Let’s try this again.

Lightning postponed Arizona high school football’s opening night Thursday, with Scottsdale Christian leading San Tan Charter 7-0 in the second quarter. It was the only game scheduled in Arizona last night.

But with more rain expected Friday, Mother Nature is planning to dampen the mood once again. The small schools (1-3A) will take center stage during the first Friday Night Lights of the season.

azpreps365 and 1580 The Fanatic will broadcast the biggest game of the night, when Thatcher travels to Paradise Valley in a 3A showdown. To mark the first Friday of the season, kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. between the top-10 teams.

To help prepare fans for the upcoming season, azpres365’s preseason 1 and 3A rankings are below. You can find the 2A rankings here.

To view the 52nd annual Sollenberger Arizona Prep Football magazine, go here.

3A rankings

By Brian M. Bergner Jr.

AZPreps365.com

1. SABINO: Three-year starting quarterback Cameron Hackworth returns for his senior season in 2023 having completed 68% of his passes for 2,720 yards and 31 touchdowns last fall. “[He is] the epitome of a leader,” Sabino head coach Ryan McBrayer said. “He is surrounded by a very talented core at all the skill positions.” McBrayer, who needs four wins this season to hit the 50 mark for his career at Sabino, said the biggest challenge this season will be staying healthy due to not having a bye week. “Every game is going to be a big challenge,” McBrayer said.

2. PARADISE HONORS: Returning as 3A Metro West Region champs, Paradise Honors is looking to take the next step toward claiming a state title in 2023. And with 14 returning starters and a strong core of seniors who have played three years of varsity football together, they are ready to do just that. “This team bought into the culture and core values. One of the core values this program has built on is family, and this team has become a family and believes in and plays for one another,” Paradise Honors head coach Josh Goodloe said. The Panthers finished 9-2 overall last fall, losing to No. 4 Show Low 77-42 in the state quarterfinals. During their 5-0 mark in region play, Paradise Honors averaged 51.8 points per game.

3. SHOW LOW: The defending 3A Northeast Region champs return this fall with only six returning starters, but do-it-all senior Nash Brewer won’t mind the challenge. Throwing for more than 1,500 yards and 21 touchdowns in the air, Brewer also ran for more than 800 yards on the ground and scored 16 more touchdowns with his legs as one of the top dual-threat athletes in the state. At 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, the senior quarterback, defensive back and punter will keep any opposing coach up at night wondering how to stop him. The Cougars lost 21-7 to No. 1-ranked Thatcher in the state semifinals last fall.

4. THATCHER: Having lost to the eventual state champion in each of the past two seasons, Thatcher head coach Daniel Jones and his program are chomping at the bit to finally get over the hump. They hope that it finally happens in 2023. Returning only six starters after graduating a “very talented” senior class, the Eagles will rely on a youthful influx of gifted football players. Its JV team went undefeated last year. “We have some very dynamic athletes, and they will just need to gel and mold together to play our brand of Thatcher football.” Jones said. “Thatcher has a very rich tradition of loving football. We have multiple assistant coaches who went to school here and were champions in their own right.”

5. ALA-WEST FOOTHILLS: Starting 0-4 last season before winning five of their last six games to make the 3A state playoffs, ALA-West Foothills players built confidence along the way in preparation for this fall. And with 16 starters returning in 2023, the Guardians may be the sleeper team to watch in the 3A. Chad Mitton, who enters his first year as head coach, said his one-two punch at running back is one of the best in the state. Running back Marquez Smith led the 3A Metro West in rushing with 1,285 yards and 16 touchdowns last fall. And his counterpart, Memphis Palelei, just ran a 4.8 40-yard dash this offseason, making the running game a formidable offensive attack teams will have to stop. “The two together make us a contender,” Mitton said. Palelei also plays middle linebacker, and at 6-foot-1, 265 pounds, he’s a force to be reckoned with.

6. MOHAVE: Entering its third season in 3A football, Mohave is also looking to take the next step this fall in its goal to win a state title. Claiming the 3A West Region last fall with a perfect 6-0 record, coach Rudy Olvera’s group will feature a senior linebacker who is being sought after by several NCAA Division I football programs, including West Point and UNLV. Slowing down 6-foot, 225-pound senior Jonathan Williams won’t be easy. As a junior, he was third in the 3A West Region in tackles with 79. Mohave made it to the state playoffs as a No. 9 seed, losing to No. 8 Valley Christian 33-19.

7. PUSCH RIDGE: Pusch Ridge finished 11-2 overall a season ago, losing to only 3A South Region champ Thatcher (28-14 in Week 6) and Eastmark (45-10) in the 3A state semifinals last November. Returning three starters on offense and five on defense, the Lions’ youth and inexperience will have to weather a difficult path to the playoffs with Show Low (Aug. 25, NAU), Sabino (Sept. 29), Morenci (Oct. 6) and Thatcher (Oct. 20) on the schedule. Kent Middleton’s group will rely on a group of tough-minded seniors, including quarterback Bubba Mustain, linebacker Will Joyce, offensive lineman Max Amerine and defensive back Tyler Drecsher. Pusch Ridge opens the season Aug. 25 against Show Low.

8. VALLEY CHRISTIAN: An early first-round exit in the 3A state playoffs isn’t exactly what a traditional winning program such as Valley Christian was looking for in 2022. And after graduating a strong group of seniors, leaving behind only four returning starters, this season’s Trojans will have something to prove. But that doesn’t mean that they won’t be one of the top 3A teams to watch in 2023. Coach Jake Petersen expects his group to make it to at least the 3A state quarterfinals. To do so, the Trojans will turn to senior quarterback Gunner Link, who threw a total of 11 passes last fall behind senior standout Hunter Heeringa. Seniors Caleb Lewis (LB), Isaiah Anderson (SS), Will Bastian (C) and Jimmy Twonbly (OLB) are ones to watch in 2023. Also, young center Cal Keeler is a nationally ranked long-snapper for the Trojans.

9. MORENCI: Under first-year head coach Rishard Davis, the Wildcats are fresh off a 2A state championship appearance in 2022 when they went 12-2 overall but lost to Pima 59-19 for the title. Now in the 3A South Region, Morenci returns 11 starters looking to learn a new system under Davis, who said his biggest challenge this fall is “establishing a relationship” with his new players. “I feel we have to hit the ground running,” Davis said, adding that he shouldn’t have too much problem. “The majority of the players on our team have known each other since elementary school. Most schools have to force team building throughout the offseason, where at Morenci, it’s grown organically.”

10. ROUND VALLEY: The Elks earned a No. 6 seed in last year’s state playoffs, defeating No. 11 Florence, 26-13, before losing 44-0 to No. 3 Pusch Ridge in the quarterfinals. Round Valley returns 13 starters, including seven on defense, from a group that took second overall in the 3A Northeast Region with a 6-1 record. One of those returners is quarterback Ryker Marble. The senior was third overall in 3A Northeast Region play with 17 touchdown passes as a junior. The Elks host 3A conference newcomer and 2A state runner-up Morenci at home Aug. 25.

1A rankings

1. MOGOLLON: The Mustangs are aiming to become the first 1A team to four-peat. “Staying humble and continuing to have fun will be key,” coach Rick Samon said. Players from last year’s undefeated junior varsity and junior high teams will help fill some voids. Preseason 1A Player of the Year candidate QB Kyson Owen will direct the offense while the new backfield earns its stripes. The new defensive leaders are linebackers Bryson Kelton and Ryan Ulmer. A warning for opposing offensive lines: Start preparing for Mohammed Kayed (6-0, 270). Samon handed the defensive coordinator duties to former arena player Drew Gamboa.

2. BAGDAD: The sexy pick to unseat the reigning champ because of its experience. Right guard, center and nose guard are the only slots to fill. But 1,000-pound, three lift accomplisher Nick Martinez and state wrestling placer Tommy Nelson are more than ready to help fill in. With football/baseball star Shane Hooper, the Sultans can swing for the fences. Getting the WR/RB/DB/KR the ball will be a young yet confident QB, Ezrah Aguilar. Look for another youngster, Masiu Aholelei, to keep throwing his weight around at RB.

3. WILLIAMS: Most of the starters are new, but what doesn’t graduate are the expectations: playoffs or bust. Providing the senior leadership are three-year starter Raymond Gonzalez (RB/LB) and Cody Payne (WR/CB). Another senior, receiver J.P. Echeverria, is suiting up for the first time and ready to produce immediately. Lineman Ryan Burns (6-6, 270) headlines the junior class. The sophomore class is filled with some potential breakout stars. One of them is QB Jack Dent, who will spread the ball around for a program that in recent years was run heavy. Dent’s dad, Jeff, a former QB at Williams, led the program to the 1993 title.

4. HAYDEN: A ring is what’s missing since coach John Estrada reestablished the program as a contender. The chase continues this season but without many veteran skill players. The backup QB the last two years, Paul Gaither, is finally getting the keys to the offense. The running backs are new but there’s plenty of horsepower,with Deondre Collier, Rene Ochoa, Kino Loroña and Jordan Rodriguez. The offensive line is fully stocked with returners, including leader Ismael Gallego. The dominant Dominic Alvarado (DL) and all-state player Rene Ochoa (LB) are the defensive enforcers.

5. SAN MANUEL: Two-way threat Dominic Rodriguez is healthy after recovering from a broken collar bone. The team’s workout ‘beast,’ G/DL Aiden Lozoya (5-10, 250), will be a four-year starter. Lozoya and fellow senior Tommy Morris are the main cogs on the lines. With three players battling for the starting quarterback nod, a new QB will start for the second year in a row for San Manuel. But the new QB will be surrounded by a lot of experience. Keeping WR/RB Isaiah Huerta healthy will be key. David Ward, San Manuel’s former head coach, returned this season as an assistant.

6. ST. DAVID: With so much youth, the talented sophomores and juniors have been cramming for their season-long tests. St. David, which never seems to run out of quarterbacks, is preparing to showcase the quickness of new signal caller Grayson Merrill. Center Cole Haymore (back from injury) guard Quinton Williams and the quick Jadon Hill, a RB, are emerging as potential headliners. Another Haynie, CB/RB Cedar, figures to also be in the spotlight eventually, following his brothers’ footsteps. One of the three seniors on the team is first-year player Safina Blachly. She is a talented tennis player who’ll play wide receiver.

7. SALOME: It isn’t as experienced as last year’s quarterfinal squad, but the expectations remain high for a program with a solid tradition. Some of the valuable veterans are the poised and elusive Jibran Castillo (QB) and a three-year starter in the trenches, Stephen Avila (6-3, 250). New backfield threat Carlos Esparza doesn’t shy away from contact but can also break away from defenders. The progress of crisp route runner Edgar Gamez was on full display in the offseason. Soph. Christopher Smith (6-4, 225) is moving to defensive end. Salome will attempt to defend its region title and defeat Bagdad on the road for the first time in over 20 years.

8. CICERO PREP: Welcome to the rankings for the first time, Centurions. Last season, the Scottsdale program reached the playoffs, accomplishing another first. In its third year with the AIA, Cicero Prep is home to one of 1A’s elite receivers, David Yourkoski. Jr. RB Bronjour Bruyhunga is healthy, so good luck trying to catch the anchor of the school’s 4 by 100 team. Luke Hodgson, the backup QB the last two seasons and only new starter on offense, is set to take over. One of the team’s top athletes, Martin Perez, will line up at DE.

9. SUPERIOR: A former five year old ball boy and alum of Superior landed his dream head coaching job. Congrats Elias Olmos. Unlike last year, the team will spread the ball more this season. When it does run, the Panthers will lean on the very fast and reliable David Drennan. The senior RB/LB, who is also one of his team’s best tacklers, is seeking his third consecutive 1,000 yard rushing season. The return of WR Jared Toner and FB/MLB Joel Romero, who were injured last season, are two of the other weapons for new pocket passer Antonio Lopez.

10. EL CAPITAN: The team’s future appears bright with the White brothers still in the lineup. Zedakye and Denim wreaked havoc during their first three years as starters. Zedakye (6-2, 230), a QB, is a 4.0 student and set to assume more of a leadership role. Denim is Zedakye’s No. 1 option on the outside. Another White sibling will join them this season, Kurt, a new assistant. Second-year starter Tyson Zitting (lineman), RB Jay Timpson and lineman Ethan Hammon round out the leadership core of a teamsearching for its third consecutive postseason trip.