Mica Mountain extended its winning streak to 16 games after defeating rival Canyon del Oro 37-7 at Dorado Stadium on Friday night.
The Thunderbolts, coming off of a 14-0 4A state championship season last year, are 2-0.
Their last loss was on Nov. 24, 2023, to the Dorados in the state semifinals. Canyon del Oro went on to win the 4A state championship that year.
With two former state championship teams going head-to-head under the Friday night lights, expectations were high for a back-and-forth close game.
In the first quarter, it looked like those expectations were being met as the two teams were knotted at 7 apiece at the end of the quarter.
Mica Mountain got on the board first after Riley Carson returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.
Mica Mountain’s Riley Carson takes the opening kickoff to the house.
Thunderbolts – 7
Dorados – 0
11:42 left in the first quarter. @MicaMountainFB @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/qOG955fTs9
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) September 6, 2025
At the 4:22 mark in the first quarter, CDO (1-1) tied it up when quarterback Peyton Strang threw a floating pass to receiver Jayden Smith for a Dorados touchdown.
CDO ties it at 7 after a pass from Peyton Strang to Jayden Smith.
4:22 left in the first quarter@FootballCdo @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/bvhMXhqXSj
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) September 6, 2025
CDO wouldn’t see the end zone the rest of the night as the Mica Mountain defense shut down the Dorados’ running game. Interceptions by defensive backs Kaden Watson and Blake Beltz stymied the passing attack.
“It’s been a rivalry so we just wanted to bring it to them” Mica Mountain linebacker Broden Schmidt said “We have our amazing D-Coordinator Brett Darling, he returned to us, so it’s been a blessing having the same defense.
“But this new group of guys is really something special. We’ve been picking up on what we did last year and us seniors have been pushing the younger guys to get better and better every day. We are looking to go 14-0 again.”
Mica Mountain linebacker Broden Schmidt and the defense held CDO to seven points.. he talks about how the seniors push the younger players to get better and gives a shout out to defensive coordinator Brett Darling. @MicaMountainFB @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/ASc70FTLaT
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) September 6, 2025
Shutting down the Dorados running game was a big part of Mica Mountains game plan.
“We knew they were running the ball pretty well, and we’re committed to trying to stop that run,” Mica Mountain coach Jay Campos said. “The quarterback did a really good job. I thought he’s much improved from when I saw him this summer.”
Mica Mountain coach Jay Campos talks about the Thunderbolts’ successful game plan against the Dorados, the play of his offensive line and the consistency of the defensive. @MicaMountainFB @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/oXwDcchqtU
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) September 6, 2025
In the first play of the second quarter, Mica Mountain took a 14-7 lead after running back Jeremiah Anderson broke tackles, running up the middle for a touchdown.
A quarterback keeper by Jaidyn Crist put the Thunderbolts up 21-7 with 6:57 left in the first half.
Crist gave credit to the Thunderbolts’ offensive line for their stellar play in opening up the running lane and allowing time to complete passes.
“The O-line has grown so much in just two weeks and if we keep going, the sky is the limit for us,” Crist said.
Mica Mountain quarterback Jaidyn Crist gives props to the Thunderbolts’ offensive line and talks about continuing the team’s winning streak including 14-0 and the state championship last year. @MicaMountainFB @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/VBv3CvWBbj
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) September 6, 2025
“Our offensive line really stepped up tonight and did an amazing job” Coach Campos added.
Mica Mountain extended their lead to 28-7 when Crist threw a touchdown pass to Evan Wheeler with 8:35 left in the third quarter.
With CDO punter Reece Douglas punting from the back of the end zone, a high snap resulted in a safety, giving Mica Mountain a 30-7 advantage.
The final Thunderbolt points came in the fourth quarter when Colin Axford bounced off defenders for a 3-yard touchdown run.
Mica Mountain’s win didn’t come without a few hiccups.
Two touchdowns were called back due to holding penalties.
CDO coach Scott McKee was disappointed for his players but put the blame for the loss on his shoulders.
“I’m responsible for the organization and I’m responsible for the way that we play and when get beat fundamentally and you get beat on the line of scrimmage,” he said. “We had a chance in the red zone there. We didn’t get the right call in. We didn’t get the play in the end zone.
“I’ve got the right kids. They want to work. They’ll do their part. They’re young. They’re still developing into what they need to be, but they can only go as far as the driver takes them, so that’s my responsibility to get them right. I’ll get them right. There’s no doubt about that.”
Canyon del Oro coach Scott McKee says he has the right kids who work hard but “they can only go as far as the driver will take them”. He takes full responsibility for the loss to Mica Mountain.
Coach McKee.. always gracious and honest no matter the outcome of a game.… pic.twitter.com/yMU3z6omWu
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) September 6, 2025
Next Up:
Mica Mountain will travel to ALA-West Foothills, which lost in the 3A state championship game last season to Pusch Ridge.
CDO will host Phoenix South Mountain.
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