Sunnyslope, Hamilton, Desert Vista are top Arizona contenders for annual NIke TOC on Oct. 22-23.

Individual champions will be crowned on Oct. 23 and team champs in 5A and 4A a couple days earlier as the state badminton season comes to an end this week.

Long-time Valley writer honored before Mountain Pointe football game.

Northwest Christian was methodical offensively pretty much all game Friday night against Yuma Catholic in a battle between the top two teams in the current 2A power-point rankings. Through the first 47 minutes of the game, methodical earned Northwest Christian seven points. So with time running out the Crusaders turned to desperation mode. It worked to perfection. Quarterback Orbi Gonzales hit wide out James Mossbrucker in stride for an 82-yard touchdown pass on a third-and 20 play with 45 seconds left to play to give the Crusaders a 14-10 triumph over the Shamrocks before a huge homecoming crowd at Northwest.

Junior Parker Rasmussen developing into an efficient quarterback. He gets plenty of help from his teammates.

Mike Giovando shows crowd at Shadow Mountain High that there is more to life than football.

The temptation for standout athletes to transfer schools these days is great. The ones that choose not to do so deserve credit and admiration. Kelvin Fisher is one.

North Canyon QB Dominic Portocarrero is the latest casualty.

More and more football players from Arizona high schools are finding their way to the NFL and top colleges.

Victory at Conley Invitational sets stage for Chinle runner to earn a possible third straight state title.

After struggling early and overcoming injuries. Betty H. Fairfax playing well under coach Kevin Belcher.

Region races are important because everyone wants bragging rights as region champ. But to teams that got off to a slow start or have almost exclusively region games the rest of the way they are the lifeline to extending the football season to at least Veteran\\\'s Day. Gilbert High fits the above description. The Tigers, who dropped their first three games this season, have bounced back to win three of their last four. They had region foe Basha on the ropes in their loss during the past four-game stretch for a little better than a half before the wheels came off after intermission. The Tigers have been forced into playoff mode ever since.

Win in championship match of Goldwater tourney gives Vikings momentum as they aim for third straight 4A-I title.

Jerry Kopke has been keeping the numbers straight for more than 50 years.

Despite tumble in Doug Conley meet, Jorge Martinez remains on course for third straight Class 5A-I title.

Presenting your team with a measuring stick is a good idea, especially if you have an up-and-coming football program like Steve Campbell and Williams Field. The Black Hawks measuring stick last year and Friday night is Notre Dame, a fledgling program itself not too long ago that has two state titles to its credit in less than a decade.

Lashunn Norris ran for 334 yards and three touchdowns as Cobras knocked Washington from the unbeaten ranks.

Sportsmanship is an important element of the Friday night experience.

It is not easy for athletes to follow in the footsteps of a successful sibling. For Cory Breinholt, he has experienced a double helping of that pie. Breinholt, a senior completing his fourth varsity season running cross country at Highland High, watched brothers Craig and Derek achieve at a high level in the sport. Craig, who ran from 2002-2004, was the individual state champ in 5A his senior year (2004). Derek peaked at No. 3 in the state his senior season (2007) and collected three top-10 finishes overall at state.

Eagles keep their composure in rallyiing for a 28-16 win over Boulder Creek.

Junior quarterback Jonathan Brown serves as a dual threat as team plays its region schedule.