The world moves too fast these days to allow us much time for reflection, reminiscing or wishful thinking. It’s not what we’ve done, only what we’ve done lately.

Gilbert Christian Knights

It’s not the West Valley’s football festival anymore. Crowds no longer pack Hanhila Stadium at Glendale Community College, as they did in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Saguaro running back D.J. Foster and Chaparral wide receiver Davonte Neal ran wild on opposing defenses last year, putting up eye-popping numbers and leading their teams to state championships. It’s doubtful that any skill player will accumulate statistics approaching those marks this year, but Friday nights certainly won’t lack in star power. A host of offensive standouts return to their teams for another year of high school football. Here are five players who will be worth the price of admission this season:

Junior quarterback Parker Rasmussen, Highland's leader in rushing and passing yards per game last year, will play for Desert Ridge this season, according to Jaguars coach Jeremy Hathcock.

Junior quarterback Parker Rasmussen, Highland's leader in rushing and passing yards per game last year, will play for Desert Ridge this season, according to Jaguars coach Jeremy Hathcock.

Seton Catholic Sentinels

Bentley Crandell had two touchdowns to lead visiting Skyline to a 40-7 victory over host-Kingman, Friday, making Angelo Paffumi a winner in his first game as a head coach.

Nick Farina called it the hardest decision of his life and yet it paled in comparison to the buildup of having to tell Desert Vista baseball coach Stan Luketich about the conclusion of his career on the diamond.

Nick Farina called it the hardest decision of his life and yet it paled in comparison to the buildup of having to tell Desert Vista baseball coach Stan Luketich about the conclusion of his career on the diamond.

With a future blindingly bright from the glare of potential All-American accolades and NFL riches, Ryan Torain is about to begin his senior season at Arizona State.

Nico Bayless’ two-yard rushing touchdown with under a minute to go in the game propelled No. 6 Apollo to a 24-20 win over No. 11 Horizon, Friday, in the first round of the Division II football playoffs.

Paradise Valley knew Cactus Shadows’ quarterback, Bryce Kinsler, was closing in on the Class 4A career passing yardage record, but the Trojans weren’t about to hand it to him on their field.

Poston Butte quarterback Robert Herrera rushed for two touchdowns and defensive back Cameron Owens had an interception return for a touchdown as the Broncos capitalized on a slew of Higley turnovers and penalties to defeat the visiting Knights, 31-23, on Friday.

It could have been the biggest win Tempe Prep history.

Andy Livingston played high school football and was pretty good at it. How good? The Mesa High grad, a gridiron product of the early 1960s, made it into the National Football League while still a teenager.

Jalen Brown, Mountain Pointe: The defensive back had an interception, a fumble recovery late that turned the tide in the Pride’s win over Hamilton and had five catches for 52 yards on offense.

The first official hand off of Super Bowl XLII happened Saturday inside a posh jewelry store in Scottsdale instead of a football field in Glendale.

Luke Rubenzer, Saguaro: The sophomore quarterback carried the Sabercats to a last-second victory against Phoenix Thunderbird, racking up 457 yards of total offense and five touchdowns in a 43-39 come-from-behind victory. Rubenzer finished 22-of-27 for 306 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 151 yards and two touchdowns. He also played safety for Saguaro the entire second half.

Since this is high school football, it figures it was about the math.

CASA GRANDE - Casa Grande waited until it was too late to play some good football Friday night in Campo Verde's 43-12 win.

Campo Verde stuck to the defensive game plan on Friday and beat Tempe, 26-14. The Coyotes (5-2) brought pressure early and often on the Buffaloes dynamic offense, led by quarterback Emanuel Gant.

Both teams led by first-year coaches, Dobson and Westwood entered Friday with plenty of question marks.

One game is in the books, and Red Mountain still has no idea if it has a viable replacement for graduated star Marcus Brantley in the backfield.