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No. 30
CHAMPIONSHIP: Class 5A (known as Class AAA at the time)
SCORE: Tucson 54, Phoenix Sunnyslope 16
DATE: December 4, 1970
SITE: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe
GAME SUMMARY: The Badgers capped off their 12-0 season under Ollie Mayfield by establishing early supremacy with rugged running backs Mark Simon and Allistaire Heartfield running over Sunnyslope’s defensive line.
Simon and Heartfield combined for 253 yards rushing on 39 carries with four touchdowns against the Vikings, who finished 9-3.
Simon had 119 yards by halftime, when Tucson built a 34-0 lead, with touchdown runs of 29 and 82 yards. He finished with 140 yards on nine rushes.
Heartfield carried the ball 13 times for 113 yards and two touchdowns.
Derral Davis was another offensive standout with 75 yards on 15 carries and he also had a 41-yard touchdown reception from a pass thrown by Anastacio Martinez.
Simon, Heartfield and Davis all rushed for more than 1,000 yards and Martinez passed for more than 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns that season.
Tucson’s defense also shut down Sunnyslope’s triple option. Defensive back Frank Castro returned two interceptions for 92 yards, including one to the end zone from 59 yards. Castro also completed a 35-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
Mayfield’s offense controlled the line of scrimmage which is not indicative of the final stats. The Vikings ran 24 more plays and had more first downs (21-16) than Tucson, but that had a lot to do with Mayfield pulling his starters at the start of the fourth quarter.
Tucson’s 54 points were the most most scored in a Class AAA title game. It was the Badgers’ third state championship, giving them the most at that time, ahead of St. Mary’s and Mesa with two titles apiece.
THEY SAID IT: “They can beat anybody. They’ve been a unit and worked together this year. Only for a few seconds have we had to get on someone in practice. They have pride in their school and what they do.” — Tucson High School coach Ollie Mayfield as quoted by the Tucson Citizen.
DID YOU KNOW: The legendary Mayfield won his first of two straight state championships with this victory. According to the Citizen report, Mayfield received a telegram at halftime from his mother and family in Omaha, Neb., congratulating him on the state title. Mayfield left Tucson for a few days during the week to attend the funeral of his father. He presented the game ball to line coach Ralph Bailey and trainer Larry Hall after the game and also gave them plaques honoring them for their assistance during that week.
BOX SCORE (printed in the Tucson Citizen):
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