NOTE: This weekly football preview primarily covers the area from north Scottsdale west through Phoenix, the southwest and northwest Valley, northwest Arizona, northern Arizona and northeast Arizona, including Native American communities.

By Don Ketchum

Which team will become the leader in the first year of Division III, Section II football?

Peoria Liberty looks formidable, but the top spot could very well come down to Friday night’s (Sept. 9) encounter between “old friends’’ Peoria and host Glendale Cactus.

The teams, both members of the Peoria District, have faced each other numerous times. The scores rarely have been runaways, and the teams should keep each other within reach this time around.

The teams already have a common opponent – Phoenix Moon Valley. Cactus pounded the Rockets 53-0 in its only game thus far, while Peoria rolled to a 43-0 triumph in Week 2 after a 24-13 loss in the opener to Division II Glendale Apollo.

Other games of note . . .

Phoenix Arcadia at Phoenix Thunderbird – Thunderbird, which won the Class 4A Division II championship in 2010, is licking its wounds after a humbling 70-21 loss at the hands of 4A-I champ Scottsdale Saguaro last week. Arcadia topped Scottsdale Coronado in its opener, then held on against Phoenix Washington last week for a wild 48-41 win.

Running back Connor Hustead continues to lead Thunderbird.

Phoenix Scottsdale Christian at Phoenix Northwest Christian – After losing to Camp Verde and Fountain Hills by significant margins, Scottsdale Christian goes from the frying pan into the fire against the Class 2A champs, who are playing their home opener.

Running back Casey Jahn continues to work his magic for Northwest Christian, running over and around opponents.

Glendale Ironwood at Glendale Apollo – Apollo, led by quarterback Jonathan Brown, is looking more and more like the principal challenger to powerhouse Peoria Centennial in Division II, Section I. Ironwood could wind up being a factor. It won for the second time last week, defeating Phoenix St. Mary’s.

Prescott at Anthem Boulder Creek – Prescott was manhandled by Glendale Deer Valley 43-6 last week, and Boulder Creek gave Phoenix Brophy Prep a good battle before falling 45-33. If Division II Prescott can score a road win over a Division I team here, its confidence will be restored.

Parker at Buckeye – Is Parker for real? This week should provide more of an answer in this Division IV, Section III test. Parker defeated Wickenburg and Needles, Calif., combining for 90 points. Buckeye has put 97 points on the board in wins over Phoenix Cortez and Phoenix Sierra Linda.

Phoenix Paradise Valley at Peoria Liberty – Paradise Valley’s program is trying to regain its footing after a couple of down years and dropping a few classifications. Liberty is trying to establish a program that has grown in recent years, although lopsided wins over El Mirage Dysart and Glendale didn’t offer a whole lot in terms of competition.

Chandler Basha vs. Phoenix St. Mary’s at Phoenix College – St. Mary’s will have to tighten up its defense against a Basha team that scored 52 and 55 points in the first two weeks against Tempe Corona del Sol and Glendale Mountain Ridge.

Phoenix Carl Hayden at Phoenix Trevor Browne – Something’s got to give in this game between struggling programs, both 0-2. A win here will do wonders for pride and establish some confidence as the season moves on.

Snowflake at Lakeside Blue Ridge – Snowflake wants to prove it belongs with the likes of Blue Ridge and Class 3A champion Show Low in the news Division IV, Section I. The Lobos have wins over Whiteriver Alchesay and Holbrook, but those teams were not even close to being the obstacle that Blue Ridge will be.

Avondale Agua Fria at Phoenix Greenway – Agua Fria, 2-0 under new coach Craig Holland, looks to continue to rebuild. Greenway rebounded from an opening-night loss to Peoria Sunrise Mountain with a victory over Glendale Independence.

St. Johns at Fort Defiance Window Rock – St. Johns has to avoid a letdown after last week’s emotional win over rival Round Valley. Window Rock has scored a combined 107 points against Many Farms and Sanders Valley, but this opposing defense will prove to be much more difficult to solve.

Keep an eye on these games as well . . .

Williams at Camp Verde, Payson at Fountain Hills, Flagstaff Coconino at Kingman, Mayer at Heber Mogollon, Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian at Phoenix Arizona Lutheran, Chandler Valley Christian at Phoenix Bourgade Catholic, Prescott Valley Bradshaw Mountain at Cave Creek Cactus Shadows, Phoenix Sunnyslope at Scottsdale Chaparral, Scottsdale Coronado at Phoenix Cortez, Ganado at Keams Canyon Hopi, Phoenix Valley Lutheran at Salome and Phoenix North at Tolleson.