We've ranked the top 10 players in each of the offensive and defensive positions. It's time for The Arizona Republic to turn its attention to special teams and rank the top 10 kickers and punters in Arizona high school football for 2026.
Top 10 HS kickers/punters
1. Mikey Barth, Chandler Basha, 5-10, 160, Sr.
Has committed to Arizona State. Automatic on PATs. Can convert field goals beyond 50 yards. He is ranked No. 3 among 2027 kickers in the nation by Kohl's.
2. Nolan Balke, Queen Creek Casteel, 6-2, 205, Sr.
This punter has committed to Washington. He's got a booming leg. He also is a kicker and a holder. He is a five-star punter by Chris Sailer.
3. Ryan Zima, Chandler, 6-1, 155, Sr.
He connected on a 41-yard field goal last season. Drives the ball into the end zone consistently.
His leg has gotten stronger since last season.
4. Jack Demmelmaier, Casteel, 6-0, 180, So.
Kohl's has him ranked second in the nation among kickers in the 2029 class. He was among the top kickers at the Western Spring Showcase held by Kohl's in Phoenix.
5. Reid Martinelli, Chandler Arizona College Prep, 5-11, 175, Sr.
He committed to Brown University. Ranked 34th in the nation in the 2027 class by Kohl's. At the Kohl's Western Spring Showcase this year, he had a kickoff of 76 yards with a 3.8-second hang time.
6. Chase Pitzer, Mesa Red Mountain, 5-9, 165, Sr.
He is ranked among the top 50 kickers in the 2027 class by Kohl's. He was first-team all-region and second-team all-state last year. He consistently kicks the ball five yards deep into the end zone. He has field-goal range from 55 yards. He has an offer from Louisiana Tech.
7. Jack Carson, Phoenix Brophy Prep, 6-2, 185, Sr.
He's among three top kickers on Brophy's team. He has a 4.5-star rating by Chris Sailer Kicking. He is also a very good punter.
8. Cameron Candelaria, Phoenix Pinnacle, 6-2, 190, Jr.
He is ranked second among punters in the nation in the 2028 class by Kohl's. Northern Arizona has offered him. He averaged 39 yards a punt and placed 12 inside the 20-yard line last season for the Pioneers.
9. Jeremiah “Chango” Harvey, Peoria Centennial, 5-10, 165, Sr.
He kicked a 52-yard field goal in last year's opener against Chandler. A big season is expected. Poised, big leg, accurate.
10. Yousif Clemens, Surprise Shadow Ridge, 5-10, 165, Sr.
He has field-goal range from 55 yards, and his punting has improved significantly. He is a top 100 punter in the nation in the 2027 class by Kohl's.
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: The Republic's top 10 high school football kickers/punters in 2026
