One more practice. One more sleepless night. One final step into the great unknown. Today means all of those things for the nine East Valley schools that open their football season Friday.
East Valley schools will fan out all over the state. From Lakeside, where Fountain Hills takes on defending 3A state champion Blue Ridge, to Snowflake, where Coolidge travels, and even Mayer, where Tempe Prep plays Orme.
The season hits full stride Sept. 2 when all the East Valley’s teams will be in action.
The Tribune’s prep football coverage area is expanding this season, with more teams and more games.
Beginning Sept. 2, the most extensive prep football section in Arizona, Varsity Xtra, will appear in both Friday’s and Saturday’s editions of the Tribune.
Prep football openers
Friday (7 p.m.)
Apache Junction at Desert Edge Fountain Hills at Blue Ridge Hayden at Maricopa Notre Dame at Cortez Pinnacle at Independence Estrella Foothills at Florence Coolidge at Snowflake Tempe Prep at Orme Fort Thomas at Canyon St. Academy
Saturday
Chaparral at Coconino, 1 p.m. Pusch Ridge at Scotts. Christian, 7 p.m.
