Here is a guide to The Republic's Top 10 Arizona high school football games of the week (Aug. 27-29). This is the first week of play for the 6A, 5A and 4A conferences, and the second week for 3A, 2A and 1A. The Republic ranks them in order of interest.
Vote in our poll below for the game you think is the top matchup from our list. The poll remains open until 7 p.m. Aug. 27, when the first games kick off. Print readers can find the poll online with this story at azcentral.com/sports/high-schools.
Top 10 Week 2 games
1. Chandler at Chandler Basha, Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m.
This game was moved to a Saturday for ESPN national television coverage. It's a battle between two top-25 nationally ranked teams (MaxPreps) and a rematch of last year's Open Division state final, which
Basha won 34-7 behind QB Jake Rogers, who is back. Chandler's Ty Wisdom and Basha's Chris McDonald are two of the state's best coaches. Should be a masterclass chess match. The Republic has Basha ranked No. 1 and Chandler No. 3 in its 6A preseason rankings.
2. Chandler Hamilton vs. Phoenix Brophy Prep, at Central, Aug. 27, 7 p.m.
This is a massive Thursday night game between two top-10 6A teams. Hamilton's only loss last year was to Chandler in the Open semifinals. The Huskies return star quarterback Jaxson Sculley and wide receiver Roye Oliver III.
3. Peoria Liberty at Mesa, Aug. 28, 7 p.m.
This is the top Friday night game, featuring a loaded Mesa team ranked in the top 10 by The Republic entering the season, facing a team used to long Open Division playoff runs. Mesa can make a big-time statement in coach Ryan Felker's first game leading the Jackrabbits.
4. Peoria Centennial at ALA Queen Creek, Aug. 27, 7 p.m.
ALA Queen Creek once again faces a tough schedule and a huge challenge opening against a Centennial team, led by quarterback Titus Hill, that appears to have no weakness.
5. Mesa Red Mountain at Queen Creek Casteel, Aug. 27, 7 p.m.
Red Mountain's stingy defense has its work cut out trying to contain a potent Casteel offense, led by QB Tee Smith in this 6A showdown.
6. Tucson Salpointe Catholic at Marana, Aug. 27, 7 p.m.
This will be an emotional opener for Marana, which should have star wide receiver Sean Roebuck Jr., on the sideline, serving as huge motivation. He suffered serious injuries in a car accident earlier this month.
7. Goodyear Desert Edge at Cave Creek Cactus Shadows, Aug. 27, 7 p.m.
Yet another great Thursday night game, this one a matchup of top-10 5A teams. Desert Edge is the preseason No.1 by The Republic in 5A with quarterback Blake Roskopf back. He's got lots of playmakers around him. Cactus Shadows has one of the strongest linebacker corps in the state.
8. Prescott Valley Bradshaw Mountain at Phoenix Arcadia, Aug. 28, 7 p.m.
This is a 4A matchup between top-10 teams in that conference. Arcadia reached the 4A final last year and will lean heavily on its defense, while the offense catches up, to get back there. Bradshaw Mountain is expected to come out on top in the Grand Canyon Region.
9. Gilbert Williams Field at Gilbert Campo Verde, Aug. 28, 7 p.m.
Both of these 6A teams have something to prove. Williams Field has a reloaded offensive line. Campo Verde features one of the state's top dual-threat quarterbacks in Jonah Lubno, a Utah commit.
10. Phoenix Christian (1-0) at Benson (1-0), Aug. 28, 7 p.m.
Maybe the best 2A game of the weekend. Both won their openers last week, with Benson topping Bisbee 49-0 and Phoenix Christian getting past tough Tucson Tanque Verde, 34-28.
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Vote. Republic's top Arizona high school football games, Aug. 27-29
