Prep football’s top 5 games to watch

**Friday** Desert Oasis will meet Palo Verde at 6 p.m. in a rematch of the painful 49‑38 loss the Panthers inflicted on them in the 2023 5A Division III South semifinal. Palo Verde has shown modest improvement on paper this season, but fans know that does not guarantee anything. The Panthers, ranked 10th, enter the game 2‑0 after a thrilling 28‑26 road victory over Legacy last week. Senior wide receiver X’Zavier McZeal, one of the state’s top pass‑catchers, must be contained if the ninth‑ranked Diamondbacks (1‑0) hope to pull off an upset. Desert Oasis also enjoyed a big win last week, scoring a late touchdown to edge Sierra Vista 36‑28 in overtime. If the Diamondbacks can sustain that momentum and maximize the production of running back Preston Helsham—who amassed 238 yards and three touchdowns in the previous outing—a high‑scoring shootout could develop, potentially favoring the visitors. Spring Valley travels to Bonanza for a 6 p.m. kickoff. The two squads appear headed in opposite directions, making the Grizzlies the favorite. Dubbed the “Banner Game,” Spring Valley won the meeting last year by a decisive 45‑24 margin. The Grizzlies (1‑0) boast a high‑powered offense featuring junior wide receiver King Kahalewai, who posted 144 receiving yards in a 27‑8 triumph over Durango. Adding a defense that allowed just a single point in the opener creates a favorable outlook for Spring Valley. A Bengals (0‑1) victory would require creativity: winning the turnover battle, executing a strong opening drive, or pulling off a successful early trick play could force Spring Valley to second‑guess itself and shift advantage to Bonanza. Canyon Springs faces Coronado at 7 p.m. Crossing the desert to defeat a California team is rarely simple, yet the Cougars accomplished that feat last week by routing Lancaster 42‑16. Their momentum looks set to continue. Led by running back Matthias Rantissi, who logged 104 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the previous game, Coronado (1‑1) fields a potent, balanced attack eager to exploit a struggling defense. Canyon Springs (0‑1) surrendered 43 points while managing only eight in its loss to Green Valley last week. A turnaround is possible if the Pioneers can slow Coronado’s big‑play offense and limit the unforced mistakes that hampered them earlier. A strong performance from wide receivers Surdemetri Rodgers and Amarion McIntyre‑McCallister would also aid their cause. The Foothill–Spanish Springs clash at 7 p.m. may be the week’s toughest call. Both teams are 1‑0, but the Cougars hold a No. 3 state ranking from MaxPreps while the Falcons sit at No. 13. Spanish Springs will enjoy the home‑field advantage at an elevation of 4,554 feet. The defending 5A state champion Cougars aim to prevail with a big passing attack; quarterback Kanon Boggs threw for 154 yards and four touchdowns in a 35‑7 win over Carson, and wide receiver George Deacon‑Buddy—responsible for all four touchdown receptions—should be his primary target. Foothill counters with a more experienced lineup bolstered by several promising transfers. Junior back Ryder Dobbs may be the key; he passed for 308 yards and four touchdowns in a 42‑8 rout of Basic last week, and a similar effort could push his squad over the top. The Falcons also possess greater depth, and coach Vernon Brown’s strategy of rotating players in and out could prove decisive. **Saturday** Bishop Gorman will take on Columbus (Florida) at 11 a.m. Facing Gorman is always a difficult task, and Columbus knows the challenge well this week. The Gaels toppled previously top‑ranked St. John Bosco of California 38‑28 last week to claim MaxPreps’ national No. 1 spot, and excitement remains elevated. Overconfidence is unlikely to play a role; head coach Brent B