SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (July 24, 2026) – Recognizing the top high school football student-athletes in Arizona, Fiesta Sports Foundation has announced its third annual Fiesta Bowl All-State Football and Flag Football Teams. The 50 student-athletes were selected in a voting process led by a dedicated committee of coaches, media, Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) staff and Fiesta Sports Foundation representatives.

The 29 boys and 21 girls will be recognized at the UMB Bank Fiesta Sports Foundation Football Kickoff presented by Fairmont Scottsdale Princess on Friday, August 21. This year's keynote speakers are past Oklahoma State Head Coach Mike Gundy and past Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick, who will bring their perspectives from decades spent at the highest levels of college football to Arizona's premier college football kickoff experience.

"Arizona continues to elevate its standing as one of the country's premier proving grounds for high school football talent. This year's All-State Team honorees, many of whom have already committed to the nation's top programs, reflect the best of the best within our state and set the standard for others," said Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director & CEO Erik Moses. "It's really special to celebrate these 50 outstanding football student-athletes at the Football Kickoff experience, alongside two of college football's influential leaders in Mike Gundy and Jack Swarbrick, as we celebrate the start of the 2026 football season."

A total of 16 different schools have players on the 29-player boys tackle All-State Team, led by 2025 AIA Open Champion Basha's six selections. On the 21-member flag football All-State Team, there are also 16 different schools represented, including Highland leading the way with three players.

Three student-athletes have been named to the All-State team in each of the program's three years since its 2024 launch – Basha teammates Noah Roberts (RB) and Jake Hildebrand (OL), along with Casa Grande flag standout wide receiver Kayla Tacker. Eight additional honorees earned their second-straight honor, including Basha kicker Mikey Barth and Brophy's Ryder Noche in boys tackle and flag football stars Marlie Phillips (now at Liberty after winning a state title at Hamilton), Campo Verde's Amaya Moreno and Claire McMahon, Eastmark's Kinsley McCarty, Hamilton's Demi Woods and Mountain View's Ginny Wilson.

"Fiesta Sports Foundation's All-State teams have become one of the most meaningful ways we recognize the depth of football talent in high schools all across the state of Arizona," said Dr. Jim Dean, AIA Executive Director. "In both tackle and flag football, Arizona is becoming well-known for the caliber of our student-athletes on the field and how they represent themselves off the field. Our partnership with Fiesta Sports Foundation highlights the accomplishments of our student-athletes, schools and coaches."

This year's boys tackle team features several student-athletes turning heads on the college recruiting trail. Roberts, one of the state's top-ranked prospects, is committed to Texas, while Basha teammates Hildebrand and Barth have both committed to Arizona State. Chandler's Will Mencl is the nation's top-ranked quarterback and headed to Oregon with Wolves wide receiver Jai Jones going to Wisconsin, Hamilton's Roye Oliver III will play at USC, Desert Edge's Zerek Sidney committed to Washington, Centennial offensive lineman Benjamin Lowther will sign with Stanford and Desert Edge defensive back Mikyal Davis committed to Oklahoma – a testament to the level of talent within this year's All-State Team class.

The UMB Bank Fiesta Sports Foundation Football Kickoff returns to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess for the third consecutive year, once again bringing the sights, sounds and spirit of college football gameday to life, while benefiting Fiesta Sports Foundation Wishes for Teachers, the largest statewide program providing direct support to teachers across Arizona.
 
2026 Fiesta Bowl All-State Football Team

QB: Will Mencl (Chandler)
RB: Noah Roberts (Basha), D'Mari Bryant (Millennium)
WR: Jai Jones (Chandler), Roye Oliver III (Hamilton), Zerek Sidney (Desert Edge)
TE: Talan Scott (ALA Queen Creek)
OL: Jake Hildebrand (Basha), Tye Kennedy (Mountain View), Benjamin Lowther (Centennial), Sire Stewart (Chandler), DaJohn Yarborough (Basha)
DL: Jalanie George (Desert Edge), Derrick LeBlanc Jr. (Hamilton), Tiki Teeples (Canyon View), Landen Wade (Basha)
LB: Marc Duerson III (Basha), Gunnar Perry (Cactus Shadows), Dax White (Higley)
DB: Mikyal Davis (Desert Edge), Jaelyn Easterling-Flores (Desert Edge), Nasim Eason (Higley), Keaton Fields (Hamilton)
Athlete: Kingston Anetema (Mesa), Aidan Whitaker (McClintock)
Kicker: Mikey Barth (Basha)
Punter: Nolan Balke (Casteel)
Long Snapper: Braylon Logan (Sandra Day O'Connor)
Kickoff Return/Punt Return: Ryder Noche (Brophy)

2026 Fiesta Bowl All-State Flag Football Team

QB: Amaya Moreno (Campo Verde), Marlie Phillips (Liberty)
WR: Claire McMahon (Campo Verde), Kinsley McCarty (Eastmark), Mikaela Oberstein (Eastmark), Markiah Riley (Hamilton), Kayla Tacker (Casa Grande), Ela Witcher (Highland)
Rusher: Maddie Babcock (Mingus), Melodee Frost (Red Mountain), Demi Woods (Hamilton)
LB: Allie Jensen (Mountain Ridge), Mariah Ruelas (Corona del Sol), Ginny Wilson (Mountain View)
DB: Nola Bynum (Scottsdale Christian Academy), Emma Frost (Highland), Stella Hulse (Chaparral), Caroline Workman (Desert Mountain)
Athlete: Isla Collins (Salpointe Catholic), Lacie Nemchick (Highland), Deztany Toyota-Villalobos (Buena)


ABOUT FIESTA SPORTS FOUNDATION
Since its inception in 1971, the Fiesta Sports Foundation has been a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision to create unforgettable experiences through world-class sporting events, unparalleled hospitality and life-changing community impact. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Cactus Bowl and its year-round events, including the Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the Foundation provides charitable resources to support Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through a focus on youth, sports and education. Learn more at www.FiestaSportsFoundation.org and @Fiesta_Bowl on X/Instagram.