HS football: 10 key story lines

The monsoon season officially came to an end this week, but there are plenty of storms brewing on the high school football scene.

Some will end up being nothing but a lot of wind because of an easy non-region schedule. Other games will open the floodgates to second-guessing because of a decision on a final drive.

And the climate will get really interesting when there is an upset or two – think Gilbert Highland 37, Chandler Hamilton 15 in 2004 – that rips the season's foundation from a contender.

The thing about monsoon storms is how they can appear suddenly without much notice. Those dark skies roll up and deluge begins.

It works the same on the football field; all is fine until that change of momentum wreaks havoc. Here is a look The Republic's “forecast” of what to expect for this week's set of games.

All hail, Hall: The most dynamic athlete in the state just might reside in the Old Pueblo. Tucson Palo Verde's Adam Hall is 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds. He's seems to fall into that “freak” category in that he can do extraordinary things on the football field that has led to 15 touchdowns, scored six different ways in five games. The wide receiver, who has an offer from Southern California, scored four touchdowns in the first quarter last week. Took a seat and returned for the second half kickoff and he took it back for the score to give him five in the game. He'll try to outdo himself at Douglas this week.

Trend or coincidence? As quick as No. 1 Scottsdale Notre Dame (4-0) has risen to a top program, it always struggles against Phoenix Washington. Notre Dame, which played its first varsity season in 2004, is 0-3 against Washington (2-3), including its only defeat last year (21-19) on the way to the Class 4A Division II state title. That little tidbit might not be Scot Bemis' first sentence in his pre-game speech in the visitor's locker room, but it won't be far off.

Going through progressions: Tempe coach John Rodriguez's influence is being felt this year, his third with the program, and the 3-1 start is a pleasant surprise. The good feelings were tempered with the loss lopsided to Tempe McClintock. Now, Tempe can start the 4A-II East Sky Region with a big win over defending champion Queen Creek. It's time to find out if Tempe's start was real or a matter of playing a favorable schedule.

Biggie in Tucson: The game of the week down south is easy to pinpoint as Vail Cienega (3-1) and Tucson Canyon del Oro (4-1) square off. Both of these teams are about 1 minute of combined game time from being undefeated, losing in the last minute to Valley powers. Cienega's senior quarterback Seth Mejias-Brean is as accurate as they come, while CDO's defense brings the pressure (16 sacks) and loves to ball hawk (5 interceptions).

The first of many: Gilbert Perry (3-0) and Gilbert Williams Field (0-3) will be forever linked. Hard to get away from each other when you are just four miles apart. The schools were erected the same year and the football programs were started at the same time. This is the first time they meet at the varsity level in what should be a natural rivalry. So who will be the first one to grab some momentum in this series?

The Game: After a six-year hiatus Peoria and Glendale Cactus got reacquainted last year. They enter this week's game undefeated and ranked No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, in 4A Division I. It not only features the emotions of the one best rivalries, but two of the most explosive running backs in the state with Peoria's Jamal Miles and Cactus' Mike Brown. Whoever gets the last carry just might break free for the win.

Featured game: The Cox 7 Game of the Week lost some luster when Phoenix Desert Vista's Devon Kennard's season ended, but Peoria Centennial is still at full strength. Centennial has been the state's best team so far and has a chance to show it in prime time, while Desert Vista's players want to prove all is not lost without Kennard in a Class 5A non-division game.

Eight is enough: No. 1 Mogollon (5-0) and No. 2 Pima (5-0) meet in a 1A non-region game that could be a preview of state title game at Apache Junction. Both squads score in the 60-point range weekly, which is easier in eight-man football but still impressive. Being a defensive coordinator in this one is about as fun as watching your 401K nest egg being cracked open and fired.

East powers: Every week in the 3A East Region there is a marquee match up or two. This go around has Snowflake (4-1) and No. 4 Eagar Round Valley (4-1) squaring off. Snowflake played its first competitive game of the year last week and lost by a score to Thatcher. The only loss Round Valley, led by quarterback Hayden Eagar's moxie and arm, suffered was a 35-32 barnburner to 2A defending champ St. John. Snowflake best hope it's not a one-score game at the end and Eagar has the ball in his hands.

Streaking: No. 1 Scottsdale Saguaro's win streak has reached 23 straight after a 4-0 start. Getting to 24 isn't going to come easy at No. 3 Phoenix Paradise Valley (4-0) in the Class 4A-I Desert Sky region, but a win would put Saguaro four away from tying Scottsdale Chaparral's 4A mark of 28. If the Saguaro wins out, it will reach 29. Of course, Chaparral looms on Oct. 17.