Friday Night Fever Week 1: Kickoff Highlights from the Thrilling Start of the 2024 Season

Friday Night Fever has returned for its 35th season, thrilling Arizona football fans with intense action kicking off the high school football season. Week 1 brought a flurry of exciting games that showcased talent across the state.

Despite the sweltering temperatures still hovering around 110 degrees, football fervor has overtaken Arizona. The beginning of this high-stakes season signifies the return of Friday Night Fever, the state’s longest-running high school football show.

This milestone year promises action-packed thrills as teams vie for glory on the gridiron. Highlights from Week 1 set the stage for an electrifying season ahead.

Our Game of the Week spotlight landed on the matchup between Liberty and Desert Edge. Garnering 52% of the 11,924 votes from fans, this face-off featured the reigning Open Division champions, Liberty, triumphing with a 22-0 win. A promising start for Liberty as they kick off the season in impressive fashion.

In another close contest, the Brophy Broncos edged out the Williams Field Black Hawks with a score of 35-28, while Higley Knights overwhelmed the Campo Verde Coyotes with a significant 42-0 victory, establishing their dominance right from the start.

A thrilling season opener unfolded in Chandler, where the Hamilton Huskies, led by new head coach Travis Dixon, faced off against Richard Taylor’s Centennial Coyotes. The Huskies narrowly secured the win, finishing with a 17-10 lead.

Cesar Chavez experienced a tightly contested game against Chandler, eventually falling 27-18. Meanwhile, in a clash of crosstown rivals, the Red Mountain Mountain Lions defeated the Mesa Jackrabbits 42-10, and Highland Hawks crushed Shadow Ridge Stallions with a resounding 35-0 victory.

Adding to the excitement, the Sky12 helicopter provided aerial coverage of the Valley games in its “Fever Flyover” segment, showcasing Queen Creek’s 42-7 win over Sunrise Mountain and Basha’s 39-25 showdown against Millard South from Omaha.

Spotlighting individual talent, Uriah Neloms of San Tan Charter shined bright as he aims for a future at Arizona State University. The Roadrunners began their season strong, defeating Scottsdale Christian and Shadow Mountain.

In the West Valley, Mountain Ridge claimed victory over Tolleson Union, concluding Week 1 with a decisive 28-0 win.

As Friday Night Fever continues, fans can look forward to the “Sweet Plays” segment, now featuring three nominated plays each week. Voters will determine the winner, contributing towards a scholarship prize at season’s end.

Stay tuned as the season unfolds, with excitement brewing for Week 2’s highlighted games and individual performances. With the passionate support of fans, this year promises to be one for the books.