SBLive Top 20 Power Rankings: Mesquite debuts; Chandler, Hamilton still top

Here are SBLive’s Top 20 Arizona high school football rankings for the week of Oct. 26.

Our statewide football rankings, which span all conferences, are released every Monday throughout the 2020 high school football season. The rankings are compiled by SBLive reporter Connor Morrissette.

SBLIVE POWER RANKINGS: ARIZONA TOP 20

Oct. 26, 2020

1. Chandler (4-0)

Last week’s ranking: No. 1

Chandler beat No. 14 Higley 63-7. The Wolves have outscored opponents 226-17, with three of those games coming against Top 20 competition.

2. Hamilton (3-0)

Last week’s ranking: No. 2

Hamilton beat No. 3 Saguaro 13-7. Hamilton’s defense didn’t allow a point (Saguaro’s lone touchdown came on special teams). With Nicco Marchiol under center and a dominant defense pitching a shutout, the Huskies showed why they’re nationally ranked.

3. Saguaro (2-1)

Last week’s ranking: No. 3

Saguaro struggled on offense in the loss to Hamilton.

Nice play by Zach Lewis here ft. @EricSports360AZ #VXLive #TeamAZV pic.twitter.com/lsoVQdOoRx
— Zach Alvira (@ZachAlvira) October 24, 2020

4. Highland (4-0)

Last week’s ranking: No. 4

Highland beat Perry 42-9. Max Davis scored five touchdowns.

5. Centennial (3-1)

Last week’s ranking: No. 6

Centennial beat No. 20 Pinnacle 31-21. A fourth-quarter rushing touchdown by James Scott put Centennial up 31-21.

6. Chaparral (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: No. 8

Chaparral beat Brophy Prep 35-0. The Firebirds dominated on both sides of the ball in their season-opening win.

This play in which Chaparral LB Joey Balducci tackles Brophy Prep RB Ethan Lee for a 3-yd loss closes out Q3.

Chaparral clan in the front, letting their feet stomp on Brophy, 35-0 #azreplay pic.twitter.com/fxxdKw58EF
— DANA (@iam_DanaScott) October 24, 2020

7. Sunrise Mountain (4-0)

Last week’s ranking: No. 10

Sunrise Mountain beat Valley Vista 35-7. Travis Ward threw a 60-yard touchdown to Ezekiel Marshall to open the scoring for the Mustangs.

8. Liberty (2-2)

Last week’s ranking: No. 13

Liberty beat No. 11 Queen Creek 35-28. A late defensive stand clinched the win for the Lions.

9. Williams Field (2-2)

Last week’s ranking: No. 14

Williams Field beat No. 10 Casteel 31-28. A late field goal won the game for the Black Hawks. Running back Josh Dye had a big night.

Another HUGE run. 64 yds by Josh Dye for Williams Field. Blackhawks putting it on Casteel. Dye would score 1 play later. WF leads 28-7 7:50 in 3Rd Q. #FridayNight360AZ pic.twitter.com/MygWnYMIvq
— Sports360AZ (@Sports360AZ) October 24, 2020

10. Casteel (3-1)

Last week’s ranking: No. 5

Casteel lost to No. 9 Williams Field 31-28 on a late field goal. The Colts had a chance to win the game late but were stopped on offense.

11. Queen Creek (2-2)

Last week’s ranking: No. 9

Queen Creek lost to No. 8 Liberty 35-28. The score was tied 21-21 after the third quarter and Queen Creek scored a fourth-quarter touchdown, but it wasn’t enough.

12. Corona del Sol (4-0)

Last week’s ranking: No. 11

Corona del Sol beat Mesa 52-7. A year ago, the Aztecs started the season 1-3. They’re now 4-0.

13. Desert Edge (3-0)

Last week’s ranking: No. 12

Desert Edge beat Ironwood 41-7. Fabian Lopez was one of the players of the game.

Lopez runs this one in to add to his TD total tonight. Desert Edge now leads Ironwood 41-7. @Sports360AZ @AZHSFB @gridironarizona pic.twitter.com/Z8Ljo28usW
— Chris Day (@TheCoachDay) October 24, 2020

14. Higley (2-2)

Last week’s ranking: 7

Higley lost to No. 1 Chandler 63-7. Branson Heywood caught the lone Higley touchdown.

15. Boulder Creek (3-1)

Last week’s ranking: No. 15

Boulder Creek beat Mountain Ridge 35-21. Jacob Cisneros put the Jaguars ahead 21-7 with a rushing touchdown. Mountain Ridge cut it to 28-21, but the Jaguars held on.

16. Salpointe Catholic (2-0)

Last week’s ranking: No. 16

Salpointe Catholic beat Buena 37-6. The Lancers' defense forced five turnovers. Two of the interceptions were returned for touchdowns.

17. Campo Verde (3-1)

Last week’s ranking: No. 18

Campo Verde beat Notre Dame Prep 27-12. Conner Calloway’s interception set up Caden Calloway’s 31-yard rushing touchdown which put Campo Verde ahead 27-12.

18. Mountain View Mesa (3-0)

Last week’s ranking: 19

Mountain View beat Desert Vista 35-21. Jackson Akins found Cade Colemere for a touchdown in the second half to make it 35-21.

19. Mesquite (3-1)

Last week’s ranking: NR

Mesquite beat Seton Catholic 50-8. Senior quarterback Ty Thompson completed 17 of 27 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns.

20. Pinnacle (1-1)

Last week’s ranking: No. 17

Pinnacle lost to No. 5 Centennial 31-21. The Pioneers led 21-17 in the third quarter but couldn’t hold on.

Dropped out: Desert Ridge

Moved in: Mesquite

Other teams on our radar: Desert Ridge and Desert Mountain

2020 RANKINGS

WEEK 3 RANKINGS (OCT 12)
WEEK 4 RANKINGS (OCT. 19)

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MORE: 2020 ARIZONA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW