Phoenix Northwest Christian is the latest Arizona high school forced to cancel a football game because of COVID-19 .

The school will not be able to play Phoenix Greenway this Friday night as scheduled because of a positive test from a teacher, which has forced the school’s junior class to remain home this week, according to Athletic Director and head coach David Inness.

This is Week 2 of the Arizona high school football season and already there have been five schools forced to cancel football games because of the pandemic. Four schools cancelled openers last week: Willcox, Gilbert Arte Prep, Scottsdale Chaparral and Cave Creek Cactus Shadows. Replacement games were found for their opponents, except for Saguaro, because Chaparral’s positive came wasn’t detected until Wednesday, two days before playing, and it wasn’t able to find an opponent.

Unlike college programs and the NFL, high schools do not have regular testing in place for coronavirus.

Inness said that no varsity players have shown any signs of the virus, “but, to be safe, we have asked our junior class to stay home this week,” Inness said.

Northwest Christian has in-person instruction. The teacher who contracted the virus teaches juniors.

Inness said that he was hopeful to play Greenway at a later date this season, especially with the schools being only a couple miles apart. But Greenway found a replacement game with Goodyear Esrella Foothills this Friday.

This figured to be the start of a great, natural rivalry with Northwest Christian, the 3A champions two years ago, moving up to 4A for football this year.

Greenway has been a perennial 4A playoff team that this season is led by senior defensive tackle Aaron Gerle, who began his high school career at Northwest Christian. Last week, Gerle reached the all-time Greenway sacks record at 19.5.

“Kids were bummed,” Inness said. “Really wanted to play this week.”

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today