Arizona crowns more state football champs, two more to come

"Take Back the Title."

It was Saguaro's mantra all season after the Scottsdale school's three-year reign as 4A-I state champs ended last season in the semifinals.

The Sabercats did just that, rallying from a seven-point deficit with eight minutes remaining to post a 41-34 victory over defending champ Canyon del Oro (Tucson) Saturday at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe.

Teddy Ruben scored on runs of 1 and 5 yards in those final eight minutes and finished with 162 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while completing 10 of 14 passing for 128 yards and a touchdown in his final high school game.

"It feels unbelievable," said Ruben, who shared an embrace on the field afterward with his brother, Tim, who led Saguaro (Scottsdale) to a last-minute comeback victory over Canyon del Oro in the 2007 championship game.
Saguaro has won four of the past five 4A-I titles.

CDO star running back Ka'deem Carey, who has committed to Arizona, ran for 173 yards on 25 carries with two touchdowns. For his career, Carey finished with 5,702 rushing yards and 82 touchdowns in his four-year varsity career.

HAIL TO THE CHIEFS
Sophomore kicker Eric Wagner drilled a 22-yard field goal in overtime and 13th-seeded Thunderbird (Phoenix) completed one of the most memorable Cinderella runs in Arizona prep football history with a 25-22 win over No. 2 Gilbert Williams Field in the Class 4A-II state championship Saturday at Sun Devil Stadium. Connor Hustead had an 80-yard touchdown run and a 99-yard kickoff return for a score to spark the Chiefs who won their first state football championship in its 38-year history.

Along the way, Thunderbird knocked off No. 4 Liberty (Peoria), No. 12 Higley (Gilbert) and No. 8 Desert Edge (Goodyear) in an upset-filled tournament.

5A TITLE GAMES ARE SET
There were no major surprises in the semifinals of the 5A-I and 5A-II state football playoffs. Top seeds Hamilton (Chandler) and Chaparral (Scottsdale) advanced to their respective title games while red-hot Desert Ridge (Mesa) knocked off Desert Vista (Phoenix) to earn a spot opposite Hamilton in the Division I championship.
 
Centennial (Peoria) beat Ironwood Ridge (Tucson) to earn a spot in the title game for the fifth time in the past six years. Centennial won three straight titles from 2006-2008 but Chaparral is the heavily-favored, defending champ.

MaxPreps' Arizona football playoff brackets

BEALL STEPS DOWN
Days after leading Higley to a state quarterfinal berth, coach Jim Beall stepped down as coach. Beall has been the Knights' coach since the school opened 10 years ago and has been a head coach for 34 years. His Payson team ended Lakeside Blue Ridge's 72-game winning streak in 1998 in the Class 3A championship. Beall led Higley to a state runner-up finish in 2006. His 2007 team lost to eventual 4A-II champion Notre Dame (Scottsdale) 15-14 in the semifinals.

DAVONTE' NEAL EARNS GATORADE HONOR
Chaparral junior receiver/cornerback Davonte' Neal was named the Gatorade Arizona Football Player of the Year. Neal, 5-foot-10, 173 pounds, has 24 touchdowns this season between offense, defense and special teams. He has returned two of his four interceptions for touchdowns. He has 38 rushes for 364 yards and eight touchdowns and he has 31 catches for 829 yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged 21 yards on 19 punt returns and 41 yards on five kickoff returns, returning four kicks for scores.

THE FAB 5
1. Teddy Ruben, Sr., QB, Saguaro: Had 162 rushing yards 128 passing yards and five touchdowns (four rushing) in a 4A-I state championship game win over Canyon del Oro.

2. Davonte' Neal, Jr., WR/RB, Chaparral: Scored four touchdowns (three running, one receiving) in the Firebirds' 5A-II semifinal win over Westview (Avondale). Three of Neal's four scores were 28 yards or longer.

3. Gary Ross, Sr., WR/DB, Centennial: Had six catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns and returned an interception 30 yards for a score in the Coyotes' 5A-II semifinal win over Ironwood Ridge.

4. Jordan Becerra, Jr., QB, Desert Ridge: Ran for 277 yards and two touchdowns in a 5A-I semifinal win over Desert Vista.

5. Connor Hustead, Jr., RB, Thunderbird: Had a 99-yard kickoff return for a score and an 80-yard run for a touchdown in the Chiefs' 4A-II state championship game win over Williams Field.

ON DECK
Class 5A-I state football championship — Hamilton vs. Desert Ridge, Monday, 4 p.m., University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale: The heavily favored Huskies are shooting for their third straight state championship behind a rock-solid offensive line that is led by Texas bound tackle Christian Westerman. Desert Ridge has been one dimensional in the playoffs, but it's been a good dimension. Quarterback Jordan Becerra and running back Joey Counts have been unstoppable through the first three rounds.

Class 5A-II state football championship — Chaparral vs. Centennial, Monday, 8 p.m., University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale: Chaparral's Davonte' Neal, quarterback Connor Brewer and Co. go for a repeat against the one team that might be able to give them a game. Centennial won three straight titles from 2006-2008 before Marcos de Niza (Tempe) shocked them in the semifinals last season, ending Centennial's 39-game win streak.

CRAIG'S CRANIUM
Whenever attention turned to Hamilton this season, the focus was always on that offensive line led by Texas-bound senior Christian Westerman and Oregon bound tackle Tyler Johnstone. There has been much talk that Hamilton's skill players do not overwhelm – that the Huskies merely wear you down with that massive front five.

Hamilton doesn't help the star-studded argument by playing so many players. Its top rusher has 822 yards and its top receiver has 1,091 yards – hardly the kinds of numbers that grab headlines.

But don't be fooled. While the offensive line is dominant, Hamilton has two big-play receivers in Kendyl Taylor and Tanner Clay, who combined for more than 1,700 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. Taylor is only a junior and could be a top recruit next season.

Although he will be gone next season, quarterback Kyren Poe has been masterful running this offense this season with 1,821 passing yards, 14 scores and just four interceptions. Hamilton may have the hogs, but it has plenty of other offensive weapons, too. Desert Ridge is likely discovering that this week as it watches game film.

Craig Morgan is a freelance writer who has covered professional, college and high school sports in the Phoenix area for the past 18 years. He currently serves as the Phoenix correspondent for CBSSports.com, covering the Arizona Cardinals and other local teams. He also writes a weekly column and other features for The Arizona Republic. You can reach him at craigsmorgan@gmail.com.