Two-thirds of the state football title-game competitors this weekend in the Open Division, 6A, 5A, 4A, 3A and 2A have at least one championship trophy in their case and as many as seven in the AIA-sanctioned era (1959 forward).

The Open Division combatants on Saturday have each had their runs. Hamilton tops the list with the most titles of those competing in 2020 with seven 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012. At present it's the Chandler High era in big school football. Five titles for the Wolves starting in 2014 and continuing with a four-peat 2016-2019 as they close in on the Huskies for most coronations. Hamilton leads the all-time series 18-9, but the Wolves have won eight in a row and nine of the last 10. Their meeting this week is only the second for a state title.

Chaparral and Santa Cruz Valley are next with six apiece. Chaparral's crowns have been captured in the modern era (1999, 2000, 2002, 2009-2011) jockeying between 4A and 5A. Santa Cruz Valley owns a half dozen between 1965 and 1980. All were in 3A. The years are 1965, 1966, 1969, 1978-1980 so there's a dry spell for the Dust Devils. The catalysts to title runs in the 1960s were a pair of brother acts - the Malones, Art and Ben, who went on to play at ASU and in the NFL and the Cades, Mike and Mossy, in the late 70s. The Dust Devils are in the midst of a 40-year title drought.

Snowflake is somewhat parched as well, albeit with five titles to its credit - all between 1986 and 1993. Those occurred in bunches - 1986, 1988 and 1991-1993.

Yuma Catholic has emerged in the last 15 years as a contender almost yearly with three titles in 2A (2011, 2013 and 2014), The Shamrocks haven't won a 3A crown yet.

Cactus has been in business for 35 years with plenty of wins and two titles - 2005 and 2009. Mesquite garnered its first title last year taking the 4A title over Desert Edge and has returned to defend vs. the Cobras on Friday. 

That leaves Highland, Ironwood, Sunrise Mountain and Benson aching for their first title. One school for sure will win a title its initial title by late Friday night with Ironwood and Sunrise Mountain meeting for the 5A title. Ironwood has been to a final three times, losing in 1995, 1996 and 2002. Sunrise Mountain is making its first appearance since the school began playing varsity in 1998.

This Saturday is Highland's first title-game appearance. The Hawks have reached the semis several times - most notably in its infancy in 1994 losing to Peoria and bowing most recently to Chandler in 2018.

Benson will be making its third trip to a title game - all in 2A. The Bobcats fell short in 1994 and 2015.