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Cody Cameron’s Preseason Rankings

Arizona Sports News online

By Cody Cameron

The Open 8 

  1. Liberty – The Lions are a machine and deserve to be on the throne until they are beaten. Class of 2026 OLB Hudson Dunn might be the best defensive player in his class and 2025 OL Jace Gardner and Nick Spence anchor another powerful offensive line group that look to dominate once again this season. 
  2. Basha – The Bears have a great mix of experienced and really good young talent on their roster. They are loaded at the skills position, and they are big up front on both sides of the ball. Class of 2025 edge rusher Bleu Dantzler is poised for a monster season. 
  3. Hamilton – The Huskies have a top roster in the state. They have many new players and coaches, but I believe first-year Huskies’ Head Coach Travis Dixon is the man to bring it all together. Class of 2025 QB Rich Lucero is a top player in this state, don’t be surprised to see him on the MVP ballots this year. He’s that talented.

 

 

  1. Chandler – It’s another year where people think the Wolves will be down…I’m here to tell you that they will be just fine. This program is always well-coached, and their players had a tremendous off-season in the weight room and on the track. They will get a few playmakers eligible Week 6 as well. 
  2. Red Mountain – I’m all in on Red Mountain this year. Their defense will be one of the best in 6A and offensively, 2025 QB Simon Lopez and 2025 WR Bode Wagner are one of the best duos in the state. I predict them to win their region thus placing them high in the Open with the amount of power points that they will receive. 
  3. Centennial – They are young defensively but still have a ton of talent on the roster. Their RB room might be the best in the state. 
  4. ALA Queen Creek – A lot of kids are back from last year’s team. They are fast and aggressive on defense, and they are strong and powerful up front. Running backs Brandon Brown and Bobby Nesbitt are very talented.
  5. Highland – Senior QB Kalen Fisher highlights an offensive unit that has a few very good RBs and a couple top TEs in the state. Coach Farrel’s teams get better every single week and I believe they are still a Top team in AZ.

 

6A Top 10 (Open Teams excluded)

  1. Brophy – I know this one is going to get screen-shotted so here’s my disclaimer: Brophy has a Top-3 roster in the state and can 100% make the Open. I just want to see them beat an open caliber team first. The good thing is they will have chances early with non-region games vs Williams Field, Centennial, Perry and Basha. Head Coach Jason Jewell added some great coaches on staff this off-season including one of the best OL coaches in Arizona in Mark Martinez. My early prediction is that Junior tailback Harrison Chambers rushes for over 1,000 yards and 10 Touchdowns this season.  
  2. Pinnacle – Wyatt Horton season!! Easily one of the best competitors in the state and he has many weapons to throw too. 
  1. Williams Field – Offense looks solid with Senior QB Kody Guy back under center. Defensively, Williams Field added one of the best DL coaches in the state in Kelvin Ingram.
  2. Perry – Sophomore QB Kael Snyder showed off his electrifying arm in the scrimmage last week. With an improved defense, should be a fun year for the Pimas. 

 

  1. Queen Creek – The Bulldogs might run the ball 40 times a game this year and I’m here for it. One of my favorite programs in the valley, head coach Travis Schureman has another roster of tough, hard-nosed kids. Senior tailback Lucas George is fully healthy and will be a top RB in 6A this season. 
  2. Mountain Pointe – This might be the best roster head coach Eric Lauer has had since he took over a few years ago. Teams are going to need to double-team Kaleb Jones every down, which is only going to free up junior LB Jaylyn Colter to come unblocked as the enforcer. I’m excited to see how far this Pride team can go this season. 
  3. Casteel – Elijah Beamon is one of the top playmakers in the state and head coach Bobby Newcombe is a phenomenal coach. 
  4. Salpointe Catholic – New coach but same outstanding culture. Salpointe will be 6A playoff team. 
  5. Mountain View – Happy times over at Toro Land currently. Head coach Andy Litten has done an amazing job this off-season and he has tremendous senior leadership.

10. Sandra Day O’Connor – Coach Cole’s Eagles are always tough, physical football teams. No different this year with a powerful offensive line led by Class of 2026 6’5 280-pound Tucker Smith, who will help create many running lanes for Senior tailback Bentley Corbin. 

 

5A Top 10 

  1. Higley – LOADED and can easily make the Open with a 9-1/10-0 record. Senior WR Jaden Taylor is one of my favorite players in the state. He’s as explosive and sure-handed as they come. Will be a fun year for Eddie Zubey and this offense!

 

  1. Desert Edge – Will also have a chance to make the Open with a 9-1/10-0 record. Incredible skill players + a darn good defensive line group. Can’t wait to see what type of year Senior edge rusher Jerry Washington has for this Scorpions’ defense. 
  2. Desert Mountain – Huge fan of Senior LB Lucas Blumling, go Jacks!!
  3. Horizon – Also a huge fan of Jackson Murray, might be the best interior DL in the state. 
  4. Notre Dame Prep – Really good senior class that’s looking to get back to the 5A State title game.
  5. Cactus – So well-coached, the Cobras will once again be a 5A playoff team without a doubt. 
  6. ALA Gilbert – I believe in head coach Ty Detmer and I believe in Senior two-way player Kody Thorley. 
  7. Marana – Dezmen Roebuck season is here!! 
  8. Kellis – Might be a surprise to some but won’t be to the people who have seen this Kellis team in the last few years. Head Coach Ben Kullos has a really special group this year!

10. Campo Verde – Tough, physical and a great group of kids. Always a fan of Coach Freeman’s Coyotes teams. 

 

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