The Arizona high school football season kicks off this week for the 6A, 5A and 4A conferences. The Arizona Republic has presented its preseason top 10 for 5A and 4A.
Now, we reveal our preseason top 10 high school football teams for 6A, which is loaded with strong teams. The top teams in this conference will advance to the Open Division playoff bracket at the end of this season.
We've included a poll below where readers can vote for the team they think should be No. 1. Print readers can find the poll online with this story at azcentral.com/sports/high-schools.
Republic's Preseason Top 10 6A teams
1. Basha
The defending Open Division champion is loaded to start the season. With 14 seniors who have already committed to Division I colleges, there doesn't appear to be a weakness. They
have great leadership at quarterback in Jake Rogers, a strong backfield led by Noah Robers, great receivers led by Jaden Baldwin and an offensive line second to none, led by Jake Hildebrand. And that's just the offense. The defense is stacked at every level. They are the favorite to repeat as Open champion, but they will get tested right away with a huge matchup against Chandler on Aug. 29, a rematch of last year's title game that will be televised nationally by ESPN.
2. Hamilton
They enter the season with QB Jax Sculley ready to go after suffering a season-ending injury late last year. They have big-time receivers in the Oliver brothers — Roye III and Roman — a strong run game, and a stacked defense. If Sculley stays healthy, the Huskies have what it takes to get to the Open championship game.
3. Chandler
The Wolves have one of the best quarterbacks in the nation in Will Mencl, an Oregon commit, who has developed even more after a breakout junior season that led them to the Open final. He's got a lot of quick playmakers, led by receiver Jai Jones. And the defense is fast and furious. Look for another long run for a team that has to face both Basha and Hamilton in the regular season.
4. Centennial
Second-year head coach Andrew Taylor says this might be one of the best teams the Coyotes have ever had. That's saying a lot, because he was around for all eight of their state championships as his dad's defensive coordinator. This is a tremendous defense, led by end/outside linebacker Luke Franklin and Elijah Carothers. And the offense should be even better with the addition of tailback Jaylee Abraham, a transfer from Tucson Desert View, where he had more than 30 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore last season.
5. Liberty
Not all the powers belong in the Southeast Valley. Peoria has a couple of big ones in Centennial and Liberty. And the Lions don't want to take a back seat to Centennial in Peoria. This is a big-time rivalry. But Liberty has to do more restocking after graduating key seniors from last year's team, which lost to Basha in a close defensive battle in last year's Open semifinals. Still, this is not a program that ever rebuilds; they just reload.
6. Brophy
Coach Jason Jewell has done a good job keeping this program strong, leading the Broncos to an Open state playoff win last year. He replaces a great quarterback and leader in Case Vanden Bosch and receivers Devin Fitzgerald and Daylen Sharper. But there is no shortage of talent. This could be his strongest offensive line. And the defense will fly to the ball. They'll know more about each other on Thursday, Aug. 27, with a heavyweight matchup against Hamilton.
7. Mesa
The Jackrabbits pushed Centennial to the wire in last year's classic 6A quarterfinal game, a 41-39 thriller that Centennial pulled out at the end. They lost coach Jeremy Hathcock (now at Gilbert Perry), but gained a good coach in Ryan Felker, who had great success at Mesa Community College. With the Anetema brothers — quarterback Kane and wide receiver Kingston — and a strong defense, this team is built for an Open run.
8. Casteel
The defending 6A state champions might be too good the year to fall back out of Open and into the 6A playoff bracket. It seems built for at least an Open quarterfinal run, led by quarterback Tee Smith and the weapons he's got in Troy Jauegui and R.J. Gory. Coach Joe Bushman knows how to get his team to peak at the right time.
9. ALA Queen Creek
After a tough opening stretch last season, the Patriots started 0-4, then gained steam in the second half and reached the 6A semifinals. Quarterback Cody Lalama is ready to emerge as perhaps a breakout player this season. And tight end/defensive end Talan Scott is one of the state's best two-way players and will make a strong statement.
10. Gilbert Higley
The Knights are ready for the big boys of 6A football with maybe the best defensive unit that coach Eddy Zubey has had. Cornerback Nasim Eason anchors the D. And the offense is always going to be explosive. Watch for quarterback Cayden Schlueter to have a big comeback season after missing last year with an injury.
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. Arizona Republic's top 10 6A high school football teams
