• Centennial revved up for another title run

    Centennial revved up for another title run

  • Saguaro football begins its 'drive for five'

    Saguaro football begins its ‘drive for five’

  • Hamilton, Chandler open football practice under different spotlights

    Hamilton, Chandler open football practice under different spotlights

  • Arizona College Prep football laying the foundation

    Arizona College Prep football laying the foundation

  • David Hines tackles high school sports issues

    David Hines tackles high school sports issues

  • High school athlete overcomes homelessness to be three-sport standout

    High school athlete overcomes homelessness to be three-sport standout

  • McClintock HS Football, Bringing back tradition

    McClintock HS Football, Bringing back tradition

  • Chandler Basha football players adjusting to new coach

    Chandler Basha football players adjusting to new coach

  • Chandler football, the team looks locked and loaded

    Chandler football, the team looks locked and loaded

  • Chandler football ready for another title run

    Chandler football ready for another title run

  • Centennial preparing for another big football season

    Centennial preparing for another big football season

  • McClintock's Smith: 'What matters to me is the history of this school'

    McClintock’s Smith: ‘What matters to me is the history of this school’

  • National Signing Day - Arizona recruits on where they will be playing college football

    National Signing Day – Arizona recruits on where they will be playing college football

Rivalries ramp up every year based on success, geography, trophies, families, communities.

Here is a look at my top 10 must-see rivalries for the 2017 season:

No. 1 Mountain Pointe at Chandler, Sept. 8

This isn’t the classic neighborhood rivalry, but these have become the two biggest programs at the top level since 2013. Mountain Pointe beat Chandler 38-14 on its way to a 14-0 championship season in 2013. Chandler beat a depleted Mountain Pointe team in the 2014 semifinals on its way to the state title. Last year, Chandler avenged that ugly 52-7 loss at Mountain Pointe with a 36-17 victory over the Pride in the 6A final. There is no drop-off in either program.

No. 2 Hamilton at Chandler, Oct. 27

Until Saguaro and Chaparral start playing each other again, this is the biggest, most anticipated game in the East Valley. In the last three years, Chandler has dominated a series that was all Hamilton’s before Bryce Perkins made sure the Wolves broke through three years ago. 

No. 3 Mountain Pointe at Desert Vista, Sept. 28

With Desert Vista’s best team since its 2011 championship, this game could break attendance records. Get there early, because parking is sparse at Desert Vista. This is as good as it gets in the Ahwatukee community with talent galore.

No. 4 Liberty at Centennial, Oct. 27

This is the west side’s equivalent to Hamilton-Chandler. A standing-room only crowd with emotions running high in Peoria. Liberty knocked off Centennial two years ago, and Centennial had payback last season. Both teams will be battling for not only west side pride but a 5A championship.

No. 5 Desert Edge at Verrado, Oct. 27

A rivalry began last year when Buckeye Verrado beat the kids from Goodyear Desert Edge for the first time in its history. It came in double overtime and it ruined a perfect regular season for Desert Edge. Verrado has been making huge strides in the past few years and Desert Edge has noticed in 5A.

No. 6 Williams Field at Queen Creek, Oct. 27 

These teams usually meet twice a year — once in the regular-season and again in the playoffs. They did so last year, with Williams Field winning both meetings by scores of 16-9 and 37-12 on its way to its first perfect season and state championship.

No. 7 Higley at Saguaro, Sept. 8 

This is the closest thing to a 4A rivalry for Saguaro, which found little to no competition last season on its way to a 14-0 season and fourth consecutive championship. Higley put up a good fight for a half last year, before getting rolled. Higley feels it has made improvements. And it does return the Gatorade Arizona POY in running back Draycen Hall. Is this the breakthrough season for Higley under Eddy Zubey?

No. 8 Round Valley at Thatcher, Oct. 13

Even though both teams have big pieces to replace, this has become arguably the most entertaining small-school game in the state. These teams battled it out twice last season, including the 2A championship game in which Thatcher got revenge with a 33-28 victory. Round Valley hasn’t lost a region game since 2012. Last year, Round Valley won the regular-season meeting 28-21. Thatcher will have two weeks (with a bye) to get ready for this regular-season encounter.

No. 9 Peoria at Cactus, Sept. 29

In 1986 and ’87, these teams met for the 4A state championship. Both times Peoria won with William Babb at quarterback. Babb is now the head football coach at Peoria, trying to break through against a Cactus team that still has its same coach from those days with Larry Fetkenhier. Last year, Cactus won a 35-28 thriller.

No. 10 Canyon del Oro at Ironwood Ridge, Sept. 8

The Oro Valley Bowl? Something like that. This game brings out the neighbors. Canyon del Oro has won this rivalry game since 2010 and has gotten blown out in the past three meetings. But it brings back running back Elijah Carey, who had 70 yards and a touchdown in last year’s game. 

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