Bordow: Top 10 active Arizona high school football coaches

Trying to pick the top 10 active high school football coaches is a little bit like trying to decide what the best Halloween candy is. There's no right answer (although Reese's Peanut Butter Cups come close) because everyone has their own taste.

Also, what criteria should such a list be based on? Wins? State titles? Longevity? Or all of the above?

Ultimately, it's a judgment call. So with that don't-get-mad-it's-just-my-opinion disclaimer, here's my top 10:

(The names are in alphabetical order because, well, I chickened out and couldn't figure out how I'd rank them.)

Steve Belles, Chandler Hamilton

Yes, Hamilton is a football factory and there are a lot of coaches in the state who could win big with the resources Belles has. But it's not easy massaging the egos of both players and parents, and Belles' record speaks for itself: Five state titles since 2006 and a remarkable streak of seven straight title game appearances.

Tommy Brittain, Tempe Prep

The only coach on this list without a state title but few coaches have done more with less. Last year, Tempe Prep became the first charter school to play in a state championship game. The school doesn't have its own football field and for years the team lifted weights in the parking lot. Yet, all Brittain does is win.

Larry Fetkenhier, Glendale Cactus

One of the true legends in the coaching ranks. Fetkenhier is an old-school coach who never has concerned himself with the next job or opportunity. He's been at Cactus for 30 years and led the school to a state title as recently as 2009. Fetkenhier is one of just seven coaches with at least 300 victories (307).

Frank Lautt, Phoenix Alhambra

By any measure usually judged to measure coaches, Lautt shouldn't be on this list. Alhambra has had three winning seasons since 2004. It doesn't make the playoffs and few, if any, of its kids go on to play college football. But make no mistake: Lautt is a success. He has been Alhambra's coach for 20 years because he believes positively impacting the lives of disadvantaged kids is more important than wins and losses.

Paul Moro, Poston Butte

You can make the argument that Moro is the greatest high school coach in state history. He won 13 state titles and 318 games in 30 years at Pinetop-Lakeside Blue Ridge before leaving in December 2013 to become Poston Butte's coach. He has 325 career wins and likely will become Arizona's all-time winningest coach this season. He needs just six victories to pass former Tucson Amphitheater legend Vern Friedli.

Jim Rattay, Laveen Cesar Chavez

Rattay hasn't enjoyed the same success at Cesar Chavez that he had at Mesa, Phoenix Desert Vista and Phoenix Christian but how can you argue with 303 wins and five state championships? Answer: You don't. With Cesar Chavez moved to Division III, Rattay will have his sights set on a sixth title.

Jeff Scurran, Tucson Catalina Foothills

Scurran has 280 wins and there may be no coach better in the state at rebuilding programs. Just ask the folks at Oro Valley Canyon del Oro, Tucson Sabino, Tucson Santa Rita and now Catalina Foothills. Had Scurran coached at schools with more resources or better players, he likely would have already become a member of the 300-win club.

Rhett Stallworth, Yuma Catholic

Stallworth has created a dynasty in Yuma, winning three of the past four Division V titles. He does enjoy some advantages as a coach at a private school but he still has to win and he does so in a big way. Former Chandler coach Jim Ewan, who was an assistant under Stallworth the past several years, said he's one of the best coaches he's ever been around.

Richard Taylor, Peoria Centennial

Schools in the West Valley haven't had a lot of success in football. Centennial is the exception. Taylor has guided the school to four state championships since 2006. His teams play disciplined, physical football on both sides of the ball. In every sense, they're a reflection of their head coach. Centennial will continue to have success as it moves up to Division I; Taylor is too good a coach for that not to happen.

Norris Vaughan, Phoenix Mountain Pointe

Has there ever been a better coaching repairman than Vaughan? Wickenburg was 3-7 in 2004. Vaughan took over the following season and went 47-5 the next four years. Mountain Pointe was 2-8 in 2008. Enter Vaughan and Mountain Pointe is 64-14 in his six seasons at the school, including an undefeated 14-0 state championship team in 2013.

Also considered: Dave Inness, Phoenix Northwest Christian; Randy Ricedorff, Show Low; Jim Jones, Gilbert Mesquite; Jeremy Hathcock, Mesa Desert Ridge; Bernie Busken, Phoenix North; Jason Mohns, Scottsdale Saguaro; and Rich Wellbrock, Goodyear Desert Edge.