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There was only one undefeated state champion in Arizona last year and
Joy Christian (Glendale) is off to a winless start in 2016.
It means the state's longest winning streaks are safe for now, but there are a handful of programs that have a decent streak going during the regular season action.
Skyline (Mesa) has won 19 straight regular season games with its last lost coming on Oct. 10, 2014.
Since the start of the 2014 regular season the Coyotes have won 25 of 26 regular-season games with postseason defeats coming in the quarterfinals (2014) and semifinals (2015).
"When we step on the field we know we can play with anyone," senior quarterback
TJ Daurte said after a win over Desert Vista two weeks ago. "We play hard and good things happen."
Skyline is off to a 5-0 start this year and goes on the road this week to face Hamilton, which knows a little bit about winning streaks as the Huskies own the state record for the big-school classification.
Hamilton (Chandler) won 53 straight games from 2008 to 2011 that ended in the state title game.
The Coyotes need to clean things up during the week if they want to keep getting the win on Friday nights.
"We're winning ugly," Skyline coach Angelo Paffumi said. "We're trying to find an identity. We really only have about 40 kids and we have to bring up 8-10 kids (from JV) to get a look. You can't get a true look and it makes for a bad practice.
"Our problem is we're still winning. I know that doesn't make sense. They expect to win so they think it should be given to them and don't always work hard for it. We have to work harder right now."
Mountain Pointe (Phoenix) has been on roll as well as the Pride have won 16 straight regular season games, while
Saguaro (Scottsdale) has won 16 overall, including the postseason games, and 12 in a row in the regular season.
Saguaro has won 16 in a row, but holds the 4A win streak of 37.
Photo by Darin Sicurello
has won 17 straight games including the postseason and 21-straight regular-season games. The last five wins have come at this season in 11-man football after dominating 8-man football for years.
Here is a look the longest win streaks per conference, excluding the 6A Conference as it is in its first year of existence:
5A 53; Hamilton, Chandler 2008-11
4A 37; Saguaro, Scottsdale 2006-09
3A 63;
Blue Ridge (Lakeside) 1994-98
2A 37;
St. Johns 1992-95
1A 29;
Patagonia 1986-89
Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona Republic sports writer and current Prep Sports Director for Times Publications, is a 20-year sports writing veteran. Contact him at jskoda1024@aol.com.
