The Arizona Interscholastic Association has announced that it will base its postseason football power ratings on the latest MaxPreps rankings, a move designed to tighten the link between regular‑season performance and playoff seeding.
Seth Polanksy, the AIA’s director of media services, has spent several years negotiating with the ranking platform, pushing for a system that could deliver reliable data before the tournament deadline.
With the new arrangement, MaxPreps now compiles its rankings as soon as member schools submit their game results, giving the AIA a timely snapshot that can be used to seed teams with confidence.
Southern Arizona Power Rankings
Coaches in the southern part of the state are already feeling the impact of the revised rankings. Pat Ryden, who leads the top‑rated Salpointe program, watches his team prepare for the upcoming season with a clear sense of where they stand.
Jeffrey Bollnow’s Tanque Verde Hawks sit at No. 8 among 2A schools, while Kent Middleton’s Pusch Ridge Lions are positioned No. 5 in the 3A tier. Jay Campos’ Mica Mountain Thunderbolts, the defending 4A champions, are ranked No. 3, and Robert Bonillas’ Desert View squad holds the No. 14 spot in 5A, hoping to improve on last year’s quarterfinal run.
The updated power ratings are expected to streamline the selection process and give coaches across Arizona a clearer roadmap as they shape their schedules and target playoff berths.