High school football rankings: Basha headlines Arizona Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

University of Arizona pledge Demond Williams back after accounting for over 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2022.

By
Aug 3, 2023, 2:30pm
The 2023 high school football season in Arizona kicks off later this month and MaxPreps has your look at the state's top teams. Defending Open Division state champion Basha (Chandler) owns the No. 1 spot in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.

Back as the focal point of the Basha offense will be senior quarterback Demond Williams Jr. The University of Arizona pledge threw for 2,339 yards and 23 touchdowns last fall while running for nearly 800 more and five scores. He has accounted for 8,400 yards and 81 touchdowns through the air and on the ground during his career.

Williams and Basha made history in 2022 by winning the school's first state championship and becoming the first team other than Chandler or Saguaro (Scottsdale) to capture the crown in the state's highest classification since 2015.

In addition to Basha, other defending state champions include Highland (Gilbert) in 6A, Higley (Gilbert) in 5A, American Leadership Academy-Gilbert North (Gilbert) in 4A, Eastmark (Mesa) in 3A, Pima in 2A and Mogollon (Heber) in 1A.

Rankings are computer-generated, factoring in past results and adjustments such as returners and statistical data when available.
Basha quarterback Demond Williams Jr. looks downfield during last season's Open Division state championship game. (Photo: Steven Davis)
Basha quarterback Demond Williams Jr. looks downfield during last season's Open Division state championship game. (Photo: Steven Davis)
Arizona Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

1. Basha (Chandler), 12-1 record in 2022
2. Saguaro (Scottsdale), 9-4
3. Chandler, 9-3
4. Liberty (Peoria), 11-1
5. Hamilton (Chandler), 8-3
6. Centennial (Peoria), 8-3
7. Casteel (Queen Creek), 9-4
8. Salpointe Catholic (Tucson), 7-5
9. Highland (Gilbert), 11-3
10. American Leadership Academy (Queen Creek), 9-2
11. Brophy College Prep (Phoenix), 3-8
12. Desert Edge (Goodyear), 8-4
13. Higley (Gilbert), 12-2
14. Queen Creek, 7-5
15. Red Mountain (Mesa), 8-5
16. American Leadership Academy-Gilbert North (Gilbert), 12-2
17. Desert Mountain (Scottsdale), 10-3
18. Pinnacle (Phoenix), 9-5
19. Eastmark (Mesa), 13-1
20. Notre Dame Prep (Scottsdale), 11-2
21. Thatcher, 13-1
22. Williams Field (Gilbert), 4-7
23. Corona del Sol (Tempe), 8-3
24. O'Connor (Phoenix), 7-4
25. Chaparral (Scottsdale), 3-7

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