Week 2 is ready to ramp up with great games across the state and one in California.

Here is a look at 10 intriguing Arizona high school football story lines.

No. 1 Getting defensive

Chandler (1-1) at Phoenix Pinnacle (2-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

This is the middle of a brutal stretch for the top-ranked Chandler Wolves, who then have to play No. 2 Phoenix Mountain Pointe next week. No. 4 Pinnacle has QB Spencer Rattler and his main targets, physical receivers Hayden and Hogan Hatten, lighting up scoreboards. But now the Pioneers have a defense that could give Chandler trouble after the Wolves lost QB Jacob Conover to a sprained shoulder late in the first half in Saturday’s 27-14 loss to No. 2 nationally ranked IMG Academy. Bill Bolger is expected to make the start at QB for Chandler, as Conover rehabs. 

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No. 2 Protecting turf

Salt Lake City East (1-1) at Scottsdale Saguaro (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m.

Saguaro plays its first game on its new synthetic turf, which should make the Sabercats faster. They just want to make sure they don’t give up another 50 points after losing in Nevada to Liberty 51-20 last week. This is a tough home-field debut against the two-time defending Utah champion that is smarting after a lopsided loss to Bingham dropped East out of the USA TODAY Sports Top 25.

RELATED: Full schedule of games for Week 2 in Arizona

No. 3 Impressive start

Scottsdale Desert Mountain (2-0) at Scottsdale Notre Dame (2-0, Friday, 7 p.m.

Both schools are off to impressive starts, especially Desert Mountain, which began last season 0-6, before winning its final four. Junior QB Kedon Slovis is taking advantage of talented receiver Josh Walker (14 catches, 226 yards, three TDs) and is leading the state with 674 yards and a 141.3 passer rating after two games.

RELATED: Top performers from Week 1 action

No. 4 Title rematch

Tucson Sabino (2-0) at Queen Creek American Leadership (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m.

American Leadership broke new ground last year when it beat Sabino for the 3A title, becoming the state’s first charter school to capture an AIA state football championship. There have been some big parts that ALA had to replace this year and that showed up in last week’s loss to Tucson Pusch Ridge Academy. Sabino still has loads of athletes as new coach Ryan McBrayer, a former Sabino player, keeps the program humming.

RELATED: Updated high school football rankings (through Aug. 26)

No. 5 Road trip

Phoenix Mountain Pointe (1-0) vs. West Hills (Calif.) Chaminade (1-0), at Mission Viejo, Thursday, 7 p.m.

This will be good for Mountain Pointe to play a quality California opponent on the road to see where it is, before having to tackle Chandler next week in a rematch of year’s 6A final. Mountain Pointe is well-rested after having last week off. Chaminade is coming off a 47-10 rout of Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian. Ryan Stevens threw for 310 yards and two TDs, so he’ll test Mountain Pointe’s fast secondary, led by Kenny Churchwell.

RELATED: Title games for 6A, 5A, 4A will be in Tucson

No. 6 Resurgences

Gilbert (1-0) at Gilbert Campo Verde (2-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

Maybe this is the year Gilbert (1-9 in 2016) puts together a winning season. It has the quarterback, senior Jack Plummer, who can make it happen. The Purdue commit looked sharp in his season debut, throwing for 351 yards and five TDs in a 49-34 win over Gilbert Mesquite. Campo Verde put up nearly 50 points on each of its first two opponents. It might have to try to outscore the Tigers with Plummer on fire.

RELATED: Last week’s scoreboard

No. 7 Rematch in 8-man

Bagdad (2-0) at Williams (1-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

Bagdad coach Dalton Mills gushed about how loaded Williams was and it should be the top-ranked team in 1A. But Bagdad hasn’t loosened its grip on No. 1 behind QB Israel Loveall, who had a big game last week, ending the top California 8-man team’s 31-game winning streak. Williams still remembers last year’s 1A final, losing to Bagdad 60-6 with Loveall throwing for 400 yards and five TDs.

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No. 8 Lawson’s return

Chandler Hamilton (1-1) at Mesa Red Mountain (0-1), Friday, 7 p.m.

All-Arizona all-purpose player Lance Lawson missed Red Mountain’s opener two weeks ago against Chandler with an ankle sprain. Healed up, Lawson may not leave the field against a Hamilton team that has shown vulnerability against the run. Lawson will line up at tailback, slot back, wide receiver and should make his presence felt on defense at safety.

No. 9 Run, run

Safford (2-0) at Thatcher (2-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

This game could take less than two hours to play the way both teams like to run. Both play great defense. Safford, a 3A team, has yet to allow a point and will ride the blocks of 6-foot-3, 315-pound senior tackle Ralph Frias. Thatcher, the defending 2A champ, keeps it simple and dares defenses to stop it.

No. 10 Ground control

Wickenburg (1-0) at Parker (0-1), Friday, 7 p.m.

This is the battle for The Axe, one of the state’s best rivalries. Even though Parker is in 2A and Wickenburg in 3A now, this game brings out the best in the players and the community. Big crowds show up. Wickenburg will try to control the clock with a devastating ground attack led by Alejandro Carrasco and Kegan Lindsay, who both ran for more than 150 yards last week against Holbrook.

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. Watch azcentral sports high school football Facebook live every Wednesday at 7 p.m.