With 14 seniors committed to Division I colleges for football, the Basha High School football team is loaded at every position.
From the quarterback to the kicker, the Bears have elite players. Now, with the 2026 season beginning on Saturday night, Aug. 29, at 7:30, in front of ESPN cameras, the nation will find out how good these guys are.
Could it be the best high school football team Arizona has ever seen?
They'll have to go 13-0 and win a second straight Open Division state title to be in that conversation. And Chandler isn't a gimme opponent on Saturday night at Basha. The Wolves are ranked No. 20 in the nation by USA TODAY. Basha is ranked No. 11 nationally. Basha is No. 1 inThe Arizona Republic's preseason 6A rankings, Chandler No. 3.
There
have been some great teams in recent years. Phoenix Mountain Pointe's 14-0, 2013 state championship team ended up among the top five in the nation and is widely regarded as the best in Arizona prep football history. But this Basha team could add to the debate.
"That's for you guys to decide," coach Chris McDonald said about this potentially going down as the greatest high school football team in state history. "We don't talk about that. We just want to go out and work hard. I think these kids want to make a legacy for themselves. Whatever ranking is assigned to them, that's what it is.''
McDonald says this senior group is mature and handles its business the right way, which makes his job easier.
The seniors are led by left tackle Jake Hildebrand, running back Noah Roberts, wide receiver Jaden Baldwin and defensive tackle Anitoni Tahi. Hildebrand, Roberts and Tahi all started varsity as a freshman, a year after Basha captured its first Open state title.
Last year, quarterback Jake Rogers came on strong in the playoffs and had a big game in the state championship win over Chandler with starter Brodie Vehrs unable to play due to an injury. Basha won that game, 34-7 with Rogers outdueling Wolves quarterback Will Mencl. Rogers was 21 of 27 passing for 304 yards and he ran for 37 yards and a touchdown.
His rapid development showed during June in 7-on-7 passing tournaments. But Rogers isn't resting on last year's accomplishments.
"Really, just put last year in the past," Rogers said about the Chandler rematch to open the season. "They're a new team. We're a new team. It's a different year. We're really just flushing out last year and it's a totally different game."
Rogers (Princeton) is among the 14 seniors committed to Division I schools for football. The others are Roberts (Texas), Hildebrand (Arizona State), Baldwin (Pittsburgh), Tahi (Kansas), right tackle Dajohn Yarborough (California), edge rusher T.K. Cunningham (Purdue), edge Caleb Jordan (Nevada), defensive back Tre Kennard (Nevada), linebacker Marc Duerson III (Northern Arizona), defensive back Taylan Patterson (Utah), kicker Mikey Barth (ASU), linebacker Kyser Wilson (NAU) and linebacker/tight end Barry Adams (Cornell).
There could be more seniors signing with four-year colleges in December.
"It means a lot to the kids, obviously," McDonald said. "It means a lot to us, because we know that they have an opportunity to continue to play and add another chapter for football.
"In terms of the team aspect, win-loss record, they still got to go out and prepare. They know that. They've done a great job. A lot of maturity."
Win or lose on Saturday, this game doesn't break the Bears. But it is national television, and Basha is well aware the nation's eyes will be on the team.
"Obviously, being on national TV, there's going to be first-game jitters, there's going to be first-game mistakes," McDonald said. "As a coach, you just hope you prepared the right way and mistakes are limited and we don't shoot ourselves in the foot."
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: With ESPN on hand, Basha can show it belongs among greatest HS teams
