Friday Night Lights
Lights Up: Arizona High School Football Teams to Watch This Season Friday nights in the Valley are about to get loud. Here’s who’s generating the most buzz heading into the 2026 Arizona high school football season. If you haven’t been to a high school football game in the West Valley recently, you’re missing out on something genuinely special. The atmosphere, the talent level, and the passion in the stands at programs across the area rival anything you’ll find at the small college level. And this year’s Arizona high school football season has the makings of a memorable one. At the top of the state conversation sits Basha. The Bears finished the 2025 season as Arizona’s Open Division state champions, losing just one game all year, and are entering 2026 as the odds-on favorites to repeat. Their offense features a four-star Texas
running back commit in Noah Roberts alongside offensive tackle Jake Hildebrand, who is committed to Arizona State. When a high school team has that combination of size, speed, and recruiting pedigree, they tend to be hard to stop from September through December. Right on their heels is Chandler, who came up just short in last year’s state championship game. The Wolves return one of the most talented offensive skill groups in the state, anchored by four-star wide receiver Jai Jones (committed to Wisconsin) and four-star quarterback Will Mencl, who has pledged to Oregon. That’s a tantalizing combination — a big-school receiver and a mobile quarterback who can make every throw. Chandler has the pieces to make another deep playoff run, and they’ll be motivated by last December’s near miss. In the West Valley specifically, Liberty is a program to keep an eye on. The Lions went 10-2 in 2025 and return key contributors including receiver Braxton Huynh and ground-game workhorse Jayden Sanchez. Liberty plays the kind of physical, well-coached football that travels well in the postseason. The 2026 Arizona high school football season doesn’t officially get underway until late August, but the talent is already there. Find your nearest Friday night game. Bring some cash for the concession stand. It’s worth every bit of it.
August 2026 13
Estrella Publishing - Mountain View magazine
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