Here are The Arizona Republic's top 20 high school football performers for Sept. 10-12, 2026.
Vote in our poll for the player you think had the best week. The poll will remain open until 6 p.m. MST on Sept. 17. Print readers can find the polls with this story online at azcentral.com/sports/high-schools.
Top 20 HS football performers of the week
1. Nate Olmos, Centennial, DB, Sr.
The hybrid linebacker/defensive back intercepted three passes and recovered a fumble, returning it 21 yards for a touchdown in Centennial's 27-3 win over Mesa Mountain View.
2. Zerek Sidney, Desert Edge, WR, Sr.
He had nine catches for 202 yards and two touchdowns in a 46-7 win over Notre Dame Prep.
3. Blake Roskopf, Desert Edge, QB, Sr.
He completed 18-of-32 passes for 353 yards and five touchdowns with one interception
in the 5A rout of Notre Dame.
4. Roman Otero, Pueblo, QB, Sr.
In a 56-7 win over Douglas, he completed 11 of 17 passes for 350 yards and seven touchdowns.
5. Eason Hopper, Mesquite, DB, Sr.
In a 30-28 comeback win over Maryvale, he returned interceptions of 30 and 80 yards for touchdowns.
6. J.J. Horne, Arizona College Prep, RB, Sr.
In a 28-27 win over Chaparral, he ran for 174 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.
7. D'Mari Bryant, Millennium, RB, Sr.
In a 55-0 win over Agua Fria, he carried the ball nine times for 205 yards and three touchdowns.
8. Gavin Youngker, Deer Valley, QB, Sr.
He passed for 318 yards and four touchdowns without an interception, completing 23 of 30 passes in a 48-18 win over Greenway.
9. Austan Chaves, Deer Valley, WR, Sr.
In the win over Greenway, he caught 14 passes for 197 yards and three TDs.
10. James Klopfenstein, Horizon, WR, Sr.
He played three different positions in Horizon's 35-3 win over Cactus. He ran the ball 13 times for 103 yards and a TD, he caught two passes for 33 yards and he completed 1 of 2 passes for 11 yards.
11. Daryl Little II, Thunderbird, QB, Jr.
Playing just a half in a 42-7 win over Independence, he completed 6 of 7 passes for 93 yards and three TDs, and ran five times for 130 yards and two TDs.
12. Ezra Spivey, Tucson, WR, Jr.
In a 35-31 win over Walden Grove, he caught six passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns. He also had a 20-yard run.
13. Ben Wolfley, Trivium Prep, RB, Sr.
In a 52-0 win over Highland Prep, he carried the ball 10 times for 161 yards and five touchdowns.
14. Anthony Palka, Higley, Athlete, Sr.
In a 43-42 win over Casteel, he ran 14 times for 94 yards and five TDs and caught seven passes for 108 yards.
15. Ian Fullmer, Pinnacle, DE, Sr.
In a 40-7 win over Basha, he had 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for losses and seven total tackles.
16. Keshawn Barkus, Westwood, RB, Sr.
In a 52-0 win over Valley Vista, he ran 12 times for 186 yards and two TDs. He had 235 all-purpose yards.
17. Ryder Noche, Brophy Prep, Athlete, Sr.
In a 49-7 win over Queen Creek, he ran the ball 11 times for 122 yards and a TD. On defense, he had three tackles and two pass breakups.
18. Weston Powell, ALA Gilbert North, S/RB, Sr.
In a 49-14 win over Buena, he ran the ball 10 times for 46 yards and four TDs, and caught three passes for 45 yards and a score. He also had five tackles and three pass breakups.
19. Derrick LeBlanc Jr., Hamilton, DL, Sr.
He had four sacks in a 30-22 win over Perry.
20. Jai Jones, Chandler, WR, Sr.
In a 42-10 win over Salpointe Catholic, he had 11 catches for 218 yards and two TDs, as QB Will Mencl threw for 409 yards and three TDs.
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. Top Arizona high school football players, Sept. 10-12
