Vote. Republic's preseason 5A top 10 Arizona HS football teams

The Arizona high school football season starts for small-school conferences (3A, 2A and 1A) on Aug. 20, 21 and 22. It starts for big schools (6A, 5A, 4A) on Aug. 27-29.

Here are The Arizona Republic's preseason top 10 high school football teams in 5A. Vote in our poll below for the team you think should be No. 1. Print readers can find the poll online with this story at azcentral.com/sports/high-schools.

Other conferences:1A | 2A | 3A | 4A

Preseason top 10 5A football teams

1. Goodyear Desert Edge

If 5A was part of the Open, the Scorpions would legitimately be in the mix to chase the ultimate high school football state trophy. But 5A is not. And the rest of the conference is going to have to deal with this beast of a program that has Division I college football offers at almost every position.

2. Scottsdale Desert Mountain

The Wolves are the defending 5A champions who bring back a wealth of talent. The offense should be potent. The defense creates turnovers. And coach Conrad Hamilton is among the best at game planning. Watch for these guys to get back to the final.

3. Phoenix Horizon

This is a tough, well-coached team with Tyson Ditmore at the helm that has a strong offensive line and enough game changers on defense to make for another stellar year for the Northeast Valley Region, which is arguably the toughest in 5A.

4. Goodyear Millennium

Don't sleep on this team with running back D'Mari Bryant returning to run behind one of the biggest and best offensive lines in 5A.

5. ALA Gilbert North

The Eagles have one of the best coaches in Ty Detmer, and he'll only build off of last year's 11-2 season with quarterback Ben Livingston looking to improve after passing for 2,570 yards and 35 touchdowns last season. And Weston Powell is back after rushing for 866 yards and 11 TDs.

6. Phoenix Mountain Pointe

The Pride has one of the most athletic teams in the state with outstanding receiver and defensive back rooms. Watch for LeGarrette Blount Jr. and Aiden Rodriguez to have monster seasons.

7. Cave Creek Cactus Shadows

The Falcons might have one of the best defenses in 5A, led by a strong linebacker corps with the transfer move of Gunnar Perry from Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep. And the offense should be able to score points, despite graduating QB Donivan Dixon.

8. Marana

The Tigers come into the season dealing with the loss of star receiver Sean Roebuck Jr., after he suffered serious injuries in a car crash and is continuing his recovery. He was the team's heart and soul. But coach Phillip Steward will find ways to motivate a team that opens the season against a strong 6A Tucson Salpointe Catholic team.

9. Gilbert Campo Verde

The Coyotes have one of the best quarterbacks in the state in Jonah Lubno, a dual threat who has committed to Utah. If the defense can play to its potential, this is a deep playoff team.

10. Glendale Cactus

The Cobras always peak late in the season under coach Brian Belles, who does a masterful job getting his team to play to their potential. Running back/defensive back Donta Sutton, a fourth-year starter, will be all over the field, making plays.

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. Republic's preseason 5A top 10 Arizona HS football teams