Arizona’s top high school football players: Meet the state’s best ‘athletes’

Who are the top 'athletes' in Arizona this season?

We’re taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Arizona high school football. This list focuses on the 'athletes.' 

There are hundreds of standout football players in Arizona and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive! Let us know about any other 'athletes' you think should be added. 

Note: All statistics and information through Oct. 4 

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Jaxson Banhie, sr., Salpointe Catholic 

The undisputed team leader for Class 6A power Salpointe Catholic, Banhie gets it done at running back and safety. The senior has run for 399 yards and nine touchdowns this season while averaging four tackles per game on defense.

Shamar Berryhill, jr., Sabino

Berryhill is a Swiss Army knife for Sabino who excels at wide receiver, outside linebacker and strong safety. A three-star junior, Berryhill holds an offer from Arizona. He has 710 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns this year.

Nikko Boncore, jr., Cactus 

One of the most dangerous receiving threats in Class 5A, Boncore has 50 catches for 637 yards and seven touchdowns this season. The junior also has four career interceptions on defense as a cornerback and is the team’s punter and kick returner.

Kanyon Floyd, sr., Horizon

Floyd, a three-star punting prospect who is committed to Arizona State, is averaging 63 yards per kickoff and 47.2 yards per punt this season. He is also a weapon on fake punts with a strong throwing arm and can even be a factor at free safety.

Maddox Ford, jr., Perry

Ford has gotten plenty of work at running back during his Perry career, but the junior is really shining as a linebacker this season. He has 35 total tackles (nine for loss), 6.5 sacks, an interception and two fumble recoveries through six games.

Aundre Gibson, sr., Desert Edge

Gibson has scored three touchdowns on offense this season while breaking up seven passes on defense. The three-star Kansas commit has five career interceptions and is slated to play cornerback at the next level.

Darius Haskin, sr., Buckeye 

Haskin has thrown for a touchdown, rushed for four TDs and caught 40 passes for 586 yards and nine scores as a senior. He has also returned a kickoff, punt and interception to the end zone this season.

Jimmy Leon, jr., Mica Mountain

Leon is a two-way standout at tight end and defensive end for Class 4A Mica Mountain. The junior has scored three offensive touchdowns this season while recording nine sacks on defense. Leon holds an offer from Arizona State.

Elijah Little, jr., Thunderbird

A dynamic player on both sides of the ball, Little is averaging 9.4 yards per carry this season. He has run for 801 yards and 12 touchdowns while breaking up seven passes with a forced fumble on defense.

Josh Morales, sr., Paradise Honors

One of the top receiving targets of record-breaking quarterback Gage Baker, Morales has 1,598 career receiving yards and 29 touchdowns. The senior has also intercepted a pair of passes this season.

Jeremiah Newcombe, sr., Casteel 

A four-star cornerback prospect, Newcombe committed to Oklahoma in March. He is also a dangerous threat at wide receiver for Casteel who caught 35 passes for 516 yards and five touchdowns last season.

Josh Orozco, jr., Desert Heights Prep

An eight-man football star for Desert Heights Prep, Orozco is leading the state in receiving yards at 901 with nine touchdowns. The junior is also averaging 11.6 tackles per game on defense and nearly 20 yards per kickoff return.

McKy Peters, sr., Mesa

Peters has found the end zone seven times as a senior to go with 497 yards of total offense (333 rushing, 164 receiving). On defense, Peters is averaging 8.5 tackles per game as a linebacker. 

Dezmen Roebuck, sr., Marana

Roebuck is a monster in all three phases of the game for Marana. The three-star junior is averaging 146.8 yards receiving per game this season with six touchdowns while also tallying three interceptions on defense.

Christian Sanabria, sr., Camp Verde

Sanabria is averaging nearly 20 yards per reception this season and has caught 11 touchdowns. He is also a standout defensive back who has six career interceptions and 15 pass breakups. On special teams, Sanabria is Camp Verde’s punter and punt returner.

Tyton Slade, sr., American Leadership Academy Gilbert North

Slade has 11 career interceptions, including nine during his junior season. He is also a standout on offense with 1,423 career receiving yards and 26 total touchdowns.

Jakobi Spence, sr., Saguaro

Spence is a playmaker at wide receiver and cornerback for Saguaro. A three-star recruit, Spence’s offers include Washington, Nevada and UNLV.

Sir Stokes, jr., Yuma Catholic

A dominant force for Class 4A contender Yuma Catholic, Stokes splits his time between wide receiver and defensive back. The junior has 442 receiving yards and five touchdowns this season while picking off three passes on defense.

Dylan Tapley, sr., Desert Mountain

Tapley is a difference-maker on both sides of the ball for Desert Mountain with 33 career receiving touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He is a three-star prospect who will play college football for Arizona State.

Kenny Worthy, sr., Centennial

Worthy also plays baseball for Centennial, but he is at his best on the football field as a weapon at wide receiver and cornerback. A three-star recruit, Worthy will play college football in a to-be-determined conference for Washington State. 

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-- Bob Lundeberg | @sblivesports