Arizona high school football Week 1 schedule, picks

The Week 1 schedule for Arizona high school football has been announced, with games taking place on August 20 and 22. Richard Obert, the state's high school sports reporter, has shared his picks for the matches. All games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m., with a few exceptions.

On August 20, Thatcher will take on Ala Ironwood, while Heritage Academy from Maricopa faces Gateway in Phoenix. North Gilbert Christian will play against Vistancia, and San Tan Charter will host Apache Junction. Lakeside Blue Ridge will battle Chinle, and Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin will take on El Mirage. Dysart will host Fountain Hills, and Tohatchi from New Mexico will play against Ganado.

The 3A Conference games include matchups such as Heritage Academy Maricopa against Heritage Academy Gateway, Scottsdale Coronado versus Sierra Vista, and Globe against Whiteriver Alchesay. Tuba City will host Alchesay, and Payson will face Fountain Hills. Tohatchi will visit Ganado, and Kingman will play against Page. Queen Creek Crismon will host Mohave Valley, and River Valley Coolidge will take on Eloy.

On August 22, Tucson Pusch Ridge will host San Tan Foothills, while Scottsdale Coronado will face Sierra Vista again. Globe will play against Whiteriver Alchesay once more, and Tuba City will host Alchesay. Chino Valley will host Phoenix Ariz Lutheran, and Bisbee will take on Benson. San Pasqual will face Phoenix Bourgade Catholic, and Tucson Santa Rita will play against Tucson CATALINA Prep.

Pinecrest Acad-Cadence will take on Desert Star Pinon, and Greyhills Academy Madison will battle Highland Prep. Lincoln Prep will host Highland Prep West, and Parker will take on Needles in California.

The 2A Conference games include Scottsdale Coronado against Sierra Vista, Globe versus Whiteriver Alchesay, and Tuba City against Alchesay. San Manuel will take on Phoenix Valley Lutheran. Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic.