Arizona high school football: Top teams, games, players and prospects ahead of 2020 season

Summer is officially over, but some states are just beginning their high school football season. Arizona is among those with teams taking the field as early as Thursday. As things stand, the postseason is set to begin Nov. 27 with championship games still to be determined.

Arizona is one of 34 states planning to play football this fall. Sixteen others plus the District of Columbia have moved their respective seasons to 2021.

In Arizona, a total of 218 games are set to kick off Thursday through Saturday.

In advance of season openers, here's a look at what you need to know about Arizona football in 2020.

Top games

Queen Creek at Casteel (Queen Creek), Oct. 16
Hamilton (Chandler) at Saguaro (Scottsdale), Oct. 23
Casteel (Queen Creek) at Desert Ridge (Mesa), Nov. 13
Hamilton (Chandler) at Chandler, Nov. 20
Queen Creek at Desert Ridge (Mesa), Nov. 20

Top teams

1. Chandler
2. Saguaro (Scottsdale)
3. Queen Creek
4. Salpointe Catholic (Tucson)
5. Hamilton (Chandler)

Defending champions

Open: Chandler
6A: Liberty (Peoria)
5A: Williams Field (Gilbert)
4A: Mesquite (Gilbert)
3A: American Leadership Academy (Queen Creek)
2A: Round Valley (Eagar)
1A: Williams
CAA I: Madison Highland Prep (Phoenix)
CAA II: Heritage Academy (Mesa)
CAA Open: San Tan Charter (Gilbert)

Top recruits
Based on 247 Sports individual rankings

1. Ty Thompson, QB, Mesquite (Gilbert), (40)
2. Bram Walden, T, Saguaro (Scottsdale), (90)
3. Quintin Somerville, DE, Saguaro (Scottsdale), (151)
4. Denzel Burke, Ath., Saguaro (Scottsdale), (176)
5. Jonah Miller, G, Sahuaro (Tucson), (274)

Returning stat leaders

Passing
Ty Thompson, Mesquite (Gilbert) | 250-424 (59%), 4,074 yds., 45 TD
Adryan Lara, Desert Edge (Goodyear) | 231-359 (64%), 4,016 yds., 41 TD

Rushing
Davin Parker, Alchesay (Whiteriver) | 204 car., 2,030 yds., 26 TD
Hunter Ogle, Santa Cruz Valley (Eloy) | 240 car., 1,844 yds., 23 TD

Receiving
Gabe Escobedo, Miami | 68 rec., 1,627 yds., 17 TD
Myles Taylor, Williams Field (Gilbert) | 60 rec., 1,342 yds., 16 TD