The 2026 Arizona high school football season is already nearly upon us as the summer heat prepares to meet Friday night lights. Best in the West has been checking in on schools across the West Valley as we get one day closer to helmets snapping on and grass being painted.

 

After the program’s 10th state championship game appearance in 2024, the Cactus Cobras’ 2025 postseason came to an early end as the No. 8 seed after falling to eventual 5A Conference State Champion Desert Mountain in the opening round of the postseason. Their 8-3 season was still highlighted by their most regular-season wins since 2021 and another successful season playing “up a conference” in 5A, despite an enrollment of just 1,048 students, the smallest among all public schools in the conference.

“I think we learned a lot last season, and we hope to correct some of those mistakes this year,” Coach Belles said. “We played some of the top teams in the state in Horizon and Desert Mountain last year and had leads going into halftime and let those games slip away from us. We are locked into finishing the job this year in those situations.”

One of the biggest highlights for the Cobras is returning four of their five starting offensive linemen from 2025, who helped the Cobras average 36 points per game. All four returners will enter their junior seasons and be led by First-Team 5A Northwest Region left tackle Errin Brown.

Behind that young yet experienced offensive line will be junior running back Nathaniel Linares, another First-Team All-Region selection who led the team with 705 rushing yards and seven touchdowns while also totaling 255 receiving yards. Alongside him will be a senior “do-it-all guy,” James Angulo, who racked up 260 rushing yards and 190 receiving yards for eight total TDs.

The Cobras return three of their four starting defensive backs from last year but graduated all of their linebackers. Coach Belles will count on Ryan Lavigne to step up on defense after seeing snaps in the second half of 2025, picking up two interceptions that totaled over 100 yards. He is also counting on Centennial transfer Blake Pollard, who is entering his junior year, to bolster the linebacker room.

Also keep an eye on defensive lineman Sione Moala Jr., who earned first-team all-region honors last year with his three sacks, three fumble recoveries, and eight tackles for loss.

The Cobras kick off 2026 at home against 6A Conference program Mountain Ridge on Aug. 28.

 

In Rodger Schenks’ second year as head coach at Copper Canyon, the Aztecs made school history with the program’s first six-win season. Last season also marked the program’s first season over .500 since their inaugural season in 2006. Now, CCHS eyes a new first: earning a spot in the state tournament.

Coach Schenks will look to seniors Joel Pressly, David Camacho, Aiden Potts, Dariel Sanchez, and Tristan Grapes to help lead the Aztecs to a shot at the 4A Conference State Tournament.

“Their commitment extends beyond athletics, as they have served as positive role models for their teammates, classmates, and the community,” Coach Schenks told Best in the West. “Whether through their work ethic, leadership, sportsmanship, or involvement outside of competition, each of these young men represents the values that make high school athletics so meaningful. Their stories are a testament to perseverance, teamwork, and leading by example.”

The 2025 Aztecs were led defensively by a slew of seniors, two of whom accounted for 42 of the team’s 47 sacks on the year. Coach Schenks will look for this year’s senior class to fill those holes from graduation. Potts played a massive role as a safety for CCHS last year, leading the team with five passes defended and a pair of interceptions.

“What excites me most about this season is the dedication and work ethic of our players. We have a group of young men who are committed to improving every day, whether it’s in the weight room, on the practice field, or in the classroom. They understand that success doesn’t happen overnight; it comes from consistent effort, accountability, and putting the team first.”

The Aztecs finished 6-4 last season, winning five of their final six games, yet still resulted in a 37th-place ranking in a massive 58-team 4A Conference that saw its postseason expand to 24 teams in 2025.

“Last season taught our program the importance of consistency and attention to detail,” Coach Schenks said. “We had moments where we showed what we’re capable of, but we also learned that success comes from doing the little things right every day. Our players have embraced the weight room, improved their conditioning, and developed a stronger sense of accountability to one another. All players have helped build a culture where players push each other to improve and understand that everyone has a role in the team’s success.”

The Aztecs begin their season on Aug. 28 with a three-hour road trip to battle Somerton before CCHS’ home opener on Sept. 3 against Sierra Linda.

 

The Mountain Ridge Mountain Lions finished 1-9 in 2025. But the record doesn’t tell the whole story. MRHS faced a brutal 6A Conference schedule with games against Pinnacle, Liberty, Centennial, and Sandra Day O’Connor. But one of the greatest benefits of playing some of the best teams in the state is the experience and lessons that come from those games.

“Last season helped us identify what we needed to improve,” Head Coach Andrew Johnson said. “We played a lot of young players, which gave them valuable game experience. Those reps helped build confidence, resilience, and character, and we believe they’ll pay dividends this season. This offseason has been about building consistency, playing with greater physicality, and paying attention to the details that make a difference on Friday nights. We’re looking forward to seeing this group compete.”

Coach Johnson will see all of his captains play significant roles on both sides of the ball this season. Seniors Cooper Quintin, Nick Motz, Bryson Olney, Taelon Morris, and Lukas Hindle have helped set the standard through work ethic, accountability, and leadership during Coach Johnson’s tenure. They’re also supported by a strong leadership group that includes Max Olson, Mason Weedman, and Luke Webber, who have all played important roles in building the team culture.

Motz looks to build on his strong 2025 season, tallying 49 total tackles and 12 tackles for loss, the second-most on the team. Hindle ranked fourth on the team in tackles as a junior last season.

The Mountain Lions will look to Layne Scarbrough to be their Swiss Army knife in a fierce quarterback room. Scarbrough will contribute at quarterback, tight end, and defensive end, and has been embracing whatever role the team needs. He’ll be competing for snaps at QB with Amar Sutkovic and Colton Benson. Sutkovic had the second-most snaps under center in 2025, completing 17 of his 34 passes, behind senior starter Lukas Baughman.

Coach Johnson is also excited about a handful of sophomores who have earned opportunities through their offseason work. Keep an eye on Ben Rich, Colton Samora, and Isaac Heagy, who are all expected to see significant playing time in 2026. A trio of juniors will lead the way on defense with Deklan Johnson, Maurice Farnstrom, and Brody Lima. All are expected to be key contributors.

Mountain Ridge begins 2026 with a short road trip to 5A Conference program Cactus on Aug. 28 before their home opener against Desert Ridge on Sept. 4.

 

The season is nearly here, so be sure to go out and support your local teams as a new chapter begins in just a few weeks! Join in on the conversation on Twitter using #FridayNight360AZ and follow @Sports360AZ to keep up with the action from across the state this season!





Source link

Post Views: 12