Arizona high school football teams with top rankings and toughest schedules

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The Arizona Interscholastic/MaxPreps power rankings have been in place since the two organizations formed a partnership in 2012.
The formula used still has its unknowns to many of the coaches and players it serves despite being spelled out on the website for all to read.
One thing that seems to be clear is the formula loves a tough schedule. Win or lose. Teams with fewer wins but a higher strength of schedule often end up with better positioning when the rankings are published each week.
In the 6A Conference, Mountain View has the second highest average opponent rating, but just a 4-3 record. The Toros are No. 8 while the teams directly below them – Westview (5-2) and Horizon (6-1) – have much lower average opponent ratings.
Desert Vista (3-4) and Pinnacle (3-5) are also among the top 15 with losing records but have high average opponent ratings, while four teams with winning records are currently outside the top 16 and the final playoff spots.
Many coaches prefer to lineup up tough opponents anyway, but now this might be even more reason to fill up those freedom games with contenders.
"I set the season up like that having the hard games in the beginning," Chandler coach Shaun Aguano said. "We had a hiccup against Mountain Pointe and I don't think we prepared well or played well and I take the blame on that.
"Having our bye week now (Oct. 14) in order to get ready for the next two teams is perfect. We're are going to be ready playoff time."
Here is a look at the most difficult schedules heading into the final three weeks of the regular season:

6A
1. Highland (Gilbert) 9.2169
2. Mountain View (Mesa) 8.665
3. Hamilton (Chandler) 7.7898
4. Desert Vista (Phoenix) 7.8286
5. Pinnacle (Phoenix) 7.8093 5A
1. Shadow Ridge (Surprise) 6.7890
2. Chaparral (Scottsdale) 5.4575
3. Sahuaro (Tucson) 4.9348
4. Deer Valley (Glendale) 4.7811
5. Queen Creek 4.7754

4A
1. Saguaro (Scottsdale) 9.9082
2. St. Mary's (Phoenix) 8.6931
3. Marcos de Niza (Tempe) 8.3436
4. Cactus (Glendale) 7.5569
5. Sunrise Mountain (Peoria) 7.2184

3A
1. Payson 5.7155
2. Safford 5.1767
3. Chinle 4.8074
4. Snowflake 4.4952
5. Pusch Ridge Christian Academy (Tucson) 4.0398

2A
1. Thatcher 6.1706
2. Morenci 3.3646
3. Bisbee 3.2025
4. Pima 2.7848
5. Mohave Accelerated (Bullhead City 2.3529

1A
1. St. David 3.5182
2. Salome 3.0922
3. Ray (Kearny) 2.9830
4. Valley Lutheran (Phoenix) 2.9003
5. San Pasqual 2.8272

Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona Republic sports writer and current Prep Sports Director for Times Publications, is a 20-year sports writing veteran. Contact him at jskoda1024@aol.com.