No. 23 Hamilton (Ariz.) completes three-peat; Wins 40th straight game

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Christian Westerman put it in clear perspective.

"I've played here four years and I've lost one game," the Texas bound offensive tackle said. "That tells you what this program is all about."

With Monday's 21-13 win over Desert Ridge (Mesa) in the Class 5A Division I state football championship Monday at University of Phoenix Stadium, Hamilton (Chandler) accomplished something no other program in Arizona's biggest classification has -- win three straight state titles.

The Huskies, No. 23 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national rankings, have also won 40 straight games, the fourth longest streak in the country.

"We made history," coach Steve Belles said.



But in running the table on the 2010 season, Hamilton (15-0) is threatening to do more than that.

{PAGEBREAK}Mountain View (Mesa) currently owns the most biggest-class titles in state history with eight. In just its 13th year of existence, Hamilton already has six and shows no sign of slowing down.

"It's a credit to (original Hamilton coach) John Wrenn and (Principal Fred) DePrez for getting it going," said Belles, who took over the program in 2006. "I got the keys to a Mercedes and I'm just driving that sucker."

Desert Ridge (10-4) tested Hamilton like no team has this season. Riding an eight-game winning streak, the Jaguars matched the Huskies physically, outgaining them in total yards, 334-322 and held Hamilton to 105 yards rushing.

Desert Ridge quarterback Jordan Becerra and running back Joey Counts combined for 260 rushing yards.

"Their run game was almost unstoppable," Belles said.



Amazing when you consider Counts was vomiting along the sidelines in the third quarter.

"I left some of myself at Cardinals Stadium," he said. "I always eat Subway before the game so that was probably some ham and bread and stuff."

Few outside the east Mesa campus gave the Jaguars any chance to hang with the Huskies.

"We had people doubting us all year," Counts said. "Especially on our own campus, there was a Hamilton bandwagon forming.

"But it's all about our love for each other. We played our hearts out in this one."

{PAGEBREAK}Mental errors were Desert Ridge's undoing, and none was bigger than an ill-fated decision by coach Jeremy Hatchcock.



With his team trailing 7-3 and facing a 4th-and-2 at midfield late in the first half, Hathcock opted to go for it.

The play was designed as a quick catch-and-throw between quarterback Parker Rasmussen and receiver Paris Clark where Counts was supposed to run off the safety. But Counts stayed in the zone, Rasmussen held the ball too long and Huskies defensive back Reggie Daniels picked off a low throw for a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Instead of being down 7-3 and feeling very good about playing the state's best program even for a half, Desert Ridge went into the locker room trailing 14-3.

The play was similar to a pick-6 Mesa threw in the 2009 5A-I title game against Hamilton just before the half, giving Hamilton some breathing room.

"I watched Mesa do it last year," Hathcock said. "I said I'd never do it and I did it. If I don't make that bonehead call…"

Desert Ridge got an early fumble recovery and touchdown early in third quarter to pull within 14-10, but Hamilton answered with a 73-yard pass to Tanner Clay and Clay's 17-yard touchdown reception to push the lead back to 21-10.



Trailing 21-13 late, Desert Ridge converted a 4th-and-14 and drove to the Hamilton 36. But on 4th-and-17, Rasmussen scrambled and ran when Hathcock wanted him to throw. He came up seven yards short and Hamilton ran out the clock to complete its pressure-packed, wire-to-wire act as the state's top dog.

"That's a credit to our coaching staff -- keeping our heads on straight and us not getting complacent," quarterback Kyren Poe said. "We're a powerhouse and I can't even describe this feeling."