By: AIA365 Reporter Jake Novy

In one of the most anticipated early matchups of the season, two of the top teams in Division Two square off on Friday evening as the Marcos de Niza Padres host the Chaparral Firebirds.  Chaparral, led by head coach Charlie Ragle, stumbled out of the gates against Las Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman at University of Phoenix Stadium in its opener, however, the Firebirds rebounded nicely by squeaking out a 22-21 victory over Tucson Salpointe last weekend.  Meanwhile, head coach Roy Lopez guided his Padres to a 56-6 beat down of Notre Dame Prep in their season-opener last Friday night to start their campaign off on a dominant note.

Chaparral and Marcos de Niza have a brief but fiery blossoming rivalry.  The Firebirds edged the Padres, 34-21, in the 2009 state championship and to make things even more interesting for this year’s tilt, the two teams had a brief scuffle during a summer passing league game where both sidelines rushed the field and the team’s coaches had to step in and break up the little melee.  Not that either team needs any extra motivation, but bragging rights and certainly the top spot in Division Two will be on the line when the Padres and Firebirds clash this Friday night at Marcos de Niza High School.