Here are The Arizona Republic's picks for the top 20 high school football performers of Oct. 15-16, 2026. Coaches nominated players.
Vote in our poll below for the player you think had the best week. The poll will remain open until noon on Oct. 23. Print readers can find the poll online with this story at azcentral.com/sports/high-schools.
Top 20 HS football players of the week
1. Micah Newcombe, Dobson, RB, Sr.
In a 62-35 win over Paradise Valley, he ran 39 times for a 5A state record 500 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had 38 receiving yards with a score for a total of eight TDs.
2. Austin Reese, Chandler, FS, Sr.
In the Wolves' 20-16 win over Centennial, he had 20 tackles, four for losses, two sacks and an interception.
3. Gavin Wyler, Benjamin Franklin, QB, Sr.
in 42-7 win over
ALA Ironwood, he completed 24 of 29 passes for 360 yards and four TDs.
4. Myron Lee, Millennium, QB, Jr.
In his team's 58-0 rout of Raymond S. Kellis, he completed 9 of 11 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns.
5. Noah Roberts, Basha, RB, Sr.
In the Bears' 45-21 win over Mesa, he had four touchdowns. The Texas-bound back has scored nine touchdowns in his last three games.
6. Talan Scott, ALA Queen Creek, TE/DE, Sr.
In the Patriots' 35-22 win over Casteel, he had two sacks, three solo tackles and five quarterback hurries.
7. Jamerrius Anthony, Cortez, QB/DB, Sr.
In a 42-20 win over Bourgade Catholic, he ran 27 times for 252 yards and four touchdowns. He added a passing TD. On defense, he had eight tackles and forced a fumble that Cortez recovered in Bourgade's end zone.
8. James Lesueur, Buena, RB, Sr.
In a 48-13 win over Casa Grande, he ran for 181 yards and four touchdowns on 12 carries.
9. Caden Dabney, Buckeye, WR, Sr.
In a 28-17 upset of Bradshaw Mountain, he caught three passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns, including an 82-yarder.
10. Jamarion McClurge, Peoria, RB, Jr.
In a 32-8 win over ALA West Foothills, he ran 21 times for 229 yards and two touchdowns.
11. Daryl Little II, Thunderbird, Jr.
In a 49-21 win over Paradise Honors, he ran 14 times for 113 yards and four touchdowns and passed for 131 yards.
12. Kael Snyder, Perry, QB, Sr.
In a 34-14 win over Westwood, he completed 19 of 21 passes for 156 yards and two TDs.
13. Braxton Huynh, Liberty, WR, Sr.
In a 40-6 win over Boulder Creek, he caught six passes for 161 yards.
14. Brooklen Ortiz, Copper Canyon, QB, Sr.
In a 32-12 win over Washington, he was 11-of-15 passing for 175 yards and two TDs and ran 12 times for 165 yards and two scores.
15. Noah Stewart, Brophy Prep, QB, Jr.
In a 46-30 win over Williams Field, he completed 21 of 26 passes for 253 yards and three TDs with no interceptions.
16. Jeremiah Angulo, Cactus, RB, Sr.
He ran 17 times for 104 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Willow Canyon.
17. Weston Powell, ALA Gilbert North, RB, Sr.
In a 35-16 win over Arizona College Prep, he ran 23 times for 140 yards and two TDs.
18. Cody Curley, Chinle, RB, Jr.
In a 50-6 rout of Window Rock, he ran 17 times for 164 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 11 tackles on defense.
19. Coree Edwards, Seton Catholic, RB, Jr.
In a 25-19 win over River Valley, he ran 23 times for 221 yards and three touchdowns.
20. Jaleel West, Tempe, QB, Sr.
In a 58-35 win over Independence, he completed 18 of 27 passes for 399 yards and six TDs and ran for a score.
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, Oct. 15-16
