Those small school games focused on last week proved their worth with Round Valley topping Tempe Prep (24-13) in 2A and Sabino edging American Leadership Academy (14-13) in 3A. Add a couple of rivalry games won by the visiting teams (Globe over Miami, 12-8, for the Copper Kettle and Thatcher slipping past Safford, 20-14) and fans emerged winners for their entertainment $5.

This week the marquee games are in 6A, 5A and 4A. A particular hotbed will be at Higley District schools in Gilbert -- Williams Field and Higley. Don't  forget 6A has Chandler at Mountain Pointe on Thursday and Hamilton at Desert Ridge and Desert Vista at Skyline on Friday.

On to the action: 

WEEK 4 EAST VALLEY GAMES

Thursday Sept. 8: 6A -- Chandler (2-1) at Mountain Pointe (2-0. Friday Sept. 9: 6A -- Highland (2-1) at Brophy Prep (3-0); Corona del Sol (1-2) at Cesar Chavez (0-2); Hamilton (3-0) at Desert Ridge (1-1); Gilbert (0-2) at Dobson (2-0); Tolleson (1-1) at Mesa (2-1); Pinnacle (1-2) at Mesa Mtn. View (2-0); Boulder Creek (1-1) at Queen Creek (2-1); Basha (0-3) at Red Mountain (0-2); Perry (3-0) at Sandra Day O'Connor (1-1); Desert Vista (1-1) at Skyline (3-0); Maryvale (2-0) at Westwood (1-2). 5A -- McClintock (1-1) at Campo Verde (3-0); Mesquite (3-0) at Ironwood (0-2); Glendale (2-0) at Poston Butte (2-0); Verrado (3-0) at Williams Field (3-0). 4A -- Bradshaw Mountain (1-1) at Combs (0-2); Apache Junction (0-2) at Estrella Foothills (0-3); Saguaro (3-0) at Higley (2-0); Marcos de Niza (2-0) at Peoria (2-0); Yuma Catholic (1-1) at Seton Catholic (1-2); Tempe (1-2) at Youngker (0-3). 3A -- Fountain Hills (0-2) at American Leadership Academy (2-1); Benjamin Franklin (2-1) at ASU Prep Academy (0-1); Chandler Prep (2-1) at North Pointe Prep (0-2); Florence (3-0) at Valley Chrsitian (0-2). 2A -- Gilbert Christian (1-1) at Antelope (0-3); Glendale Prep (1-2) at Tempe Prep (1-1). Idle -- San Tan Foothills (2-1) and Casteel (3-0).

INTERESTING GAMES OUTSIDE THE EAST VALLEY

Friday Sept. 9: Tucson (2-1) at Salpointe (2-0); Horizon (3-0) at Westview (1-1); Ironwood Ridge (3-0) at Canyon del Oro (2-0); Lake Havasu (1-1) at River Valley (2-0); Cactus Shadows (2-0) at Prescott (1-1); Northwest Christian (2-0) at Blue Ridge (1-2); Safford (2-1) at Pusch Ridge (1-1); Thatcher (3-0) at Snowflake (3-0).

THIS AND THAT:  Unbeaten Higley's offense remains prolific behind the passing exploits of senior QB Mason Crossland. Crossland has thrown for 660 yards in two games with 10 TDs and four INTs. The Knights also have fared well on the ground with Draycen Hall logging 495 yards and 5 TDs in two games. Higley faces the ultimate 4A test with prohibitive 4A favorite Saguaro invading Higley. Saguaro has thumped two quality out-of-state foes and Catalina Foothills, one of the would-be-challengers to Saguaro in the conference. Saguaro beat CFH, 35-0, last week. It led 35-0 at halftime..... Meanwhile in 5A, Williams Field is also unbeaten having handily defeated Arcadia, Deer Valley and Ironwood.  Verrado has done the same vs. Paradise Valley, Arcadia and Millennium. Both schools have lived up to their top-10 preseason billing in 5A. A tasty East (Valley) meets West (Valley) matchup..... It was nice of the schedule maker to have Chandler-Mtn. Pointe play in the same week, yet luckily on a different day than Hamilton-Desert Ridge. The Thursday night  affair (Chandler-Mountain Pointe) pits teams who have won a state title in the last three years, only not last year.  Mountain Pointe has seemed the more polished team in winnin so far, albeit against lesser foes than Chandler has faced to this point. Lot of firepower on both sides, but the better defense appears to rest with the Pride..... On Friday Hamilton visits Desert Ridge, a team it has the upper hand over historically. with a 7-0 record. Hamilton hung on to beat Red Mountain last week. The Huskies need a better performance to continue their winning ways vs. Desert Ridge.  RB Jawhar Jordan and receiver Chance Brewington drive Hamilton's offense with junior quarterback Tyler Shough showing efficiency through three contests. Desert Ridge bounced back from a tough out-of-state loss to Norco, CA to thump Tucson High. Desert Ridge got its ground game untracked last week led by Tyrese Allen's 158-yard effort. Desert Ridge's passing game has been spotty, but with defensive standout Jalen Harris taking his length and skills to wide out, he's a threat anytime for big aerial plays.... Skyline has won 15 of its last 16 games and not all of them have been in dominating fashion. Seven have been decided by 10 points or less. That trend has continued the last two weeks in wins over Highland and Valley Vista. The best team the Coyotes have faced so far will be Desert Vista. Desert Vista notched its first win after a week off following an overtime loss to unbeaten Perry on Aug. 19. Skyline's defense must be at its best with Desert Vista's ability to run effectively with RB Lelon Dillard, QB Nick Thomas and SB-RB Keishaud White. Skyline has a hot back in Kaleb Hardin and a heady senior QB in TJ Duarte. Hardin rushed for 303 yards in the win over Valley Vista. Hardin has 498 yards rushing for the season. Duarte has completed 26 of 38 passes for 500 yards, 5 TDs and no picks in three games.... Expect 5A Mesquite to advance to 4-0 by taking down Ironwood on the road....Who gets their first win of the season in 6A -- Basha or Red Mountain in their tilt at Red Mountain...Can Mountain View go to 3-0? Pinnacle with games against Brophy, Basha and Chandler, is the toughest test yet for Mike Fell and Co.... Can Perry begin its season 4-0 -- on the road at Sandra Day O'Connor? Good chance. If the Pumas succeed it would be the fifth time in nine seasons since the school began varsity play that it won at least its first four games. The Pumas are making a case for being one of the surprise teams in 6A.... Thatcher and Snowflake haven't played in almost a decade, but they played last played four seasons in a row 2005-08 and split four games. Both are powers in their respective conferences -- Thatcher 2A and Snowflake 3A.... Safford has one of the toughest 3A schedules. It continues with a visit to Pusch Ridge -- another good 3A matchup. Safford faces Snowflake next week and Florence the week after.... Brophy can match last year's 4-0 start if it beats Highland. The Broncos are playing outstanding defense thus far. and solid in all phases.