Top-ranked Chandler hopes to add to its 26-game win streak; No. 2 Saguaro features three of state's top-ranked senior players.
With at least four returning FBS prospects,
Chandler remains the top team as the 2020 high school football season gets underway Friday in Arizona. The Wolves, the two-time defending state champions, ride a 26-game win streak heading into the season.
Among the top prospects is 5-foot-11, 175-pound quarterback
Mikey Keene, who last year threw for 2,835 yards and 23 touchdowns against five interceptions. He also gets to throw to two college-bound wide receivers in 6-foot-190-pound
Eli Sanders and 6-foot, 175-pound
Jalen Richmond (41 catches, 725 yards, 9 touchdowns).
On defense, 6-1, 235-pound outside linebacker
Brandon Buckner leads the charge. He had 53 tackles, 24 of them going for losses including 16 sacks last season.
With all that talent back and a history of winning, the Wolves were the obvious team to start the season at No. 1 in the Arizona MaxPreps Top 25 preseason rankings.
The top 10 teams to start were all among the top 15 to end 2019, including No. 2
Saguaro (Scottsdale) which finished last season at No. 3.
The Sabercats have won eight state titles since 2010 but last year lost to Chandler (42-35) in the inaugural Open Division title game.
They return five of the Top 20 2021 recruits in the state — according to 247Sports — including three of the top four.
The No. 1 recruit is 6-4, 270-pound offensive tackle
Bram Walden, an Oregon commit, while defensive end
Quintin Somerville (6-1, 230) and wide receiver
Denzel Burke (6-0, 185) rank No. 3 and 4, respectively. Burke is headed to Ohio State.
Arizona high school football rankings1.
Chandler, 13-0
2.
Saguaro (Scottsdale), 11-2
3.
Queen Creek, 9-4
4.
Salpointe Catholic (Tucson), 10-1
5.
Hamilton (Chandler), 9-3
6.
Casteel (Queen Creek), 9-4
7.
Desert Ridge (Mesa), 7-5
8.
Highland (Gilbert), 8-4
9.
Chaparral (Scottsdale), 8-3
10.
Higley (Gilbert), 8-4
11.
Pinnacle (Phoenix), 8-3
12.
Desert Edge (Goodyear), 10-4
13.
Centennial (Peoria), 9-2
14.
Williams Field (Gilbert), 12-2
15.
Liberty (Peoria), 10-4
16.
Boulder Creek (Anthem), 4-7
17.
Red Mountain (Mesa), 12-2
18.
Campo Verde (Gilbert), 10-4
19.
Mesquite (Gilbert), 11-3
20.
Horizon (Scottsdale), 9-2
21.
American Leadership Academy (Queen Creek), 13-1
22.
Corona del Sol (Tempe), 4-7
23.
Sahuaro (Tucson), 9-3
24.
Phoenix Christian (Phoenix), 12-2
25.
Round Valley (Eagar), 11-2
Chandler and Saguaro met in last season's Open Division championship game and are favored to meet again for that title in 2020.
File photo by Mark Jones
