6A Central Football Preview

With all of the drastic realignment and changes the AIA has implemented, we will have a completely new landscape in 2025 for Arizona high school football. I will be previewing each region of the 3 major conferences in the AIA. Starting us off, we have the new 6A central region, which comprises Brophy, Higley, Saguaro, Shadow Ridge and Williams Field.

Brophy Broncos

Starting off with the Brophy Broncos out of Phoenix, the Broncos are returning many star players at the skill positions. The Broncos had a very successful 2024 campaign which saw them ultimately fall short of making the 6A state title game, falling to the Mountain View Toros in a 28-27 thriller in the semifinals. Brophy is led by Air Force commit QB Case Vanden Bosch, who is coming off an impressive junior season campaign. He broke on to the varsity scene with a phenomenal year which saw the young gunslinger throw for 1,773 yards and rush for another 1,054 yards. He was ultimately responsible for 34 touchdowns between the two categories.

The Broncos have a stellar backup QB in Rylan Umphrey, who put up some great numbers in his own right. Most importantly for the Broncos, stud WRs Devin Fitzgerald and Daylen Sharper return for highly anticipated senior campaigns. Sharper recently committed to Stanford, and Fitzgerald, son of Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald, is expected to commit relatively soon. These two receivers are incredibly dynamic and are a reason the Broncos have so much hype going into the 2025 season. One of the more underrated halfbacks in the state is also returning to the Bronco offense, that being Harrison Chambers.

The main question the Broncos have going into the 2025 season is the offensive line, seeing all 5 starters graduate. Do not expect the line play to slow down, however, as the Broncos have multiple D1 offensive linemen, including Shane Reiersgaard and highly touted incoming freshmen Yuen Taufetee. Brophy has more offensive contributors returning including WR Donovan McNabb Jr, and Devin’s brother Jaylen, a TE. Another TE to watch for this season is Brady Powell, who has seen his recruitment take off this season. The senior class on this Bronco defense is also stacked, returning feared pass rusher Bastian Vanden Bosch, lockdown defensive back Deshawn Krein, and hard hitting safety James Pike.

The Broncos also have a stud group of underclassmen on the defense, including speedster DB Ryder Noche, and athletes Julian Ferrari, Xavier Sandhu, and incoming freshmen Bishop Allen. The Broncos are star studded and have high expectations for the upcoming journey, and they should be competing for a chance to play at Mountain America Stadium this December.

Higley Knights

Next, we move on to the boys from Recker and Elliot, the Higley Knights. Higley is a very talented team, coming off an open division appearance at the 5A level. We will see how the Knights transition into the higher division of 6A, but I have no doubt that they will be up to the challenge. Higley is a team of a lot of talented, unproven players who have not had their chance to shine at the varsity level.

The Knights are going to be headlined by QB Gunner Fagrell, who backed up Arizona commit Luke Haugo last season. Fagrell is a very talented gunslinger with a strong arm and great accuracy with poise in the pocket. The main returners for the Knights are star DBs Justice Brathwaite, a BYU commit, and the highly recruited Nas Eason. Higley is looking to make some noise in this division, and they should be able to do so.

All 4 of Higley’s leading receivers and their top 2 leading rushers are gone, so it will be a challenging task to win the region. One player to watch for is JR WR Keegan Pederson, a very shifty and dynamic playmaker. Pederson is one of the most underrated receivers in Arizona, and whoever chooses to recruit him has the potential to find a diamond in the rough. Higley, on the defensive side of the ball, is returning their leading tackler in Jayden Rhodes, an underrated edge rusher. It will be interesting to see how the Knights perform this year.

Saguaro Sabercats

Saguaro is coming off a disastrous season. The Sabercats went a staggering 1-9 last campaign, and they are looking to improve upon that mark this year. Saguaro is going to be headlined by the dynamic duo of QB Marcel Jones and WR Tristan Armstrong. These two have put up good numbers in their young careers so far, including at rival Chaparral before they transferred to Saguaro.

Athletes Kydel Stone and Jaydon Wiseman will play great roles on both sides of the ball this year. Lineman standout Tyler King is also returning for the Cats. Saguaro has a lot of questions hanging over their heads this year, especially after the mass exodus of talent that left after the 2023 6A state title year. Saguaro is looking to get back to former glory seen under former head coach Jason Mohns, who has since departed to accept a position as tight ends coach at Arizona State. How will the Cats adjust to this adversity? Only time will tell.

Shadow Ridge Stallions

This is Mike Zdebski’s second year at the reins with the Stallions, and he is looking to prove himself with a successful season this year. The man under center this year for Shadow Ridge will be Talon Edwards, who threw passes for the Stallions last season.

Many of the top performers on the offensive side of the ball for Shadow Ridge have now graduated, and a lot of younger players will have to step up in big roles for Shadow Ridge. This is easily the team with the most question marks in the region, if not 6A. But in my mind, I know coach Zdebski will work something out to get the Stallions to have a better season than last. Grant Jordan is returning for his senior season on the defensive side of the ball, a much needed leader for this young group. He led the Stallions in tackles last season.

Williams Field Blackhawks

Williams Field is going to be one of the most improved teams this year. They have a star studded offensive attack, headlined by a monstrous offensive line. The line has 3 division 1 commits, including Michigan State commit Collin Campbell, Arizona commit Malachi Joyner, and Idaho commit Omar Kaba.

The QB for the Blackhawks this year will be JR dual threat QB Dom Barjona. The rushing attack will be headlined by San Jose State commit Courshawn Hill and stud tailback Q Skillings. These two will also be joined by one of the fastest receivers in the state, Trey Smith. Two-way stars such as Knolan Tyler and Almasi Glenn II also return for the Blackhawks. They will be joined by DB Sean Boyd. These players all hold division 1 offers, and they will look to help Williams Field return to their former glory of winning state titles.

The Blackhawks will turn a lot of heads this year as they look to dominate their opponents with a ferocious rushing attack. Williams Field will be defined by power and strength on the offensive side and speed and finesse on defense. Williams Field has already gained some traction in the 7on7 and big man competition circuit, only a preview of what is to come on Higley and Williams Field road.