Devon Henry
We’re already almost halfway through the season and region play is on everyone’s plate! This week, we keep an eye on a few 4A region battles and a battle between two of the top teams in the state.
Game of the Week: Youngker @ Estrella Foothills
A pair of Buckeye Union High School District schools will go to battle with potential postseason implications and a region title on the line.
In back-to-back seasons, the Estrella Foothills Wolves have opened the season with five straight wins. A victory against sister school Youngker would earn EFHS their second 6-0 start in program history, with the first coming in 2015. The Wolves’ defense has only allowed 20 total points while the offense has scored more than 40 points in four of their five games. The Wolves have been led offensively by senior receiver Shawn Ellison and his 11 touchdowns this year. Senior linebacker DJ Seppanen has been electric defensively for EFHS. He leads the team with 5.6 tackles per game while also totaling four sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and a blocked punt this season.
Great week of camp at California Lutheran University! Back to the west valley to start the season! pic.twitter.com/kBQQJI7gMY
— Estrella Foothills Football (@EFHSWolvesFB) July 24, 2026
Youngker snapped Estrella Foothills’ five-game win streak one year ago with a 42-20 victory. If Youngker can end EFHS’s flawless record again this year, it would be their fourth straight win of the season. After falling to Pueblo in their season opener, the Roughriders have shut out their last three opponents, 137-0. Senior receiver Larry Moore Jr. has done a little bit of everything for YHS, earning a team-leading three TD receptions alongside a punt return TD and a kickoff return TD. Senior defensive end Robert Calvin has been vital for Youngker on both sides of the ball with four rush touchdowns and a pair of sacks this year.
Youngker owns the all-time record in this Buckeye Union District series, 7-6. Estrella Foothills is currently ranked eighth in the 4A Conference while Youngker is ranked 23rd. These district foes currently lead the 4A West Valley Region. The top 24 teams in the 4A Conference make the state tournament, with Region Champions all earning a first-round bye.
What a great day to hit new PR’s in the weight room proud to say I hit 245 for hand clean working everyday to get stronger and stronger 🏆 @CoachHigh45 @YoungkerFB #hardwork #nolimit pic.twitter.com/jdPEjvGUcw
— Robert Calvin (@Robertcalvin99) January 30, 2026
Sandra Day O’Connor @ Centennial
Two of the top teams in the state square off in Peoria with potential implications in the Open Division.
Currently ranked fifth in the state of Arizona, the Centennial Coyotes have left no doubt that they are a contender for the Open Division Championship. Junior receiver Torrin Hill has been phenomenal for the Coyotes in 2026. Hill caught eight passes for two touchdowns and 197 yards against Casteel one week ago. On defense, Centennial has been vicious, already swiping nine interceptions and causing eight fumbles. Luke Franklin and Aidan Torres have combined for 88 total tackles and 18 sacks already this season.
Doubled down. #centennialfootball pic.twitter.com/JNzePcj8p7
— Centennial Coyotes Football (@Cehsfootball) September 5, 2026
Sandra Day O’Connor has been flirting with the Open Division qualifying spots all season long. Through five games, the Eagles have suffered losses to Mesa and Queen Creek by a combined six points. Senior running back Jeremy Adeyanju was expected to lead this SDO offense, tallying 533 yards and seven TDs. But the O’Connor backfield has become a two-headed monster, with sophomore Colton Fahndrich racking up 541 yards and six touchdowns for the SDO offense. Junior linebacker Max Ricart has been terrific defensively for the Eagles with a team-leading 37 total tackles to go along with 2.5 sacks and an INT.
This is just the fifth meeting between these teams and the first time they have played in back-to-back seasons.. Centennial has won all four meetings so far, including last year’s game, 35-7.
#WesrValleyPreps #AZPreps365 Colton Fahndrich off tackle 5 yards for the go ahead touchdown. Moore hits Roose for 2 and it’s 31-28 @oc_football with 6:39 left in the game pic.twitter.com/KVXdKePczq
— Richard Smith (@RsmithYWV) September 12, 2026
Northwest Christian @ Thunderbird
The 4A Conference Skyline Region race is up in the air halfway through the season, with the region champion earning a bye in the first round of the state tournament. All five teams are currently ranked in the top 17 in the conference, as 4-1 Northwest Christian travels to face 4-1 Thunderbird.
The NCS Crusaders’ lone loss came against Prescott by one point. Since then, Northwest Christian has scored 40 and 41 points against Gila Ridge and Moon Valley. Junior quarterback Luke Pearson has been flawless this season, with 13 touchdown passes and zero interceptions while passing for 1,097 yards. Meanwhile, junior RB/CB Deebo Vitale has been a Swiss Army Knife for the Crusaders, racking up 263 rushing yards, 159 receiving yards, two interceptions, and seven total touchdowns.
Can’t wait to get back under those Friday night lights and coached up by @DrewInness pic.twitter.com/lojElmK00q
— Landon Beckman (@landonb_fball) March 1, 2026
Thunderbird’s lone loss also came against Prescott, 36-19. Since then, the Titans have also scored more than 40 points in each of their last three games against Independence, Greenway, and Deer Valley. The THS rushing attack has been lethal this season, with three different players rushing for at least 100 yards in a game. Junior quarterback Daryl Little leads that rushing attack with 692 rushing yards and 11 TDs. Plus, Little has caught four passes while also throwing six touchdowns and no interceptions. Meanwhile, junior cornerback Trey Little has already snatched five interceptions in 2026.
This will be the fourth straight year these teams have faced off, with Thunderbird leading the all-time series 2-1.
On fourth and 1, Titans QB @DarylLittl1323 calls his own number – which is 5 – and outraces the DV defense for a 49-yard TD. Bad snap on PAT.
#17 @TBirdFB 13
#35 @DV_Skyhawks 0
:03 – 1st Quarter
4A Freedom#WestValleyPreps #AzNewsmedia #AzPreps365 pic.twitter.com/hrJvBogV1X— Matt Loeschman (@MattLoeschman) September 26, 2026
Be sure to head out and support your local teams this Friday night. Also, keep an eye on Sports360AZ for all of our high school football content, including the Fiesta Bowl High School Showdown on CW 7, Bleacher Talk, Zone Read, Recruiting Roundup, and more.
Join the conversation on X using #FridayNight360AZ and follow @Sports360AZ to keep up with the action from across the state on Friday nights!
