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2026 Preps Football Previews
Ironwood's 2026 football captains are, from left, senior offensive lineman Amir Woods, senior safety Gavin Bernal, senior linebacker Demari Frazier, senior linebacker Shayne Newberry and senior offensive/defensive guard Jaxson Jaregui.
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2026 Preps football preview: Ironwood
The 2026 Estrella Foothills football team poses for a photo during camp in July at Cal Lutheran University.
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2026 Preps football preview: Estrella Foothills
Northwest Christian sophomore linebacker Timmy Sands gets help from a teammate to tackle Sahuarita Walden Grove senior running back Robert Cash III during a 4A football first round playoff game Nov. 15, 2024 at Northwest Christian. Sands is now a senior team captain.
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2026 Preps football preview: Northwest Christian
Chandler punter Ryan Zima chases O’Connor running back Jeremy Adeyanju during a Sept. 25, 2025 game in Chandler. (Independent Newsmedia/Jason Brooks)
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2026 Preps football preview: O'Connor
Cactus Shadows senior defensive back Aidan Chambers tries to pull down Desert Edge sophomore running back Byron Bradon with Falcons junior Casen Stieg (#13) in pursuit Aug. 28 in Goodyear.
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2026 Preps football preview: Desert Edge
Peoria junior receiver Dontay Tyson Jr., catches a 39-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Dominic Kramer i the first quarter of a Sept. 19, 2025 home game against Cactus.
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2026 Preps football preview: Peoria High
Canyon View junior defensive back Keegan McCarthy tips away Desert Mountain junior quarterback Grant Garduno’s deep pass for sophomore Kai Tschen during the second half of the 5A state title game Dec. 5, 2025 in Tempe. McCarthy is back for his senior year.
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2026 Preps football preview: Canyon View
Shadow Ridge senior linebacker Jayden Dean holds a football during the Dysart Unified School District media day Aug. 14 in Surprise.
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2026 Preps football preview: Shadow Ridge
Cactus junior linebacker Sione Moala Jr. sacks Mountain Ridge junior quarterback Amar Sutkovic during their Aug. 29, 2025 game in Glendale.
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2026 Preps football preview: Cactus
Valley Vista senior Zade Brown poses for a photo during the Dysart Unified School District football redia day AUg. 14 in Surprise.
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2026 Preps football preview: Valley Vista
Kellis senior offensive guard Allen Monzon Flores, left, received a scholarship offer from OUAZ in May.
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2026 Preps football preview: Kellis
A Brophy receiver moves the ball during the 2025 season. (Patty Kennedy)
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2026 Preps football preview: Brophy College Prep
Junior receiver Tobi Alade looks in a touchdown pass for Willow Canyon during a Sept. 26, 2025 home game against Tolleson. Alade is back this season.
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2026 Preps football preview: Willow Canyon
Desert Mountain takes the field for the 2025 5A State Championship game against Canyon View. (Courtesy Photo/Desert Mountain Football Team Website)
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2026 Preps football preview: Desert Mountain
Mountain Ridge junior linebacker Nick Motz lines up on the perimeter of the defense during an Aug. 29, 2025 home game against Cactus. Motz is a captain this season.
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2026 Preps football preview: Mountain Ridge

2026 Preps football preview: Paradise Honors

Paradise Honors junior Chuck Van Dyke smiles after being named the Epic Sports TV player of the game in an Oct. 16, 2025 win over Thunderbird. Van Dyke was the state

Months after a playoff bid in its 4A debut season, Paradise Honors prepared for 2026 by going away from its strengths. The Panthers have an accomplished core of 10 or so returning starters. …

2026 Preps football preview: Centennial

Centennial quarterback Titus Hill (14) returns for his junior season with a full year of experience as a starter. (Christine Andert/For West Valley Preps)

After climbing to the 6A football mountaintop in 2024 then falling just short of a repeat last season, the Centennial Coyotes are making no secret about their aspirations for 2026.

2026 Preps football preview: Chaparral

Chaparral takes the field for a home football game in 2025. (Submitted Photo/Chloe Caplan - Chaparral Yearbook)

SCOTTSDALE — After fielding a young but competitive team in 2025, the Chaparral Firebirds are anticipating an electric year on the field this season. According to Coach Trace Carroll, this …

2026 Preps football preview: Horizon

Horizon running backs go through a drill during summer practice. (Independent Newsmedia/Brittany Bowyer)

SCOTTSDALE — The Horizon Huskies have solidified themselves as one of the premiere programs in Scottsdale with a longstanding history of success.