The 2026 Arizona high school flag football season begins Sept. 14. Here are The Arizona Republic's preseason top 10 high school flag football teams in the state, regardless of conference.
Vote in our poll for the team you think should be No. 1. Print readers can find the poll online with this story at azcentral.com/sports/high-schools. The poll will close at 3 p.m. on Sept. 18.
The Republic's high school flag football rankings
1. Gilbert Highland
The heavy favorites to win the 6A state championship with a loaded roster led by star junior quarterback Lacie Nemchick, who became the first prep from Arizona to receive a scholarship from a Power Four school with her offer from Nebraska in the offseason.
2. Gilbert Campo Verde
Doesn’t matter that they’re a 5A school — they’re one of the best in the state
regardless of division. Senior quarterback Amaya Moreno is one of the most dynamic players in the state and top basketball recruit Jaiyana Bogan-Jacobs is back for another season at wide receiver and defensive back.
3. Chandler Hamilton
It may seem perplexing to have the team on a 38-game winning streak this low, but the Huskies enter a new era with almost their entire core of last year's title team graduating, along with a few key transfers. Center Athena Vasquez takes over at quarterback and while questions remain, there’s no denying the depth of the wide receiver room. The defense will keep Hamilton in the mix.
4. Mesa Mountain View
The school is on its third coach in four years with defensive coordinator Adam Robbs taking over, but the Toros still remain competitive. Veteran senior signal-caller Tierah Metcalf keeps the team afloat.
5. Marana
While it is almost impossible to replace an athlete like Malaysia Roebuck on both sides of the ball, the Tigers should still be one of the top teams in the state with another crop of promising players coming in. Sophomore quarterback Isabella Garcia is coming off a season with 61 touchdown passes.
6. Glendale Mountain Ridge
There aren’t many better coach-quarterback tandems in the state than this one in Glendale, with Whitney Warmus leading the program and Amiaya Tice slinging it.
7. Peoria Liberty
They were knocked out of the first round last season, but should be more competitive with the arrival of record-breaking quarterback Marlie Phillips, who transferred from Chandler Hamilton. The question is how the team will perform while Phillips has to sit out the first half of the season due to AIA transfer rules.
8. Mesa Red Mountain
It’s a transition year after eight seniors graduated — including key contributors Korey Roberts, Cadence McCanless and Ava Klene — following a four-year run that featured one semifinal appearance and two runner-up finishes. Don’t be surprised if there’s little to no drop-off though, with coach Julian Madison at the helm.
9. Tempe Corona del Sol
This team could make a deep run this season, with three elite defenders in rusher Mariah Ruelas, linebacker Amayah Anderson and safety Sofia Villone, and the arrival of promising sophomore quarterback Victoria Beakes from Chandler Basha.
10. Tucson Salpointe Catholic
This 4A school can play above its weight and will get to test itself against 6A schools this season. Sophomore quarterback and linebacker Isla Collins isn’t just a top player in the state; she’s highly regarded nationally and spent the summer with the United States Under-17 national team.
Also considered: Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Casa Grande, Chandler Basha, Mesa Eastmark, Scottsdale Chaparral, Phoenix Xavier Prep, Prescott, Scottsdale Christian Academy.
Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, college and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at logan.stanley@usatodayco.com or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @RLSscribe.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Vote. Arizona Republic's 2026 preseason HS flag football rankings
