We've broken down the top 10 teams in 1A, 2A and 3A. Now we turn to the big-school conferences.
As part of a continuing summer series previewing the 2026 Arizona high school football season, The Republic breaks down the top 10 teams in 4A entering the season, which starts Aug. 27-29 for the big schools. Readers can vote in our poll below for the team they think should be No. 1 to start the season. Print readers can find the poll online with this story at azcentral.com/sports/high-schools.
Republic's 4A Conference Top 10
1. Tucson Mica Mountain
This team is loaded again and could make a third straight run at the 4A crown, the second under coach Jay Campos. The offensive line is stacked, the defensive backfield is shaping up to be among the best in Arizona, at any level. This team is showing the blueprint on how to build a dynasty at a school's young age.
2. Phoenix Arcadia
The Titans have holes to fill on offense, but the defense will carry them, especially early in the season while the offense catches up. They return seven defensive starters from last year's team that reached the 4A final but fell to Mica Mountain. They're led by defensive end Greyson Stauff, linebacker Braden Knaub and defensive back Jordan Barnes.
3. Snowflake
This is a strong, sound program that every year challenges for a state title. Coach Trevor Reddick has picked up where Kay Solomon left off. The offense should be high-powered and more wide open with one of the best receiver groups in the state, led by Colter Willis and Nash Reidhead. The Lobos have one of the top kickers in junior McCoy Norton and the defense is rock solid.
4. Phoenix Northwest Christian
This Crusaders team has few weaknesses. Seven starters, including all of their linebackers, return from last year's team. The wide receivers, led by Landon Beckman and Zayne Wallwork, are back. Expect them to be in the title hunt if they can find a quarterback to lead this dynamic bunch. They return three offensive linemen who started.
5. Prescott Valley Bradshaw Mountain
Stacked, versatile team that should put up a lot of points in the Bears' spread offense with wide receiver Caden Dabney and quarterback Taye Evans expected to have a big season. They'll get challenged in the Grand Canyon region by Kingman Lee Williams and Flagstaff Coconino.
6. Yuma Gila Ridge
The Hawks went 11-2 last year, losing to eventual champion Mica Mountain 31-3 in the 4A semifinals. Quarterback Isaac Soliz threw for 2,455 yards and 33 touchdowns as a junior. Defensive end/outside linebacker Andy Rodriguez had 18 tackles for losses as a junior last year.
7. Phoenix St. Mary's
The Knights boast a big, experienced offensive line and one of the more dynamic passing duos in the state in quarterback Luke Horn and receiver Anthony Cannon, who had 1,300 receiving yards last year. They should be able to run the ball to keep defenses honest with talented tailback Branson Brown.
8. Peoria
With Washington-commit wide receiver Dontay Tyson back, fully healthy, and a strong defense, the Panthers are expected to do better than a 7-3 season. This is a playoff team.
9. ALA West Foothills
They're strong in the trenches, they have skill players who can put teams in a hole with dynamic plays and they've got a strong special teams unit. All three parts of the game appear strong enough to make a push in the 4A playoffs.
10. Sahuarita Walden Grove
Games are won in the trenches and the Red Wolves have what it takes up front to be a playoff team with four returning starters. Watch for these offensive linemen to lead that push: Issac Gonzalez, A.J. Slape, John Todd and Issac Sanchez. Austin McCallister, 6-5, 315, and Tyler Johnson, 6-4, 285, fill out the line.
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Vote. Top 2026 preseason 4A Arizona high school football teams