Here are the top performers from high school football games played on Oct. 22 and 23, 2026. Coaches nominated players.
Vote in our poll below for the player from our list who had the best week. The poll will remain open until noon on Friday, Oct. 30. Print readers can find the poll online with this story at azcentral.com/sports/high-schools.
Top 20 HS football performances of the week
1. Kody Dodson, Chandler Prep, QB, Sr.
In a 54-13 2A win over Pima, he completed 16 of 21 passes for 360 yards and six TDs and ran for 63 yards and two more scores.
2. Julius Gonzalez, Mingus, WR/DB/KR, Sr.
In a 34-7 win over Flagstaff, Mingus' first home win in three years, he had five solo tackles, three pass breakups, two interceptions, one returned 90 yards for a touchdown. He also had two catches for 89
yards, including a 67-yard score. And he returned a punt 53 yards. He had 234 total yards.
3. Javion Carter, Verrado, DB, Jr.
In a 67-28 win over Tolleson, he intercepted four passes, returning one for a touchdown.
4. Bernard Butler, South Mountain, DB/WR, Jr.
In a win over Trevor Browne, he caught five for 77 yards and a touchdown and intercepted two passes for 154 yards in returns, including a 108-yard touchdown return. He also had two tackles for losses. And returned six punts for 172 yards.
5. Luke Cardis, San Tan Charter, QB, Jr.
In a 2A win over St. Johns, he completed 15 of 17 passes for 436 yards and five TDs.
6. Isaiah Neloms, San Tan Charter, WR, Jr.
In the St. Johns game, he caught nine passes for 301 yards and three scores.
7. Hajj Brown, Desert Edge, WR, Jr.
In a 56-0 rout of Tolleson, he caught five passes for 134 yards an four touchdowns.
8. Maximus Harder, Ironwood Ridge, QB, Jr.
In a 40-34 win over Tucson, he completed 15 of 20 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. He ran the ball 23 times for 215 yards and three scores.
9. Gavin Gleave, Westwood, QB, Jr.
In a 36-29 loss to Mesa, he accounted for 448 yards of offense, including 300 passing and a TD. He ran for 148 yards and a score.
10. Gavin Wyler, Benjamin Franklin, QB, Sr.
In a 41-21 3A win over Crismon, he completed 24 of 29 passes for 368 yards and six TDs and threw his first interception of the season.
11. Conner Main, Northwest Christian, QB/DB, Sr.
Filling in for the injured starting quarterback, he passed for 186 yards and two TDs. He also ran for 52 yards and three scores and had 13 tackles on defense in a 35-32 win over Peoria.
12. Cole Douglas, Cactus, WR, Sr.
In a 67-6 rout of West Point, he caught two passes for 106 yards and two TDs, returned a punt 34 yards for a score and returned a kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown.
13. Marcus Escobedo Jr., Maryvale, QB, Fr.
In a win over Carl Hayden, he passed for 275 yards and five TDs, completing 11-of-17 passes.
14. Brayden Barrows, Veritas Prep, DB, Sr.
In a 45-14 win over Highland Prep West, he intercepted three passes, giving him seven on the season.
15. Kevon Wright, Heritage Academy Mesa, DE, Sr.
In a win over Fountain Hills, he had four sacks, six tackles for losses, eight total tackles and a quarterback hurry. He has 11.5 sacks in six games.
16. Jayden Sanchez, Liberty, RB, Sr.
In a 38-7 win over Hamilton, he ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.
17. Coy Bodily, Mesa Mountain View, RB
In a win over Casteel, he ran 25 times for 129 yards and three touchdowns.
18. Braylon Lopez, Sandra Day O'Connor, DB, Jr.
In a win over Boulder Creek, he intercepted two passes, returning one 78 yards for a score.
19. Asher Howard, Queen Creek, LB, So.
In a 10-3 win over Corona del Sol, he had 14 tackles, two for losses, a sack and two QB hurries.
20. Billy Lewis, St. Mary's, DB, Sr.
In a 42-28 win over Paradise Honors, he had two interceptions, giving him nine on the season in just six games. He is one interception away from tying Sam Salts' school record for most in a season.
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 20 Arizona high school football performers, Oct. 22-23
