The first full week of football has arrived with a handful of games Thursday (Aug. 28) in the Valley and Tucson and a bulging plate of contests throughout the state Friday (Aug. 29) and a few on Saturday (Aug. 30).

Here's a peek at 10 interesting games on this week's slate:

THURSDAY AUG. 28

Gilbert at Mesquite: Mesquite won last year's meeting, 10-3, on a rainy opening night. Mesquite, with veteran head coach Jim Jones at the helm,  went to the Division II semifinals picking up steam on the way to a semi loss to Chaparral. Mesquite finished 11-2. Gilbert was 2-8 last year under first-year coach Tim Rutt. The Tigers are likely to be without Rutt tonight as he continues to be sidelined with pay by the district in an ongoing investigation by the Gilbert district. Mesquite will introduce practically new lineups across the board after massive graduation losses. A few holdovers and players from an 8-1 junior varsity will try to keep Mesquite a D-II playoff contender. Top players are running back Mier Premraj and linebacker Zach Lamatrice. Gilbert is led by college-bound offensive lineman Steve Miller.

FRIDAY AUG. 29

Chandler at Centennial: Centennial lost just twice last season. One was the opener to Chandler, won by the Wolves' 41-21. Top-ranked Chandler features quarterback Bryce Perkins, who carved up Centennial pretty good last year. Perkins piled up 314 yards of offense and accounted for five TDs. Centennial is led by running back Dedrick Young, Young was limited to 79 yards and one TD in last year's game. Chandler was a D-I semifinalist last year while Centennial was upended in the D-II quarterfinals to end a 10-game winning streak for the Coyotes. 

Basha at Desert Vista: This game marks the head coaching debut for Gerald Todd, an assistant for several seasons prior, at Basha. These schools didn't play last year, but met in the first round of the 2012 D-I playoffs with Desert Vista winning, 35-28. Both teams slipped a bit last year in overall record. Basha made the playoffs, but bowed out at 6-6 after a 7-4 campaign in 2012. Desert Vista was 9-3 in 2012 and dropped to 4-6 with no playoff berth last season. Desert Vista is anxious to turn things around and get back to the playoffs. The Thunder are led by quarterback-turned linebacker Cade van Raaphorst, quarterback Alex Forina and running back TJ Roberts. Basha features receivers Doc O'Connor and Joe Storm, who are getting used to a new head coach and quarterback.

Pinnacle at Red Mountain: Pinnacle returns much more experience than Red Mountain so the edge in their season opener seems to be on the Pioneers side. Quarterback Brian Lewerke is primed for a big year and helped Pinnacle pull out a 21-16 win over Red Mountain last year. Lewerke passed for 208 yards and two TDs vs. Red Mountain in 2013. Lewerke has capable targets in two-way standout (WR-DB) Cules Rose and wide out Adam Turner. Red Mountain is unveiling a revamped stadium and a largely new cast of players in attempting to continue a playoff-qualifying streak.

Cienega at Ironwood Ridge: Ironwood Ridge opened its season with a 24-20 loss to Liberty in a battle of top D-II schools.This is Cienega's season opener as the Bobcats look to earn a playoff berth after a 5-5 effort last year. Ironwood Ridge prevailed in last year's meeing, 35-27. Cienega is led by quarterback Adriell Alvarado and receiver Terrence Johnson. Ironwood Ridge's Cole McLafferty debuted as a starter in the backfield last week and piled up 150 yards rushing and a TD.

Desert Edge at Liberty: Both schools played in zero week and recorded wins. Liberty, a D-II quarterfinalist in 2013, edged Ironwood Ridge and D-III  Desert Edge blanked South Mountain, 70-0. Running back Jake Schuitboer was the main offensive weapon for Liberty, rushing for 209 yards and a score in a 24-20 win. Liberty's defense blanked Ironwood Ridge in the second half. Desert Edge, a D-III semifinalist last year,  subbed often in its rout with six players combining for 352 yards rushing. Last year's leading rusher, sophomore Roshaun Johnson, ran for 54 yards and two TDs and added a third score via reception. Desert Edge is top-heavy in underclassmen at the skill positions. Desert Edge won last year's meeting, 49-35.

Horizon at Marcos de Niza: The 2014 lid-lifter for both teams. They engaged in an Arena Football-type game last year with D-II Marcos de Niza pulling out a 56-53 victory. D-I Horizon is led by third-year starter at quarterback Dalton Sneed, who passed for 3,700 yards and 44 touchdowns last year. Sneed will work with a less-experienced skill set. This will be the debut of Sean Morin as Marcos de Niza's head coach in a non-interim capacity. Morin coached the Padres in their two postseason games last year. Horizon lost in the first round of the D-I playoffs last year while Marcos de Niza was eliminated in the D-II quarterfinals.

Chaparral at Saguaro: Yet annother chapter in the Scottsdale rivarly between D-II Chaparral and D-III Saguaro. Chaparral was D-II runner-up last year and Saguaro was D-III champ. Saguaro rolls out arguably the state's best player in versatile Christian Kirk. Chaparral's new coach, Conrad Hamilton, was the defensive coordinator last year. Hamilton inherits a predominantly fresh set of skill position players as the Firebirds try to match Saguaro's firepower. Chaparral limited Kirk to under 100 yards rushing and receiving and kept him out of the end zone in 2013's 52-27 triumph. Chaparral is led by senior quarterback Sean Brophy, who passed for 252 yards in last year's matchup. Saguaro has a 13-game winning streak intact with its last loss the opener last year to Chaparral. The 27 points Saguaro notched in last year's game was its season low. 

Mingus at Snowflake: A quality matchup to open the season for D-IV Snowflake and D-III Mingus. Snowflake won at Mingus last year, 35-21. Mingus finished 5-5 and Snowflake was 9-3.  Snowflake was eliminated in the D-IV quarters by eventual runner-up River Valley. Snowflake graduated outstanding quarterback Ty Reidhead, but has solid lines and running back Trevor McCray the top skill player back. The Lobos introduce new quarterback Porter Black in a starting role. Mingus tests out inexperience up front, but has a seasoned weapon in running back Javin Helsel. Leaders for Mingus on defense are linebacker Levi Collins and defensive back Herb Tiffany.

Yuma Catholic vs. Tempe Prep at Arizona Lutheran Academy: Yuma Catholic is the defending D-V champ and has the makeup to repeat. The Shamrocks are led by tight end-defensive end Matt Pistone who has committed to Oregon State, quarterback Jagan Cleary, running back-receiver Carter Rodriguez and wide out Donovan Rooks. Defense is the Shamrocks' point of emphasis at the outset, but the Shamrocks should be able to pile up some points regardless. Tempe Prep coach Tom Brittain believes this could be the school's best team. The Knights get the chance to prove it right away. Lots of returnees from last year's team that fell in the quarterfinals -- linebackers Zach Brittain, Isaiah Brittain, and linemen Connor Wolz and Cameron Burgin to name a few. Yuma Cathoic won last year's meeting in Yuma, 24-0.