Each week of the 2016 football season, I'll take you through my top 16 match-ups of the week, with analysis and predictions. The rankings associated with each team in the 16 for 2016 breakdown come from the ArizonaVarsity.com Media Poll.

You can also view the STATE FORTY EIGHT Power 48 Rankings here.

16)

Mountain Pointe comes in as the 6A title favorite, while O'Connor brings in a green offense and an experienced defense. If Mountain Pointe QB Noah Grover is as good as people close to the program have made him out to be, he'll showcase it carrying the Pride to an easy victory despite pass rush pressure from SDO's Jake Callaway.

Prediction: Mountain Pointe 45, O'Connor 14

15)

This is a battle to get into the 4A top 10. Estrella Foothills brings a light roster with a need to replace a ton of rushing production to Tempe, who is hoping Donnell Card can step up offensively and lead the team in receiving. This is the week that My-King Johnson starts chasing the Arizona state sack record.

Prediction: Tempe 24, Estrella Foothills 14

14)

Manuel Aparicio is good for a touchdown or two, but Payson's homefield advantage and experience in close games last year gives them the edge in this 3A match-up.

Prediction: Payson 32, Safford 25

13)

Highland finished last season backing into the playoffs, then nearly upset Chaparral in the first round. They return Tyler Johnson, and it'll be interesting to see what the Aztecs do to contain him. Corona's junior athlete Kobee Marion is dangerous in the return game and if the Aztecs can get an early win, they'll be off to a good start in their return to 6A. I'm still taking the Hawks though, I believe not dropping down in competition last year will aid them against the teams who did.

Prediction: Highland 42, Corona 35

12)

Perry is entrusting sophomore D'Shayne James to get them off on the right foot at QB, and the Pumas could be offensively explosive this year. Desert Vista is expecting to peak this year after struggling to get back to championship form in recent years. Both teams need this win to set the right tone for the season. I think Desert Vista athlete Keishaud White could make the big play that seals a Thunder win.

Prediction: Desert Vista 34, Perry 28

11)

Campo Verde's ben known to play some defense. Agua Fria's been know to absolutely go off on offense. Something has to give, and I'm giving the slight advantage to the home team.

Prediction: Campo Verde 45, Agua Fria 35

10)

Coach Hare was helping build something before leaving Mesa, and this will be Coach Sikahema's chance to show that the abby hasn't been thrown out with the bathwater. Mesquite is going to throw short passes all over the field under new Head Coach DeGrenier. If Mesa can survive death by a thousand tiny cuts, they may work their way into next week's media poll.

Prediction: Mesa 27, Mesquite 21

9)

Nogales was tough last year, but are they tough enough to win their opener against a 6A team that has experience stopping rushing attacks? If the Apaches can beat Sunnyside, it will certainly vault them into the 4A top 10.

Prediction: Sunnyside 30, Nogales 27

8)

Many believe that Drew Dixon and Sabino are going to runthrough the 3A division unscathed, but first they'll need to take on Southern AZ rival Sahuaro, a 5A opponent who nearly played spoiler in last year's playoffs.

Prediction: Sabino 21, Sahuaro 14

7)

The regular season loss that likely stings Basha the most over the last two years is their road loss to Westview in 2014- a game they were leading at the half, and lost by not being able to stop the run. This will be a chance for Basha to show whether or not they've made this achilles heel a thing of the past, as Westview RB Tyler Vasko comes in seeking a 2,000 yard season.

Prediction: Basha 31, Westview 21

6)

The novelty of Red Mountain playing close against very good teams has worn off- the Mountain Lions have to find a way to stop losing close games- and I think this game could be close, with Chandler starting a sophomore QB in Jacob Conover. I think the Wolves' talent will be too much in the end, but if Red Mountain can win, perhaps thet'll be the corner they need to turn to become one of the top tier 6A programs instead of 6A's toughest out.

Prediction: Chandler 38, Red Mountain 31

5)

Cesar Chavez finished just outside the 6A top 10 in the Media Poll voting, so a win over 5A's #6 team, Queen Creek, would certainly get them over the top. Queen Creek's key to victory will be a familiar formula for success- dominate the ball. I'm predicting the Bulldogs' running game neutralizes the Champions defensive speed, and keeps the Champions offense off the field.

Prediction: Queen Creek 24, Cesar Chavez 14

4)

Saguaro is talented, but are they any match for a California program whose last game was a one point loss to storied Mater Dei in the California Pac-5 Quarterfinals last year? I say yes. Saguaro is slightly deeper than last season, and is used to playing in the August Arizona heat. This isn't the most talented Serra team they've ever fielded, and if Max Massingale is ready to lead the Sabercats offense, Saguaro will pull off a huge victory to start their 2016 title defense.

Prediction: Saguaro 35, Serra 28

3)

Had the Sollenberger not done such a good job of putting together Zero Week matchups, this would easily be the best game of the week. Upstart Marana played well last year, and nearly beat Sabino in the playoffs. Ironwood Ridge had its title hopes dashed by Marcos de Niza, and is hoping to get back in the hunt in 2016. Both teams could end up on top of their sections at the end of the season.

Prediction: Ironwood Ridge 32, Marana 24

2)

These teams went head to head twice last year, and split a pair of one point victories, with Brophy winning a 2OT playoff contest. Pinnacle returns over half their starters, while Brophy looks for Noah Pittenger to carry them out of the Cade Knox/Ryan Velez era and into the future.

Prediction: Pinnacle 28, Brophy 24

1)

Graduating a majority of their talent wasn't enough to convince our media voters that Richard Taylor's Coyote's should lose the top ranking after dropping down from the state's top division. Desert Edge is chocked full of seniors, and they move up a division to see if they can win a title in 5A. It's a match-up of two defending champions in an intradivision season opener, and they come in ranked #1 and #2. This type of thing is more rare than seeing a leprechaun riding a unicorn.

Prediction: Desert Edge 35, Centennial 20