The past two seasons Mesa High, Mountain Pointe and Desert Ridge forged their way to the forefront to challenge Hamilton for kingship of big school football in the state.

With schools hitting the practice field in earnest Monday and most opening their seasons Aug. 26, there are candidates to take a shot at three-time champ Hamilton (Division I, formerly 5A-I) or two-time champ Chaparral (Division II, formerly 5A-II).

Jeremy Hathcock, who piloted Desert Ridge to an exciting  title-game run last November and December in 5A-I, forsees a donnybrook in newly classified Division I.

"The caliber of football in Division I this year is high, higher overall than it's been for a while," Hathcock said. "If there is a team out there capable of rising and making a deep run it might be Mesquite. They don't have a lot of depth, and will have a bunch of guys go both ways. But they have talent."

Hathcock no sooner stopped talking about Mesquite then he latched on to Mountain Pointe as a possible nemesis for to Hamilton. Mountain Pointe, after several down seasons, has reached the big school semis two years in a row.To see the Pride advance far would not be a shock now, according to Hathcock. Mountain Pointe opens its season Aug. 26 at Hamilton.

"Mountain Pointe, seeing them out of pads, is the best looking team of anybody," Hathcock said. "They are going to be very good. Very impressive."

Solid programs with lighter schedules that could make noise at playoff time in November are Red Mountain and Brophy. Escaping the brutal Fiesta Region and foes like Hamilton, Chandler and Desert Vista could leave the Mountain Lions and Broncos fresher when postseason arrives. They still face each other this season.

"Red Mountain you'd think has a chance to be healthier not having to play those teams they've had to face the last two years," Perry coach Preston Jones said. "They have some D-I-caliber athletes, too."

With schedules tougher for most East Valley Division I schools residing along the 60, others are getting a break strictly by virtue of geography. That will aid many schools in producing more wins than teams who might actually be better in other sections. A team that comes to mind among that group is Westview (Division I, Section II).

Westview, which lost to Chaparral in the 5A-II semifinals last year, moved up to Division I this year. The Knights reside in a 14-team section (D-1, Section I) that had just four of 14 teams trot out winning records last year. Only three of that group made the playoffs and that includes Westview.

Hathcock's Desert Ridge contingent returns a good chunk of experienced players led by skill players Jordan Becerra and Joey Counts, and four, three-year starters on defense. Last year's run and a streak of playoff appearances has instilled confidence and expectations. But Hathock isn't thinking about getting another crack at Hamilton, not stepping after stepping on the practice field just once.

"I'm not looking at that," Hathcock said. "All I'm concerned with is getting an opening-night win against Gilbert."

In Division II, Salpointe is a team Jones believes is destined for a good season. Perrry, which competes in Division II, has seen plenty of Chaparral the last two seasons and knows the Firebirds will be tough to dislodge from their title perch.

"Chaparral is loaded again," Jones said. "Getting bumped down helps Salpoiinte. They couild be a team in the thick of it late in the year.They weren't bad in 5A-I last year. But Chaparral is about as tough as anyone."

 

Salpointe has been in the big school classification nearly forever. The Lancers could be challenged in their secition by Canyon del Oro, which moves up a notch in competition this year as well as Cienega. Both were among the final four in 4A-I last year.