The Arizona Republic's 10 greatest high school football teams of past 20 years

After Peoria Liberty wiped out just about everybody this season, the Lions jump into the top 10 of the greatest Arizona high school football teams in the past 20 years. There can be arguments on who was left out and who should be ranked higher. But that's what makes lists like these fun. So let the debates begin.

Here are my top 10 greatest teams I've covered since 2003:

1. Phoenix Mountain Pointe, 2013

This was the Pride's only state championship team, one that ran the table with speed and a physicality seldom seen before in Arizona. They began the season in Las Vegas, beating mighty Bishop Gorman 28-21. That set the tone for the remaining 13 wins capped with a 42-19 win over Hamilton in the state final and top-five national ranking. Coach Norris Vaughan, who came from Georgia and won a bunch of games at Wickenburg, established himself among the coaching giants in Arizona. They had 1,000-yard rusher Paul Lucas and wide receiver Jalen Brown, who had his second straight 1,200-yard receiving season.

2. Scottsdale Chaparral, 2010

This was nine years before the Open began, and, after going 14-0 and winning the 5A-II championship, the Firebirds presented a strong argument that it was better than 15-0 5A-I champion Hamilton Huskies. Coached by Charlie Ragle, the second of a three-year run of championships, they played an incredible level of defense, overpowering teams and striking fast on offense with receiver Davonte' Neal and quarterback Connor Brewer.

3. Hamilton, 2009

This team simply overpowered everyone, starting the season with a 73-15 win over St. Mary's and ending it with a 35-0 win over Mesa for the state championship and a 14-0 season. The Huskies, coached by Steve Belles, outscored their opponents 650-171. This was in the midst of one of the greatest dynasties in Arizona high school football history. They went 15-0 the following season and 13-1 with Desert Vista ending their 53-game winning streak in the state championship game in 2011.

4. Saguaro, 2014

This was Christian Kirk's senior year, one of the greatest individual seasons ever turned in by a player in Arizona. This team went 14-0, racking up 717 points and holding teams to a total of 185 points, making a statement they were the best in Arizona that year, period, even though the title came in the third rung of conferences. Kirk moved from receiver to running back and bolted for 1,692 yards and 25 TDs and caught 61 passes for 1,187 yards and 17 TDs. And they had a junior named Byron Murphy, who chipped in with 65 catches for 1,348 yards and 13 TDs. Both start in the NFL now.

5. Liberty, 2023

The Lions land here after putting together one of the greatest seasons ever after capturing their first Open state championship, beating Peoria Centennial, their biggest rival, twice, including 33-21 in the state final. They had a running clock against eight of the 12 Arizona teams they faced. They beat everybody in state by at least two touchdowns and lost their only game to nationally ranked Corona, California, 42-35, after leading by two TDs in the final quarter. Navi Bruzon was magnificent, throwing for 3,113 yards and 30 TDs and running for 862 yards and 20 TDs.

6. Centennial, 2018

This was the year that convinced the AIA needed to create an Open playoff. While Chandler blew out Perry 65-28 in the 6A final, Centennial obliterated Notre Dame Prep 60-7 for the 5A title. That Notre Dame team featured the Gatorade National Player of the Year Jake Smith, who was stopped in that championship game. They went 14-0, then lost a month later to a team from Washington state in a GEICO matchup that felt irrelevant after all the Coyotes had put into the AIA season, rolling up 624 points and allowing 102. One of the most punishing defenses ever.

7. Chandler, 2019

This was the first Open state champion, going 13-0 in their first season under coach Rick Garretson, who picked up where Shaun Aguano left off. Aguano had led Chandler to three straight 6A titles before that. This team was special because it came in the first Open with past 5A and 4A powers, Centennial and Saguaro, involved. Led by Dae Dae Hunter (11.5 yards per carry, 33 rushing TDs) and QB Mikey Keene (2,800 yards, 23 TDs passing), they escaped a scare from Hamilton 42-38 in the final regular-season game, beat Chaparral 56-14 and got past Bijan Robinson and Salpointe 24-16 before holding on to beat Saguaro 42-35 in the Open final.

8. Salpointe Catholic, 2013

This came the same year as Mountain Pointe's monster season at the top level. Salpointe went 14-0 in a conference below Mountain Pointe. Dennis Bene's team dominated Chaparral 46-20 for the Division II title. This 14-0 team, led by two-way star Cameron Denson, held every team it played to single-digit scoring but Liberty and Chaparral in the playoffs. They beat Liberty 45-14 in the quarterfinals and Deer Valley 55-7 in the semifinals.

9. Centennial, 2015

Before there was the Open, there was that one-and-done Division I gauntlet year when only 17 teams became a part of it after so much resistance from schools. Centennial, which had always been in either 5A or 4A, survived the grind; going through Hamilton, Mountain Pointe and Desert Ridge to the championship, led by battering-ram running back/linebacker John Rincon.

10. Chandler, 2014

This state championship team went 13-1, avenging the 45-42 regular-season loss to Mountain Pointe with a 43-23 semifinal win over the Pride. It featured QB Bryce Perkins, RB Chase Lucas and WR N'Keal Harry. They scored more than 40 points 11 times and went over 50 seven times. They beat a good Valor Christian in Colorado, a season after Christian McCaffrey had finished his incredible high school career.

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: The Arizona Republic's 10 greatest HS football teams of past 20 years