to anticipate the possibility of a rivalry on the gridiron in the future between the two programs.
Basha @ Los Alamitos (CA) - Sept. 3
Basha could very well end up being the Dark Knight who swoops in to steal the postseason this year, with a swath of returning talent and potential. After finishing the 2021 season with a record of 10-1 after being bumped in the Open Division Quarterfinals, Basha is on a mission to prove they’re the real deal. While it will be tough opening up on the road against the Los Alamitos Griffins, who are ranked No. 33 by MaxPreps nationally, it will be one that will solidify they’re here to stay when it comes to running with the big dogs. The Griffins finished last season with a record of 9-2, and like the other California teams, will enter the contest with two games on their schedule already completed.
Hamilton @ Bishop Gorman (NV) - Sept. 9
Last year the Huskies made ESPN’s Top-10 Highlight Reel with their come-from-behind win over Bishop Gorman at home. On national television, current WVU quarterback Nicco Marchiol led the Huskies to an absolutely insane ending and brought a lot of positive attention toward the team. However, things have changed quite a bit in the past year, and Hamilton’s current situation is less than ideal. With all of the outside noise surrounding the program regarding recruiting allegations and being disqualified for the playoffs, things don’t seem to be all sunny for the Huskies. While there’s a fair share of distractions for the Huskies, one has to believe all of the struggles will only motivate them to put their heads down and work harder, as they’ll be forced to make the most of their season in the 10 games they have on the schedule. It won’t be an easy task, though, as they face off against MaxPrep’s No. 6 ranked Bishop Gorman on the road. If the Huskies were to drop this one, it would obviously hurt, but a win could potentially be the biggest win of the season for the team.
Mica Mountain @ Poston Butte - Sept. 15
Mica Mountain’s first varsity season in 2021 saw the Bolts finish with a record of 3-3 as they struggled to fill their schedule following a number of cancellations due to COVID. Going into the second season under powerhouse head coach Pat Nugent, Mica Mountain will bring to the field its first senior class, and they’re hungry to show how much they’ve grown under Nugent. Poston Butte will be coming into the game with a chip on their shoulder after falling to Casa Grande in the 4A State Championships. While they’re going to be without a number of senior starters, they’ll still be looking to set the tone for the rest of the season with a win over the Bolts at home. While it’s not a regional game, it still could have big implications for Mica Mountain if they’re able to pull off the win when it comes time for the playoffs.
Corona del Sol @ Perry - Sept. 16
A lot of eyes are going to be on both programs as they both begin the next chapter under new head coaches. For Perry, the Pumas will be looking to climb their way back to the top under new head coach Joseph Ortiz after two down seasons. Meanwhile for Corona del Sol, they’ll be looking to break into the Open Division playoffs under former Casa Grande head coach Jake Barro. It will be telling to see how far both programs have come so far under their respective coaches, and it’s surely going to be an exciting one as Barro and Ortiz have history coaching against each other in 4A.
Liberty @ Valor Christian (CO) - Sept. 16
While this game is taking place a little further into the season, it’s one you’re certainly going to want to keep tabs on as it’s taking place. Liberty, one of the top football programs in the West Valley, will travel to Colorado to take on Valor Christian in Week 3 of the season. For Liberty, the game is certain to provide its own set of challenges; Although the Lions will have two weeks to prepare, nothing will be the same as running in the high altitudes of Colorado. Valor Christian, which finished the 2021 season with a record of 13-1, will be a great challenge for Liberty and will certainly provide insight as they progress further into their schedule.
Glendale @ Snowflake - Sept. 16
It might seem as if Glendale is the obvious choice to win this game, but don’t count Snowflake out. The Lobos have historically performed well against their opponents in 3A and are one of the top programs in the division, winning the 2021 3A State title. Meanwhile for Glendale, the Cardinals are in the midst of a huge turnaround within the program, making it to the 4A semifinals, where they fell to Poston Butte last season. The 3A Conference might be comprised of smaller schools, but it doesn’t eliminate the level of competition out there, and the Lobos are looking to show just how fierce they are when they take on Glendale early in the season. A win at home for Snowflake would be huge, giving them a bump in their playoff rankings given the new mathematical formula the AIA adopted. For Glendale, a win wouldn’t have as much of a pull on them mathematically as a loss would, but they’ll be looking to prove the success they’ve seen is a result of a culture change within the program and not just sheer luck.
Mesquite @ Cactus - Sept. 16
In recent years, Mesquite and Cactus have turned into quite a pair of cross-town rivals. With Mesquite eliminating a chance at the State Title for Cactus in both 2019 and 2020, there’s become quite a bit of history between the two programs. However, both are under new head coaches, and by Game 3 of the season, we should start to be able to see a little better as to where each team is sitting under their new head coaches and where they’ll have to go from here. Additionally, both schools moved up to the 5A Conference together, and while it isn’t a regional game, it will certainly have implications on where each team lands come playoff time.
Saguaro @ Chandler - Sept. 23
While both Saguaro and Chandler are able to pull quite the crowds on their own, there’s nothing like the atmosphere when the two face off against each other. While Chandler might have had the upper hand more frequently, Saguaro is the most recent to land a painful blow when they defeated the Wolves in the 2021 Open Division Championships. When the two face off again this year, it will be nothing short of sparks flying, as you can expect the two to stand toe-to-toe and duke this one out.
Arizona College Prep @ Mesa - Sept. 23
Arizona College Prep has made huge strides as a program, and with numbers continuing to flourish, there are high expectations for the Knights on the field this year. As only a 4A school, they’re taking on a huge challenge by facing off against the 6A Mesa Jackrabbits early in the season in hopes of gaining both experience and leeway when it comes to the playoffs. For Mesa, there’s not much to gain from a win, but there’s a lot to lose from a loss. If Arizona College Prep is able to handle Mesa appropriately, it will be a huge statement about their program’s continuous upward trajectory.
Canyon del Oro @ Marana - Sept. 23
Canyon del Oro is a team many anticipate making at least the 4A Semifinals this year, and they’ll look to prove just how strong they are up in Oro Valley when they travel to Marana to take on the 5A Tigers. Losing only eight seniors last year, the Dorados are stacked on both sides of the ball, and a win against 5A Marana would be a huge statement in Southern Arizona. Marana isn’t a pushover team, though, and even with an injury to quarterback Elijah Joplin’s orbital bone over the summer, they’re going to be a tough team to beat.
Salpointe Catholic @ Cienega - Sept. 23
Salpointe Catholic and Cienega have a bit of a rivalry on the gridiron, and it’s going to once again be a night of sparks flying when the Lancers travel south to Vail to take on the Bobcats. Last year, Cienega made a fourth-quarter push and nearly came back to upset Salpointe Catholic, but the Lancers were able to prevail. This year, Cienega is looking to avenge the crushing loss to the Lancers when they host them early in the season, and with Salpointe now being in the 5A Conference, the battle just got even more heated. Even if you’re not a Tucson resident, you’re going to want to follow along with both the Cdo @ Marana and the Salpointe @ Cienega games.
Desert Vista @ Mountain Pointe - Sept. 29
This year’s Tukee Bowl is shaping up to be an interesting one. Desert Vista is now under the direction of its second head coach in the past two years, so it’s not clear how the Thunder will look when they take the field this year. Meanwhile for Mountain Pointe, it’s been a slow yet steady climb back to the conversation after going through a rough rebuilding phase. No matter what, the rivalry between Desert Vista and Mountain Pointe has become one of the biggest in the state, which is why it’s being featured under the Thursday Night Lights. Even when teams have a rough year, rivalries always spark a fire that can lead to some fierce competition.
Williams Field @ Centennial - Sept. 30
There’s a bit of bad blood between the Black Hawks and the Coyotes stretching all the way back to the 2016 5A State Championships, when Williams Field defeated Centennial 14-6. Since then, the two have squared off in multiple playoff games, all which deepened the grudge between the programs. Centennial suffered a bit of a down year in 2021, which has left many wondering what to expect from the ‘yotes, but a Richard Taylor-coached team is always going to fight. Meanwhile for Williams Field, Steve Campbell has continued to turn out numerous high-level athletes over the years, and they’ll be looking to pick up a huge win on their path to an Open Division playoff appearance.
Horizon @ Pinnacle - Sept. 30
While Pinnacle has struggled to see the same levels of success in recent years as years past, this rivalry game will be a big one to watch when the Huskies travel up the road to face off against the Pioneers. Horizon, the 2021 5A state champions, will be left without a number of last year’s stars, making this game a lot more interesting from the outside looking in. While many would anticipate Horizon having this game on lock, don’t sleep on Pinnacle.
Brophy @ Liberty - Oct. 14
The battle between the two 6A powerhouses has turned into one that consistently packs the house, and it’s certainly not going to be any different this year. While it might not have Regional implications tied to it, it will certainly have an impact on where each team falls when it comes time for the playoffs. This is a game to keep an eye on, and with many teams having a bye, it wouldn’t be surprising to see many of the other top football talent from around the state showing up to watch the game.
Casteel @ Perry - Oct. 21
This will be a big matchup to watch in the 6A Premier Region. Last year, the Colts made the jump from 5A to 6A, a move that left them struggling to get their feet under them for most of the year. Meanwhile for Perry, it was the second consecutive down year for the Pumas after years of success. Now, Casteel is looking to show its growth on the field, especially among its regional competition, while Perry will be looking to show how head coach Joseph Ortiz and his staff can help restore the Pumas to their former glory.
Sunrise Mountain @ Desert Edge - Oct. 21
Quite literally no big school accomplished more with less in 2021 than Sunrise Mountain. After losing more than two dozen seniors to graduation and a handful of kids deciding not to play after the turbulent 2020 season, the Mustangs still made quite the run to the 5A Playoffs last year. Meanwhile for Desert Edge, a crushing loss to Salpointe Catholic in the 5A semifinals brought an upsetting end to their season just shy of the championships. As two of the top teams in 5A on the west side go to battle in a late-October regional game, this will be one you’ll want to keep tabs on.
Chaparral @ Saguaro - Oct. 28
Not only a longstanding rivalry, the game between Chaparral and Saguaro once again has regional implications on the line for standings in the 6A Northeast Valley. In 2021, Chaparral returned to the 6A State Championships for another faceoff against Highland, who the Firebirds defeated in 2020. However, Highland was able to get the best of them in 2021, sending Chaparral home hurting. Meanwhile for Saguaro, the Sabercats were able to overcome nearly everyone’s expectations in the postseason by claiming the Open Division Championship. When the two meet, sparks always fly, and with the vast amount of talent on both squads, it can wind up being anyone’s night.
Red Mountain @ Mountain View - Mesa - Nov. 10
One of the biggest rivalries in Mesa is between the Mountain Lions and the Toros. For years, the two have competed in what’s come to be coined the “Battle of Brown Road.” In recent years, the rivalry hasn’t been much of a rivalry, as Red Mountain has gotten the upper hand. However, as Mountain View continues to undergo its transformation within the athletics programs, there’s no saying if they’ll be able to pull off a big-time upset to close the season with a huge region win. Either way, this will be a game in 6A you’ll want to watch, as the results will likely have playoff ranking implications on the line this late in the season.
O’Connor @ Mountain Ridge - Nov. 10
One of the more “slept upon” rivalries of the West Side is between Mountain Ridge and Sandra Day O’Connor. The two face off once again as the final game of the season, and major regional implications will likely be on the line. Mountain Ridge saw success in 2021 despite losing a handful of starters due to transferring, finishing with an overall record of 8-4. Meanwhile for O’Connor, their rough season came to an end with a record of 6-5. While it’s still early in terms of what to expect from each team come game time, there will certainly be quite a bit at stake for Mountain Ridge and senior quarterback Brendan Anderson. For him, it’s his final rivalry game and he’ll be looking to lead Mountain Ridge to the playoffs as he goes out on top.
Chaparral @ Highland - Nov. 10
Rounding out the list is yet another game between programs who have recently developed quite a bit of a rivalry on the gridiron. Chaparral and Highland faced off in both the 2020 and 2021 6A State Championships, where Chaparral was able to take home the title in 2020 but Highland got the best of them in 2021. While it’s not a regional game, it’s sure to be one that will bring a ton of action, as there’s a lot of deep emotions connected to the memories of playing each other. Also, given how late the game is taking place in the season, it’s sure to impact playoff rankings and where each team lands going into the postseason, as you can anticipate both making an appearance.
