Welcome to the annual ArizonaVarsity Pick’Em Contest! Each week we pick 10 games and do our best to pick a winner, with the twist of the perceived favorite getting “points” to make choosing the winner more challenging.

Week 1 Games, 1-5

Centennial (-2.5) vs Chandler

All time record: Chandler leads 5-3

Game notes: Both Chandler and Centennial are premier programs in the state of Arizona, with 10 combined state championships from 2011-2020, but none since. The Coyotes and Wolves start new coaching eras in 2025 with Andrew Taylor and Ty Wisdom. Centennial star pass rusher Luke Franklin faces a stout challenge against Blake Speer and the Wolves’ O-Line.

Salpointe (-6.5) vs Marana

All time record: Salpointe leads, 3-2

Game Notes: Last year, Marana broke Salpointe’s 27-game winning streak against Southern Arizona schools on their way to a 10-0 regular season. Marana QB Colton Meyer and Salpointe QB Matthew Avelar will both be in contention for the best QB in Southern Arizona this year.

Mountain Ridge vs Cactus (-9.5)

All time record: 0-0 (Mountain Ridge forfeited only scheduled contest- 1996)

Game Notes: Brian Belles and Cactus made a run to the 5A championship in 2024, and returns Dontae Sutton in the defensive backfield, who had an interception in the title game, and prolific tackler Jayson Burkhard. Andy Johnson’s Mountain Ridge squad brings back 15 starters, and is counting on QB Luke Baughman to make plays.

Verrado vs Horizon (-3.5)

All time record: N/A

Game Notes: Verrado had a strong 2024 season, but an unexpected coaching switch led to the hiring of Brett Davis and his innovative offensive system. Will Horizon’s Brodie Zamorano keep that Verrado offense off the field by chewing up yards from the running back position?

Notre Dame Prep (-10.5) vs Yuma Catholic

All time record: N/A

Game Notes: Welcome Yuma Catholic to 5A! New head coach Vernon Smith has a defensive line that could help make the transition successful- watch out for Coleton Pouquette and Cesar Fernandez. Notre Dame Prep brings one of the school’s youngest rosters in its history, but boasts talented two-way players like Nate Jones and Gunnar Perry.

Week 1 Games, 6-10

Marcos de Niza vs Flagstaff (-5.5)

All time record: Marcos de Niza leads 3-1

Game Notes: Marcos de Niza returns 8 offensive starters, and head coach Anthony Figueroa has the advantage of a massive impact player on the offensive and defensive line in Nikolasi Tonga’uiha. Flagstaff’s Chase Brown enters 2025 as the most experienced varsity QB in Arizona, with 48 career TD passes.

Coconino vs Snowflake (-13.5)

All time record: Coconino leads 12-11

Game Notes: Gary Cook is on the cusp of leading Coconino to a third straight playoff appearance, and talented defense lead by Ethan Jeffs and Gavin Moran will be the key to making that happen. Snowflake dominated all competition outside of ACP in last year’s 4A playoffs, and is hoping to continue Kay Solomon’s success with Trevor Reddick in the head coach position.

Tempe (-7.5) vs Alhambra

All time record: Tempe leads 4-0

Game Notes: The buzz around Tempe comes from community and coaching investment, and Sean Freeman brings back almost everyone that was a starter/contributor from 2024. Alhambra is coached by Gabriel Garcia, who comes from a Texas high school football background.

Show Low (-3.5) vs Valley Christian

All time record: Series tied, 1-1

Game Notes: Show Low started its season with a shutout win over Florence, where Kash Perkins and Jett Walker combined for 178 yards rushing and 4 TDs. Valley Christian survived multiple turnovers to hold off Sabino 18-14 last week to also reach 1-0.

Chandler Prep (-6.5) vs Trivium Prep

All time record: Trivium Prep leads 2-0

Game Notes: Chandler Prep QB Kody Dodson emerged as a true dual threat in their win over Scottsdale Prep in week 0, throwing for over 300 yards and rushing for over 100. Chandler Prep looks to get their first ever win over a Trivium program that help Cortez to only 105 total yards in their week 0 win.