Note: This article includes home games in the writer’s area of coverage, which is as follows: from Fountain Hills west through Scottsdale, all of Phoenix (except for Ahwatukee), the southwest, northwest and northern sections of the metro area. Other locales include northern, northeast and northwest Arizona.

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Here is a look at some of the top football games in the area on Friday night (Oct. 4) . . .

Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (5-0) at Phoenix Northwest Christian (5-0) – Which has the greater will, the Arizona Lutheran offense or Northwest Christian defense?

Arizona Lutheran is averaging 56.6 points per game and Division V defending champion Northwest Christian is giving up just 9.2.

Snowflake (5-0) at Lakeside Blue Ridge (4-1) – Snowflake has been playing like a Division IV contender, but the true test comes here against one the perennial powers and 2012 state runner-up.

Blue Ridge defeated Snowflake in last year’s semifinals 44-0 before going on to absorb a 28-7 setback against Chandler Seton Catholic in the title game.

Phoenix Sunnyslope (5-0) at Cave Creek Cactus Shadows (4-1) – Sunnyslope is rolling right along behind the play of 6-foot-9 quarterback Michael Humphrey and running back Tim Fryson, who has rushed for 662 yards and eight touchdowns. Cactus Shadows features a balanced offense.

Surprise Shadow Ridge (4-1) at Buckeye (4-1) – Buckeye is trying to rebound after a setback to Avondale Agua Fria last week, while Shadow Ridge is back on track with a win over Phoenix Sierra Linda that followed a big loss to Goodyear Desert Edge.

Glendale Joy Christian (4-1) at Williams (4-1) – Except for a stumble against Arizona Lutheran, Joy Christian is making a smooth transition from Division VI to Division V and putting a lot of points on the board in the process. Williams has two shutouts and has given up just 6 points in two other games.

Goodyear Millennium (2-3) at Surprise Valley Vista (3-2) – Both teams are searching for consistency as they battle for valuable power points and a possible spot in the Division I playoffs.

Heber Mogollon (4-1) at Mayer (3-3) – The strength of Division VI eight-man ball appears to be in the southern part of the state this year, but Mogollon is carrying the banner for the northern part, along with Bagdad.