PHOENIX, AZ (May 7, 2025) – KAZT-TV (CW7) and Fiesta Sports Foundation today announced a partnership designed to further elevate high school football in Arizona by combining their respective high school football activations, Fiesta Bowl Friday Night Showdown and CW7 Thursday Night High School Kickoff, to launch the "Fiesta Bowl High School Showdown," featuring live television coverage of a premier game on Thursday nights.
 
The 10-game schedule opens on Thursday, August 28, when Brophy Prep hosts Basha, two of the top five 6A teams in the final 2024 Arizona high school rankings. Basha finished as runner-up in the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) Open Championship a year ago and was crowned champion in 2022. Brophy's roster features top talent, including five players whose fathers were NFL standouts.  
 
Each Thursday, gameday will get pumped up with a live pep rally broadcast on CW7's Arizona Daily Mix, hosted by Brad Perry featuring Fiesta Bowl mascot "Spirit." CW7 will also air a live pregame show at 6:30 p.m., leading into kickoff at 7 p.m. The Fiesta Bowl will bring its trademark interactive game experience to fans on a weekly basis, along with exclusive game coverage and live postgame behind-the-scenes coverage highlighted at @Fiesta_Bowl on X and Instagram. 
 
"We are thrilled to further our commitment to High School Football with Fiesta Sports Foundation, Sports 360AZ and FLOODstream to broadcast the first high school game played each week live on Thursdays," said CW7 Vice President and General Manager Traci Wilkinson. "Teachers, students and alumni can watch top caliber high school football games on free over-the-air television, as well as share the game with loved ones around the country through our livestream. Our newly formed partnerships will bring a higher level of community connection and opportunity to further highlight our local athletes, schools, and sponsors this coming season."
 
"In the first two years of the Fiesta Bowl Friday Night Showdown series, we saw increased attention on Arizona high school football, which is ascending on the national scene as our student-athletes are recruited by the top college football programs. Combining with CW7 to kick off each week's schedule on Thursday with a full day of activities and a live, primetime broadcast will increase the engagement, experiences, and exposure for participating schools, student-athletes, coaches and fans," said Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director & CEO Erik Moses. "Fiesta Sports Foundation is committed to enhancing the sport of football at all levels in Arizona, and we know the power of high school football within communities to build a passion that continues for life."
 
The schedule of games is as follows:
 

Date	Game Matchup	Kickoff Time
August 28	Basha at Brophy Prep (Central High School)	7 p.m.
September 11	Red Mountain at Sandra Day O'Connor	7 p.m.
September 18	Saguaro at Cesar Chavez	7 p.m.
September 25	Valley Christian at Ben Franklin	7 p.m.
October 2	North Canyon vs Maryvale	7 p.m.
October 9	Sunnyslope at Dobson	7 p.m.
October 16	Queen Creek at ALA Queen Creek	7 p.m.
October 23	Cactus Shadows at Chaparral	7 p.m.
October 30	Bradshaw Mountain at Prescott "Crosstown Showdown"	7 p.m.
November 6	TBD	7 p.m.

ABOUT KAZT-TV
KAZT-TV (CW7 Arizona), the only locally owned station in the Phoenix (Prescott) DMA, is home to the CW Network as well as today's top syndicated programs including Family Feud, The Big Bang Theory, and Young Sheldon.  We deliver national sports coverage as the broadcast home to NASCAR Xfinity Series, ACC football and basketball games, and WWE NXT.  CW7 Arizona also produces a daily lifestyle morning show – the Arizona Daily Mix with Brad Perry and Teresa Strasser – that shines a spotlight on locally owned businesses.  We engage with local businesses and events, sharing  stories and offering opportunities to support and connect with our communities. Available on YouTubeTV, Hulu +Live, Fubo, DirectTV Stream, Cable, Satellite, and Over-Ther-Air.
 
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, Rate Bowl and its year-round events, including the Vrbo 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.