What are your thoughts on the current cluster of cases at San Tan Foothills? Gilbert Christian pulled out of a game. Also should parents not report positive results so there son's HS teams can play? Just curious on opinions on whether you may or may not avoid certain schools if you're hearing there may be positive tests and information may or may not be accurate.

I'd be disappointed if someone new of a positive case but didn't report it. That's just my thought and opinion.

This is a big one!! It's the rematch of last year's 6A title game where the #7 Liberty Lions upset #1 Red Mountain 34-28 in OT. Both teams return star players, especially in the secondary but BOTH schools graduated a ton of starters. Here's five matchups to watch out for in tonight's game!

1. Liberty Senior QB Brock Mast vs RM Senior QB Evan Svoboda - Neither QB was the starter last Fall and both had under 50 pass attempts for the total year last season. Mast completed 12 of his 21 pass attempts for 126 yards and a TD in Liberty's loss to Chandler last week. Svoboda went 9-11 for 140 and a TD in RM's win over Westwood last Friday. Mast faces a much less experienced defense this week in Red Mountain and Svoboda faces a much MORE experienced defense in Liberty. I think it's a great test for both QBs, especially for Svoboda. All signs point to him getting the full game as QB1 tonight for the RM offense. Excited to see both in action tonight.

2. Liberty Soph. RB Zaccheus Cooper vs RM Junior Parker McClure - Don't look into Cooper's stats too much from last week, that Chandler D-Line might be an all-time great. I think Cooper is a FOR SURE Division talent at RB. Great combination of speed and power. Parker McClure is one of the top run stoppers in the 2022 class. He had an awesome Sophomore campaign last year. He'll square off against many great Res this year and Cooper is one of them. Excited to see who wins this battle!!

3. Red Mountain DB George Ramirez vs The World - There's not much Red Mountain Senior George Ramirez can't do. He's one of the best tacklers in the state, he can cover, he's a playmaker on offense, and he blocked a million punts last year. Liberty NEEDS to make sure they know where Ramirez is on the field at all times during this game.

4. Liberty DBs Jax Stam + Shane Pitts vs RM WRs = Stam and Pitts are very very good. The duo combined for 25 total tackles last week against Chandler. Both are returners and both bring the lumber when they come up to hit. They move around a ton in the secondary, disguising and radiating their looks on almost every single snap. If they can contain the RM WR's from getting explosive plays AND if they can create turnovers (possibly with an ESPN Top 10 Hit dislodging the football from the ball carrier) Liberty will win this game.

5. RM OLB/DE Skylar Edmonds vs Liberty's Offensive Tackles = Edmonds had a fantastic game last week against Westwood, finishing with 9 total tackles 3 TFLs 2 sacks and an interception. If Edmonds can make that type of impact in this contest, Red Mountain will be in a great position to win this football game. Let me know you're thoughts!

Predict the 8 teams you believe will make the Open Division Playoff. I'll post the submissions in article form at noon on 10/6.

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Where's everyone going this week?

As for me, I'm heading down to Ahwatukee to see which team gets up off the canvas between Centennial and Mountain Pointe. The Coyotes can't really be as bad as they were against Hamilton, can they?

Fill in your ballot in the replies, you are not required to submit a ballot for every division. Submit your ballot by 10/6 at 12pm to be included in this week's preseason rankings.

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My pick: Corona del Sol

Aztecs were impressive in their win over Desert Vista. They have the veteran leadership they lacked last season with Quade Swearingen at quarterback. Most importantly, Corona has a favorable schedule. Aztecs could end up 7-1 or 8-0.

Does anyone have a nominee for surprise teams or dark horses you like this year?

I have put it on record that I think Cibola is a potential playoff team even after ending last year ranked #22. Six game regular season as of current schedule, two each against other area teams that they handled pretty well in 2019. Could easily be 6-0.

5 Matchups to Watch

5. Casteel SS Connor Clinton vs Boulder Creek TE John Ferlmann
Clinton had a great Sophomore campaign last Fall and he's packed on 15-20 pounds this off-season. He'll play in the box and force on run plays, but he'll also line-up against Ferlmann in coverage. Ferlmann's family moved here from CA this off-season. He's committed to ASU for long-snapping but he's also a pretty good receiving TE. 6'4 225 and can move!!

4. Casteel OLB Kyle Pointer vs Boulder Creek RB Jacob Cisneros
Pointer had awesome Junior film. Sets the edge really well, great form tackler. Cisneros was our Breakout player of the year last year in 6A. Over 2500 all-purpose yards against solid competition. He's the real deal.

3. Casteel OG Brock Dieu vs Boulder Creek OL/DL Jacob Moore
Dieu has been one of the best OL in the entire state over the last couple seasons. Jacob Moore was the 2019 Heavy weight champion wrestler for large schools this past Winter and he's a helluva football player. Both are pancaking machines on offense.

2. Casteel WR Isaiah Newcombe vs Boulder Creek's secondary
Newcombe committed to UCLA this past off-season. True gas burner, takes the top off of secondaries. He's Dane's #1 guy in the passing offense and Boulder Creek NEEDS to contain him to have a chance to win this football game. Boulder Creek's Safety Dominic Wright is a 3-year starter. His job tonight: Stay back and keep everything in front of you

1. Casteel Class of 2021 QB Dane Christiensen vs Boulder Creek's Class of 2021 QB and University of New Mexico commit Bear Milacek
Christensen absolutely lit up 5A competition, throwing for over 3100 yards and 30 TDs. His counterpart, Bear Milacek, I believe is a Top 4-5 QB in this state. I am stoked to watch these two go head-to-head, both are incredible talents. Let the Big Plays begin!!

Fill in your ballot in the replies, you are not required to submit a ballot for every division. Submit your ballot by 10/1 at 12pm to be included in this week's preseason rankings.

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Might be a bit early for this, but I'm too excited for the season to begin. Ton of great match-ups Week 1, where will you better headed on Oct. 2nd??

Link: https://arizonavarsity.rivals.com/news/a-new-era-for-arizonavarsity-com-

It's a good day, friends!

Podcast:

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Predict the 8 teams you believe will make the Open Division Playoff. I'll post the submissions in article form at noon on 10/1.

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Our guy Lee Patterson (@Radioguyaz99) has debuted his new show as part of the ArizonaVarsity platform. I'll post all of his shows in this thread!

Episode 1 Link: Arizona Cardinals PA Announcer Jim Barnett

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I am starting a Q&A series with 14 HS coaches..

Hopefully all will participate

I asked
6A
Basha (Grothaus)
Desert Vista (Crump)
Mountain Pointe (Price)
Sunnyslope (Portela)

5A
Gilbert (Caserio)
Ironwood (Augustine)
Millennium (Amundsen)
Catalina Foothills (D'Amore)
Verrado (Marks)*****

4A
Salpointe Catholic (Reynolds)

3A
Valley Christian (Haagsma)

2A
Rancho Solano Prep (Trigg)
Trivium Prep (Nelson)

CAA
Tri-City Christian (Brown)

What was YOUR high school like? Collectively we cover a lot of different schools but what was yours like when you were a teenager? I'd love to know the name of your HS, where it was, appx graduating class size? Were the sports successful...or not? Any cool tidbits (about the school, not sports teams)? Team name? Also what Arizona high school would you say was most similar to yours when you were going there?
For those who went to HS here and there are a few, how has your school changed since your graduated?

Some rumblings after the scrimmages..

PJ London at Blue Ridge is a legit QB. Thatcher has some things to tidy up
Snowflake pushed around Safford. Expect more of the same from the Lobos. Safford still learning Omeras scheme.
Don't sleep on Pima. Morenci will be around at the end

I think this might be a mixed bag here. Do you guys hit multiple games on a Friday night or stick with one? Also do you enjoy the occasions where you might be the only media member covering the game?

For me it's just one game only. I like getting the flow from start to finish and not having to worry about parking, going through entrance again, etc.... There was a time when I liked seeing numerous media members at the games to bounce ideas and maybe they saw something I didn't. Nowadays If I'm the only one I don't mind at all.

I honestly can’t remember a season I’ve been less amped up for. Usually I’m counting down the seconds but this year I keep forgetting it even starts Sunday. Is anyone else experiencing this?

I don’t know if it’s simply because we didn’t have the usual preseason games to get excited over 4th string guys who will never play an actual down, if it’s because basketball and hockey playoffs are on or if it’s because I’m not in my car listening to 98.7 much, but something is off.

Will be interesting to see if Sunday I magically get in the groove or if I’m just realizing I don’t need the NFL as much as I used to think. My guess, once I get my fix, I’ll be addicted all over again.

Now that we tentatively have a HS fall season, let's talk about the important stuff: Where are your go-to food spots when going to certain schools?

A few of mine:

(Note: Some of these are obviously chains but for some reason I always go to when going to particular campuses)

Notre Dame Prep - The Thumb
Chandler/Hamilton - Elmer's/Valle Luna/San Tan Brewery
Centennial - Tacos Calafia
Brophy - Angel's Trumpet, Commander Hamburger (RIP)
Higley/Williams Field - Backyard Taco
Shadow Mountain - Uncle Sam's
Mountain Pointe - Nello's
Salpointe - Nico's
Cienega - Fito's Taco Shop
Horizon - Venezia's
Pinnacle - In-N-Out
Highland - Clay Dogs & Topo
Desert Edge - Freddy's
Saguaro - Used to be Killer Burger (RIP)

Building a Program: Desert Vista's Gino Crump

via @Gregg Rosenberg

via @jared_co

Link: https://arizonavarsity.rivals.com/news/kyler-murray-and-the-art-of-not-being-tackled

Steve Ybarra attended Cactus High School where he participated in Cross Country, Soccer and Track&Field. He was apart of back-to-back State Championship Teams 1991 and 1992. In 1992 he was the 4A State Champ in both the 800m and the 1600m. His team also was the 4x400m Relay State Champs that year as well. Steve was also the State Record Holder in the 800m which he set his Senior Year. To go along with his Track&Field accomplishments Steve Ybarra was also the 1992 Soccer Player of the year, 4A All State Soccer in 1991 and 1992. He went on to run collegiality for UoA for 2 years and after that went on to play Soccer at Yavapai College for 2 years and finished his Soccer Career at Wisconsin-Parkside. He was a 2012 Inductee into the National Junior College Soccer Hall of Fame

Coaching- Asst Track coach at Cactus in 2000, asst Track coach Centennial 2001-2002, 2007-2008, 2012-16, Head Track Coach Centennial 2003-2004, 2009-2010, 2020. 4A State Champs 2003-2004.

What Age Did You Start Participating In Track&Field?
Ran one year at age 12, then again my junior year and senior in high school

Did You Play Any Other Sports Growing Up?
Soccer, very involved in soccer.

How Was Your Track&Field Experience During High School?
Incredible, Made some life long friends on the track, love seeing ex competitors as well. Loved what Track did for me athletically and how much it helped me for soccer.

When Was The Moment You Fell In Love With Track&Field?
After my first race. Dual meet at home vs Agua Fria. Ran 4:45, and died, but I didn’t know how to run it yet so I couldn’t wait to get better at it

What High School Did You Attend?
Cactus High School

Did You Participate In Club Track or Just Your School Team?
When I was 12 years old, ran for Ray Davis at Arizona Puma. 7th place 1986 Nationals for the 4x400.
My junior and senior year at Cactus High School.

Who Was Your High School Coach, and Did You Enjoy Running For Them?
Mark Moffatt, great man and when he talked to you, you always felt like going out and performing to the best of your abilities. We are good friends now and I always look to him for advice or training ideas.

When Did You Know Track&Field Would Take You Somewhere?
When I got my first recruiting call from University of Arizona after I won the Thunderbird Invitational in cross country my senior year.

What Was Your Most Memorable Track&Field Moment In High School?
1a) 1992 State Meet, the 800 meter finals. Crossing the line and looking up the scoreboard at University of Arizona stadium and seeing 1:52.18 breaking the state record. So many emotions.
1b) 1992 Great Southwest- 800 meters coming from behind to win and running a 1:51.46 against a very talented runner from new Mexico.

How Many Offers Did You Have Coming Out Of High School and What Made You Choose The School You Attended?
6-I chose the University of Arizona because they were the first to recruit me and at the time they were one of the best distance programs in the nation.

Did You End Up Participating In Track At The Collegiate Level or Did You Choose Another Sport?
I ran for two years at UoA, then transferred back to junior college to play soccer and finished at a D-2 school for soccer.

What Did You Major In? Are You Still In That Field or Did You Change Careers?
Spanish, I’ve been teaching Spanish at Centennial HS for 21 years.

As An Athlete What Goals Did You Set For Yourself? Did You Manage To Accomplish Them Goals?
In HS, I wanted our team to win State, but I also wanted to win state for the 800m. Never did I ever think I would win the 1600m and break the state record in the 800m.

As A Former Athlete What Advice Would You Give To Today's Current Athletes?
I always try to express to them that you get to be athlete in a competitive atmosphere for very long. Make the best of it because you will miss it when it’s over.