There is a fairly short list of bonafide contenders for the Division I football  title this season.

Hamilton, Desert Ridge, Mountain Pointe came to mind quickly when the 2011 season began. Basha, Chandler and Brophy weren't far behind. One of the schools flying under the radar early is Desert Vista.

Desert Vista was part of last year's 5A-I final four along with the aforementioned Hamilton, Desert Ridge and Mountain Pointe. All coach Dan Hinds and the Thunder has done so far is hammer four opponents, including for the first time since he took over at Mountain Pointe in 2009, Norris Vaughan.

What seems to be separating Desert Vista in 2011 from some past teams is not playing to the level of the competition. Three teams it handled easily so far are Maryvale, Westwood and Mesa. Several times a season in years gone by Desert Vista hasn't been sharp against teams it should handle with ease.

Last year Desert Vista beat Tucson 20-15, St. Mary's 24-17 in overtime  and Corona del Sol 10-6. Those schools combined to win seven games. This year that's not happening. The Thunder have allowed just 13 points in four games and blanked Mountain Pointe in a weather-shortened game.

On Friday night  Desert Vista visits 3-1 Corona del Sol. The Aztecs are starting to gain some confidence under new coach Tom Joseph. Leading the way for Desert Vista is a solid rushing attack and a stout defense. The Thunder's defense is making it easier onthe offense with solid play and a boat load of takeaways - 16 so far. Corona isn't  dazzling the opposition, but the Aztecs have beaten two teams that defeated them last year. They are primed to play better against a contender than they did in their opener vs. Basha.

Other games of note Thursday and Friday in the East Valley and southern Arizona: (Thursday game) Mountain Pointe at Chandler: Both teams losses are of the quality variety. Mountain Pointe's losses are to Hamilton and Desert Vista; Chandler fell last week to Basha. Mountain Pointe's strength is its defense. Chandler can put up lots of points That's the matchup to watch in this one. (Friday games) Red Mountain at Gilbert: At the halfway point of the regular season teams planning on contending for playoff berths need to have three wins. Red Mountain (2-2) has dropped games to unbeaten Brophy and Mesquite. Gilbert (3-1) just defeated Mesquite last week and has rebounded from a thrasing in its opener to Desert Ridge to win three games in a row. Marcos de Niza at Ironwood Ridge: Marcos de Niza (3-1) gets its first tough road test in this one. Ironwood Ridge (4-0) is one of a handful of unbeaten D-II teams and would like to hand a contender like the Padres a loss to add credence to its record. Dobson at Mesa: Dobson (3-1) has already equaled its best win total under third-year coach Alex Jacobson at three. A pair of one-point wins are a good omen. Mesa (0-4) would like nothing better than to break into the win column and blunt Dobson's early-season success story. Gila Ridge at Perry: A rare time that Gila Ridge (4-0) goes out of town these days. The teams met two years ago with Perry prevailing  in a shootout. The 2-2 Pumas need this game to be above water at the midpoint in Division II. In a rebuilding year may be tougher than it was two years ago. Florence at Coolidge: These Division IV teams met last year with an expected close outcome. Florence (3-1) won the game in a rout. Coolidge (4-0) will be mindful of that and looks to turn the tables this year. Canyon del  Oro at Flowing Wells: Might look like a mismatch in Flowing Wells (4-0) favor, but CDO (2-2) is much more tested to this point than Flowing Wells. Look for CDO to edge above .500 for the first time this season in ths Divison II showdown.