We’ve tasted the appetizers. Now it’s time to gorge on the main course. After a palate-whetting, partial slate of games last week, everybody else joins the prep football fray tonight with 29 contests involving local teams. What are the 10 most intriguing story lines heading into this year? We’ll get to that in a minute. For the moment, just absorb the energy and emotion that is high school football. The grass is mowed. The hot dogs are cooked. The ankles are taped. And optimism abounds. OK. Game on.

5A-I

Can Brophy repeat?

Yes, but it’s going to be hard. Gone are Broncos mainstays Bryan Berens, Ray Polk, Sean Lieb and a few key linemen. Fortunately for the Broncos, most of the team’s terrific defense is in place, led by its defensive line and linebackers. Tonight’s matchup with Chandler Hamilton will be a great gauge of how far Scooter Molander’s team has to go, especially offensively. They’re still the class of the Desert Valley Region and have a difficult schedule. Barring (more) injuries, the defense can keep this team competitive. It’s how well the Broncos can move the ball and put up points that will determine their November staying power.

Will Brophy and Hamilton both miss the title game?

History says no. The last time neither played in the 5A or 5A-I title game was 2002. There are a few intriguing schools which, if they catch Hamilton or Brophy on an off night, can pull an upset. The last Arizona team other than Brophy to beat Hamilton was Gilbert Highland. The last Arizona team other than Hamilton to beat Brophy was Chandler. Mesa Mountain View still gets its share of wins but recently hasn’t been able to beat the eventual champ or a team that reaches the final. The Toros’ last three playoff losses were to Brophy (2005 semis), Hamilton (2006 final) and Phoenix Desert Vista (2007 runner-up). Their three losses last season were to Brophy, Desert Vista and Mesa Red Mountain. They did not play Hamilton.

Will Desert Vista get over the hump?

The Thunder took another step closer last season, turning themselves around late in the regular season and finally showing their capabilities in the playoffs before being stopped by Brophy in the championship game. A sizeable portion of that team returns, especially its top-notch defensive line (Devon Kennard, Danny Mullarkey and Conner Wilson). Cole Pembroke’s second year as starting quarterback can only help, as will the return of running back Marcus Washington in the next one to two weeks. The team insisted last year’s rocky first eight weeks won’t be repeated, but the Thunder need to show opponents they’ve made their offense two dimensional in a dogfight of a Central Region.

Can anyone other than Hamilton win the Fiesta Region?

This would seem to be a year it could happen. The Huskies are going to be heavily focused on the first half of their schedule with Brophy tonight and Peoria Centennial next week after an encounter with Miami (Fla.) Booker T. Washington already. Gilbert looks to be a prime playoff contender and usually gives Hamilton fits no matter the rosters. Gilbert Mesquite improved dramatically as 2007 progressed and proved it by giving Hamilton a playoff scare last year. Chandler still has to find a way to beat Hamilton since it never has, and Highland, the last Fiesta team to beat Hamilton, feels it will be markedly improved this year. Still, Hamilton has won 16 straight region games and the last three region titles since losing to Highland in 2004.

5A-II

Can anyone stop Centennial?

The Coyotes are going for a third consecutive title and look as strong as ever. Centennial doesn’t seem to rebuild, it just reloads. Mesa Desert Ridge gets to see how far along it’s come with a game against the Coyotes tonight. Tempe Marcos de Niza is a local team with state title aspirations dancing in its head, but losing running back Harrison Evens and quarterback David Viel is a big hit.

Is it Skyline’s time?

For years, Mesa Skyline was the whipping boy in the 5A East Valley Region. But with the split of 5A into two classes, the Coyotes have been steadily improving. Skyline went 7-4 last season and brings back eight starters on offense (including quarterback Anthony Ybarra and running back Tommy Brown) and seven on defense. The Pima Region will be competitive, and Skyline will be right in that mix.

4A-I

Can Saguaro three-peat?

Scottsdale Saguaro have won 19 straight games and two straight state titles. This season, as many as seven players on the team could gobble up Division I scholarships. Still, much depends on the strides made by sophomores and juniors who haven’t been a part of that success. Also, Tribune player of the year Tim Ruben is at Boise State, leaving quarterbacking duties in the hands of Cole Rarrick. Can the Sabercats overcome all of that?

Could we see an all-Desert Sky state championship game?

Saguaro, Scottsdale Chaparral and Paradise Valley are all legitimate top-five teams in the state, and they reside in the same region. Much depends on the state tournament seedings, but two teams from the Desert Sky could definitely meet in the title game. Tucson Canyon del Oro, Peoria, Glendale Cactus and Vail Cienega will do their best not to let it happen.

4A-II

Can anyone stop Notre Dame?

Only a two-point loss to Phoenix Washington kept Scottsdale Notre Dame from a perfect season in 2007. With 17 returning starters, seven of whom could be playing Division I college ball next year, an undefeated run to a second straight state title is a strong possibility. Replacing All-American quarterback Sean Renfree will be the biggest challenge. The Saints will run a multi-quarterback system in his place.

2A

Who can emerge from this cluster of quality?

Play has evolved in 2A, where a public school has won the past two championships (St. Johns, Thatcher) after a private school won the previous three titles. At least a half-dozen schools are serious contenders from the onset. Chandler Valley Christian lost a lot of experience and made some defensive changes, but the Trojans have made the state semifinals (or beyond) for four consecutive seasons and have a talented sophomore in Jordan Morgan at quarterback. Scottsdale Christian brings back most of its team that won the 2A Central behind Jacob Storrer and Michael Munsil. Phoenix Christian is transitioning coaches, from Jim Rattay to Rattay assistant Bob Denson, but the roster returns. Defending champion St. Johns has running back Shad McBride and Yuma Catholic has a record-setting quarterback in Matt Inman. The gap between public and private is gone.