Former Red Mountain coach and current San Tan Foothills assistant Jim Jones is expected to be Mesquite's new football coach.

Pinnacle advanced to the semifinals of the Nike Tournament of Champions on Thursday with a 70-57 win over Salesian High School (CA) at Basha High School.

These are simpler times for Jim Jones.

By Tuesday night, both Gilbert and Mesquite high schools were expected to have finalized their respective football coaches in Tim Rutt (Gilbert) and Jim Jones (Mesquite).

Jim Jones heard a lot of “Why?” and “Are you crazy?” from his large family (among others), but it went in one ear and out the other.

Combs Coyotes

These are simpler times for Jim Jones.

Matt Winkler earned his sixth shutout of the season, while seniors Ulises Sanchez, Andrew Christianson and Jose Avila all scored their first goals of the season as the Mesa boys soccer team defeated McClintock, 5-0, on Friday night.

The Higley, Gilbert, Queen Creek and Florence school districts were forced to add classes and hire extra teachers after the start of the school year because of unexpected student growth.

Red Mountain High School has submitted a name to the human resources department of the Mesa Unified School District for its new football coach and could be ready to offer the job as early as Friday.

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce thanks the many volunteers who assisted us in putting together this year’s Red, White and Boom Fireworks Celebration. These volunteers give up their family time for the good of the community and we are grateful for their help. Presented by Vision Community Management at the Ahwatukee Country Club, the chamber is proud to continue this 37-year Ahwatukee tradition.

Poston Butte Broncos

Some parents may be wondering how to keep their young child’s time occupied with summer on its way.

This is Week 9 of the high school football season, normally the time of year for slide rulers, calculators, mathematicians and prognosticators rule the roost. Schools and fans try and guess whether kids will be playing playoff football, and what has to happen or not happen for that to become a reality.

Here are the top storylines heading into the fourth week of the season:

Tax cuts. Efficient government. Responsible spending. I believe profoundly in these priorities we typically hear from candidates running as Republicans. But serving as a Republican doesn't mean you serve only Republicans. My constituents are made up of all political persuasions.

Most people believe bigger isn’t always better: Cars, cameras, music players, computers, phones, even clothes.

Get ready for a weird football season.

Get ready for a weird football season.

Area football players were snubbed on the All-Arizona team voted on by the football coaches association.

Many of the faces are changed, but that giant target remains on the Valley Christian football program.