Arizona High School Football Season Kicks Off

As the sun rises over Phoenix, excitement fills the air as the 2024 high school football season is set to begin in Arizona this week. The state is buzzing with anticipation, especially with the matchups lined up in the On3 Massey Ratings top 25. Highlighting the week is the thrilling clash between No. 3 Centennial and No. 4 Hamilton, promising to kick off the festivities with an explosive start.

The On3 Massey Ratings, which have been providing rankings since 1995, assess teams based on various factors like game results, schedule strength, and margin of victory. Among the notable teams is Liberty, currently ranked No. 15 in the nation. After clinching the state title last season, they are aiming to repeat their success. The Lions, favored to lead again this fall, will start their season against No. 18 Desert Edge on the road.

Chandler, ranked No. 39 nationally, will also kick off their season, facing Cesar Chavez on August 29. They have a challenging road ahead with teams like Mountain Ridge, Highland, and Basha also in their sights. Despite losing several talented players to college programs, the Wolves are determined to make a strong impact.

Centennial, who reached the 2023 Open Division state finals, will face Hamilton first, looking to avenge last season’s loss to Liberty. With a record of 11-2 last year, the Coyotes are expected to put up a fight.

Basha had a commendable 10-2 season last year, but they are also facing changes with a new quarterback starting this year. Their opener against Omaha Millard South will set the tone for the season, along with a challenging road game later against Mission Viejo.

Scottsdale Saguaro, who ended last season with a 6A state title, will open their season on their home turf this Thursday against No. 11 American Leadership Academy. Highland and Pinnacle are also gearing up for exciting matches this week as they look to build on their previous seasons.

The Arizona high school football scene is fully charged, and as teams step onto the field, fans can expect intense action and thrilling games throughout the season. With fierce rivalries and potential upsets ahead, this weekend marks only the beginning of what promises to be a memorable fall in the Grand Canyon State.