Ben Stapley

Ben Stapley

Joined: Oct 26, 2025

Ben Stapley has covered high school sports in Arizona for more than two decades, in addition to working as a teacher of English and special education. Stapley is also the author of the book Unbeatable: A Perfect Team A Coaching Icon, which details the incredible story of the 1995 Mesa Mountain View High School boys basketball team, its Hall of Fame coach and its epic showdown against the most decorated high school basketball player in Arizona history. Stapley began contributing to High School On SI in 2025.

Basha's Jake Rogers (18) and Hamilton's Daniel Vaita (11) have led their respective teams to the Open Semifinals this weekend after both lost their starting quarterbacks in the regular season.

Former Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer is in his fifth season as a head coach with American Leadership Academy, The first three at Queen Creek and the last two with ALA Gilbert North. Detmer has compiled a 46-12 record.

Hamilton quarterback Marlie Phillips (1) has thrown for nearly 6,000 yards and 103 touchdowns this season. The prolific sophomore looks to lead the Huskies to their second consecutive state title against Red Mountain Saturday night.

Desert Mountain quarterback Grant Garduno celebrates a scoring drive earlier earlier this season

Brophy wide receiver Devin Fitzgerald (1), the son of Arizona Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald, sprints down the field for a 64-yard touchdown against Hamilton during a Sept. 19, 2025 contest

Arizona

After multiple one-point semifinal losses, a roster full of NFL bloodlines leads No. 5 Brophy into a high-stakes quarterfinal against powerhouse Chandler.

Mountain View head coach Andy Litten has readied his team for this week's playoff showdown with Centennial in a rematch of last year's 6A state championship game, won by Centennial.

Arizona

Last year’s 6A title clash made history — now, with both programs reloaded, Mountain View and Centennial collide again in a high-stakes Open playoff showdown.

Highland senior Jayden Collins returns to the huddle last week during the Hawks game against Mountain View. Collins will start his 10th game this season after suffering severe leg injury a year ago.

Arizona

One year after suffering a gruesome compound fracture that left his leg “shaped like a Z,” Collins has defied all odds — returning stronger than ever and helping lead the Hawks back into the 6A state playoffs.

Jameson Wade (13) looks to lead the Red Mountain to a third straight win over Bobby Nesbit (left) and ALA Queen Creek on Friday night.

Arizona

After a rocky 0-5 start and the sudden loss of offensive coordinator Max Hall, ALA Queen Creek has stormed back with four straight wins.

Hamilton receiver Roye Oliver III helped the Huskies overcome a 34-13 deficit Friday night, sparking a 55-41 win.

Arizona

After losing starting quarterback Jax Sculley, the Hamilton Huskies stormed back from a 34–13 halftime deficit behind backup Daniel Vaita, scoring 42 second-half points to complete a 55–41 victory and cap a perfect 10-0 season.

Arizona

From world championships in Italy and Abu Dhabi to back-to-back Arizona state wrestling crowns, Mountain View senior Delton Kaufmann is proving that his journey — from MMA prodigy to high school phenom — is far from ordinary.

Sophomores Roye Oliver (3) and Jax Sculley (8) have combined for over 4,500 yards this season for No. 1 Hamilton.

Arizona

Quarterback Jax Sculley and receiver Roye Oliver III have turned Hamilton’s offense into an unstoppable force — breaking records, toppling national powers and positioning the Huskies for their first Arizona high school football state title since 2012.

Junior tailback Rio Arnett (11) takes a handoff from from fellow junior Boogie Anetema (19) during a 24-17 win over Gilbert Perry.

Arizona

Once a state powerhouse with 11 championships, Mesa High is showing signs of a true revival under new head coach Jeremy Hathcock — a proven winner bringing pride, purpose, and passion back to one of Arizona’s most historic programs.