The Desert Mountain Wolves (11-3, 2-2) and the Canyon View Jaguars (11-2, 4-1) battled it out for the 5A State Championship on Friday.
Both teams had taken a hard road to get here, with Desert Mountain beating multiple higher ranked teams to get to the final.
As for Canyon View, while they did get a bye in the first round of the playoffs, they still had to punch above their weight to reach the final.
Canyon View’s run was more impressive, as the program grabbed its first ever win in 2020.
Regardless, both teams were gunning for their first ever 5A state championship title.
Desert Mountain got the ball first and got two false starts in their first three plays.
Thankfully, on 3rd & 17, a 19-yard screen pass to senior running back Easton Conner gave them a new set of downs.
The Wolves were running the ball down Canyon View’s throat, chewing up a lot of clock in the first quarter.
“Overall, I think that the game plan we had for the team, the kids executed it pretty well,” Desert Mountain head coach Conrad Hamilton said. “We want to play with some physicality in the run game. Sets up some of our deep shots and play action movement plays.”
Deep in Canyon View territory, Desert Mountain chose to go for it on fourth down.
It paid off, as they moved the chains via a catch from junior wide receiver Isaiah Justice.
The Wolves got into the end zone, but right before the ball crossed the goal line, they fumbled.
Thankfully for Desert Mountain, junior tight end Davian Whitener fell on it in the end zone, as the Wolves grabbed a 7-0 lead.
The Jaguars got to work, on offense, and a 22-yard run by senior quarterback Brady Scott of Canyon View, and a face mask penalty by Desert Mountain gave the Jaguars prime field position.
“We had some defensive penalties,” Hamilton said. “Where either it was face mask, roughing, or horse collar. Those are lazy plays and grabbing plays. We’re always trying to get better.”
Desert Mountain responded, as senior linebacker Ryan McDonough forced a fumble, before scooping it up and taking near midfield.
The very next play, however, Conner fumbled the ball, and Canyon View recovered.
The teams exchanged punts, but midway through the second quarter, Canyon View found the end zone, as Scott found senior wide receiver Brandon Catalan over the middle for a touchdown to make it a 7-7 game.
Canyon View got the ball back with 58 seconds left in the first half but couldn’t get a drive going.
It was 7-7 entering the second half, and it was anyone’s game.
Midway through the third, Desert Mountain again found themselves going for it in Canyon View territory, but this time, they couldn’t convert as the Jaguars forced a turnover on downs.
Desert Mountain’s defense held, and when they got the ball back, junior quarterback Grant Garduno found sophomore wide receiver Kai Tschen wide open for a 39-yard touchdown.
Desert Mountain re-took the lead, 14-7.
“It feels great,” Garduno said. “I’m so proud of my team, I’m so proud of my seniors, I’m so happy they get to go out on this note.”
Midway through the third quarter, Canyon View began a new drive, and Scott went down after being driven into the ground.
Sophomore Titan Jacobs stepped in as quarterback.
Garduno found Whitener for a massive gain, but The Wolves were forced to punt after a back breaking penalty.
The third quarter was punting galore as the game had become a defensive battle, but entering the fourth quarter, Desert Mountain had the lead, up 14-7.
Early in the fourth quarter, Desert Mountain got back on the board.
Garduno rolled up and found junior tight end Jaden Lindley for a touchdown, giving the Wolves a two-possession lead.
“I’m going to be honest, first thing going through my mind was that it was my teammates’ first touchdown he scored,” Garduno said. “I was so excited for him, I ran up and hugged him. That was awesome.”
Desert Mountain extended the lead 21-7.
With six minutes to go, the Wolves were forced to punt, but Canyon View muffed it, and Desert Mountain recovered.
On the very next play, Conner took it for what would have been a touchdown, but a holding call on the Wolves negated it.
“How many teams do you know win a ball game 21-7 in a big game when they have 20 penalties?” Hamilton said. “I’m not happy on how we performed in certain situations such as pre-snap penalties.”
Desert Mountain were forced to punt, but the Jaguars only had four minutes to score two touchdowns.
Canyon View moved quickly, but a turnover on downs with 53 seconds left in the game sealed the deal.
“We’re just very proud of our players,” Hamilton said. “Hopefully they can remember this moment for the rest of their lives.”
Two plays later, and Desert Mountain won 21-7, winning their first ever 5A State Championship title.
“Honestly, I’m going to celebrate with these guys,” Desert Mountain defensive lineman Connor Ring said. “I can’t think of anything else.”
During the post-game ceremony, Connor was deemed offensive MVP; while McDonough was deemed defensive MVP and Fiesta Bowl MVP.
