The Arizona Republic's high school football rankings after Week 3: Open through 1A
The Arizona Republic's high school football rankings were shaken up at the top for the first time this season with Gilbert Highland's 22-21 win at defending Open state champion Chandler Basha. Here are the updated rankings, Super 10 through 1A, through Sept. 3, 2023.
The Super 10 is what the Open field (except only top eight get in) would look like if the state playoffs started now. The Open comprises the top schools from the big conferences: 6A, 5A and 4A.
The Republic's Super 10 (Open)
1. Peoria Liberty Lions, 2-0
They've looked like the No. 1 team from the get-go, but it took a Basha loss for them to officially climb to the top spot. With QB Navi Bruzon dissecting the defenses of Hamilton and Sandra Day O'Connor, maybe only one school (a pretty good team in California called Centennial) can derail these guys this season.
2. Scottsdale Desert Mountain Wolves, 2-0
This is a 5A school looking like one of the best there is in any conference with QB Brady McDonough and his array of weapon making it look easy the first two weeks.
3. Chandler Wolves, 2-0
Led by senior tailback Ca'lil Valentine, the Wolves find their first test of the season Friday when they play host to Southern California powerhouse Orange Lutheran.
4. Scottsdale Saguaro Sabercats, 2-0
Saguaro can think back to that 28-21 loss in the Open state championship last year now they've got Basha coming up on Friday in The Rematch, which is The Republic's High School Football Game of the Week.
5. Gilbert Highland Hawks, 2-0
They crashed this Open party via the dramatic 22-21 win at Basha with all-everything Kody Cullimore scoring the winning TD with nine seconds left.
6. Chandler Basha Bears, 1-1
How the Bears respond from the Highland loss will say a lot about this season with a showdown at Saguaro.
7. Peoria Centennial Coyotes, 2-0
Maybe the best defense in the state? Time will tell, especially later in the season when they have to face Liberty.
8. Chandler Hamilton Huskies, 1-1
After getting boat-raced in the second quarter against Liberty, they reasserted themselves with a rout of Mesa Desert Ridge.
9. Phoenix Mountain Pointe Pride, 2-0
Powerful and punishing, the Pride is letting the rest of the state know in the early going that they're back to elite status.
10. Desert Edge Scorpions, 1-1
That potent offense finally got rolling in the last three quarters of the 42-35 win at Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep, a statement win to show they're going to battle to the end for one of the coveted eight Open spots.
6A Conference
1. Liberty, 2-0
2. Chandler, 2-0
3. Saguaro, 2-0
4. Highland, 2-0
5. Basha, 1-1
6. Centennial, 2-0
7. Hamilton, 1-1
8. Mountain Pointe, 2-0
9. Tucson Salpointe Catholic, 2-0
10. Sandra Day O'Connor, 1-1
5A Conference
1. Desert Mountain, 2-0
2. Desert Edge, 1-1
3. Notre Dame Prep, 1-1
4. Gilbert Higley, 2-0
5. Phoenix Horizon, 2-0
6. Glendale Cactus, 2-0
7. Marana, 1-1
8. Phoenix Sunnyslope, 1-1
9. American Leadership Gilbert North, 2-0
10. Glendale Apollo, 1-1
4A Conference
1. Oro Valley Canyon del Oro, 2-0
2. Phoenix Northwest Christian, 2-0
3. Yuma Catholic, 2-0
4. Chandler Arizona College Prep, 2-0
5. Phoenix Arcadia, 2-0
6. Tucson Mica Mountain, 2-0
7. Peoria, 2-0
8. Bradshaw Mountain, 1-1
9. Snowflake, 0-2
10. Thunderbird, 2-0
3A Conference
1. Tucson Sabino, 3-0
2. Chandler Valley Christian, 3-0
3. Bullhead City Mohave, 3-0
4. Tucson Pusch Ridge, 2-0
5. Show Low, 1-1
6. Morenci, 3-0
7. Surprise Paradise Honors, 2-1
8. American Leadership West Foohills, 2-1
9. Florence, 2-1
10. Thatcher, 1-2
2A Conference
1. Pima, 2-0
2. Scottsdale Christian, 2-1
3. Phoenix Arzona Lutheran, 2-0
4. Scottsdale Prep, 3-0
5. Bisbee, 2-1
6. Globe, 3-0
7. Veritas Prep, 3-0
8. Chandler Prep, 3-0
9. Gilbert San Tan Charter, 2-1
10. Tnnopah Valley, 1-1
1A Conference
1. Winkelman Hayden, 3-0
2. Salome, 3-0
3. Heber Mogollon, 1-1
4. Bagdad, 2-1
5. Williams, 1-1
6. St. David, 2-1
7. El Capitan, 2-0
8. Chandler Lincoln Prep, 3-0
9. Scottsdale Cicero Prep, 2-0
10. Mohave Accelerated, 2-0
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert atrichard.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 HS football rankings through Week 3
