{EMBED_VIDEO_20a0ab2c-8319-4588-9e4f-63100d562203}Video: Early Contenders - No. 17 Chandler (AZ)
See how MaxPreps unveiled the No. 17 team in the preseason rankings.


1. Chandler
Coach: Shaun Aguano
2014 finish: 14-0
Team preview

Finally sporting championship rings, the Wolves are more confident than ever and it is for good reason. Chase Lucas and N'keal Harry are explosive offensive weapons with first-year quarterback Mason Moran at the helm. The defense will be stout behind Kyree Woods and K.T. Tilini. Chandler, which opens the season at No. 17 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25, enters as the Arizona favorite, but will be tested nationally on a visit to Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) on Aug. 29.

See the Top 14 teams with the most all-time Arizona state titles

2. Centennial (Peoria)
Coach: Richard Taylor
2014 finish: 12-2
Team preview

The Coyotes, who have been a state power in Division II (and Class 5A DII before that), make the jump to the big school circles. Coach Taylor has said on several occasions that he is worried that depth will be a problem and could have Centennial struggling to keep up with the bigger D-I programs. Chances are there will be a better feel for Centennial's place after the first three games, as the Coyotes take on Long Beach Poly (Calif.), Saguaro and Basha to start the year.

See the MaxPreps national football videos page

3. Hamilton (Chandler)
Coach: Steve Belles
2014 finish: 12-2
Team preview

The Huskies have made seven straight D-I finals, winning four times, so chances are by the end of the season the Huskies will be there again. They have lost three times to Chandler the last two years. That's what has this team focused and ready to get back into the title game yet again.

See the MaxPreps Arizona football photos page

4. Saguaro (Scottsdale)
Coach: Jason Mohns
2014 finish: 14-0
Team preview

The Sabercats have a new home, as the small-school dynasty moves up to Division II. Saguaro has won the state title in seven of the last nine years regardless of the classification (D-III and Class 4A D-I). Now Saguaro will be one of the smaller schools in D-II, but has the talent to overwhelm every team it comes across in 2015 behind Karé Lyles, Kayden Lyles and Byron Murphy.

See last season's Arizona football computer rankings

5. Brophy College Prep (Phoenix)
Head Coach: Scooter Molander
2014 finish: 10-4
Team preview

The Broncos returned to form last year after a rare losing record and the talent is back – running back Ryan Velez and quarterback Cade Knox – to get back to championship form if it all comes together.

Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona Republic and current Prep Sports Director for 1013 Communications, is a 20-year sports writing veteran. Contact him at jskoda1024@aol.com.