Mica Mountain’s 42-17 drubbing of previously unbeaten Phoenix Arcadia for the 4A state championship Friday in Tempe was monumental not only for the school in its sixth year of operation because of its repeat performance from last season.
It was historic for all of Southern Arizona high school football.
Among the achievements:
— Mica Mountain head coach Jay Campos earned his first state title in his fifth attempt that far in the postseason. He lost in four state championship appearances with Sabino in 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2016.
— Campos’ fifth appearance in a state title game as head coach is only behind Jeff Scurran (eight with Sabino, Santa Rita and Catalina Foothills) and Larry Hart (six with Flowing Wells) in Southern Arizona history. Jim Crawford also reached the state title game five times with St. David.
— Pat Nugent led Mica Mountain to a state title last year before resigning to take a respite from coaching. Two different coaches leading the same high school to consecutive championships is a rare feat in Arizona. It was accomplished only five times previously, including by Thatcher (2017 and 2018) and Santa Cruz Valley (1978 and 1979).
— Mica Mountain became the first repeat champion of a big school in Southern Arizona since Canyon del Oro earned the titles in 1976 and 1977 under Bob Smith. Tucson High also accomplished the feat in 1965 & 1966 under John Mallamo and 1970 & 1971 under Ollie Mayfield.
— Southern Arizona is on a five-game winning streak in championship games, dating to CDO winning the 4A title and Sabino the 3A title in 2023. Pusch Ridge captured the 3A championship and Mica Mountain the 4A title last season. The Thunderbolts increased the streak to five games with the win over Arcadia. Southern Arizona has never won that many consecutive titles among schools at least at the 3A level.
SOUTHERN ARIZONA COACHES WITH MULTIPLE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES
Bold – state championship
Jeff Scurran, 8 — 3-5 (Sabino – 1990, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999; Santa Rita – 2008, 2009; Catalina Foothills – 2016)
Larry Hart, 6 — 1-5 (Flowing Wells – 1964, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975)
Jim Crawford, 5 — 4-1 (St. David – 1960, 1966, 1972, 1977, 1979)
Jay Campos, 5 — 1-4 (Sabino – 2005, 2006, 2009, 2016; Mica Mountain – 2025)
John Bryant, 4 — 4-0 (St. David – 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001)
Bill House, 4 — 2-1-1 (Patagonia, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992)
Dick Pottle, 4 — 2-2 (Safford – 1969, 1970, 1971, 1982)
Richard Sanchez, 4 — 2-2 (Sunnyside – 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006)
Vern Friedli, 4 — 1-3 (Morenci – 1973; Amphi – 1979, 1990, 1997)
Howard Breinig, 4 — 0-3-1 (Sahuaro – 1984, 1991, 1993, 1994)
Reg LeFevre, 4 — 0-4 (Patagonia – 1959, 1962, 1963, 1964)
Don Conrad, 3 — 3-0 (Thatcher – 2000, 2001, 2006)
John Mallamo, 3 — 2-1 (Tucson – 1962, 1965, 1966)
Dustin Peace, 3 — 2-1 (Canyon del Oro – 2009, 2010, 2023)
Ed Shamey, 3 — 1-2 (Thatcher – 1988, 1989, 1995)
Dennis Bene, 3 — 1-2 (Salpointe – 2013, 2017, 2018)
Ollie Mayfield, 2 — 2-0 (Tucson – 1970, 1971)
Bob Smith, 2 — 2-0 (Canyon del Oro – 1976, 1977)
Gary Mauldin, 2 — 2-0 (Valley Union – 1985, 1986)
Sean Hinton, 2 — 2-0 (Thatcher – 2016, 2017)
Lou Farber, 2 — 1-1 (Pueblo – 1961, 1967)
Don Hawkins, 2 — 1-1 (Marana – 1967, 1968)
Steve Sorce, 2 — 1-1 (Suffolk Hills – 1981, 1982)
Jim Hughes, 2 — 1-1 (Thatcher – 1998; Willcox – 2009)
Tony Luzania, 2 — 1-1 (Valley Union – 2007, 2015)
Pat Nugent, 2 — 1-1 (Canyon del Oro – 2007; Mica Mountain – 2023)
Ken Sawin, 2 — 0-2 (Douglas – 1974, 1976)
Larry Wooldridge, 2 — 0-2 (Willcox – 1978, 1986)
Larry Gray, 2 — 0-2 (Flowing Wells – 1982, 1983)
Tom Davis, 2 — 0-2 (Valley Union – 1987, 1990)
Nemer Hassey, 2 — 0-2 (Sahuaro – 1999; Cienega – 2011)
Chris Determan, 2 — 0-2 (Benson – 2015, 2020)
State Championship Southern Arizona Coaches
A list of head coaches who won state titles at Southern Arizona high schools. * - Game ended in a tie| Year | Cl | Coach | School | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | C | Jim Crawford | St. David | Tuba City |
| 1961 | AA | Lou Farber | Pueblo | St. Mary's |
| 1964 | B | Duane Morrison | Marana | Willcox |
| 1965 | AA | John Mallamo | Tucson | Yuma Union |
| 1966 | AA | John Mallamo | Tucson | Westwood |
| 1968 | B | Don Hawkins | Marana | Round Valley |
| 1969 | AA | Dick Pottle | Safford | Winslow |
| 1970 | AAA | Ollie Mayfield | Tucson | Sunnyslope |
| 1971 | AAA | Ollie Mayfield | Tucson | Tempe |
| 1971 | AA | Dick Pottle | Safford | Flowing Wells |
| 1972 | C | Jim Crawford | St. David | Fredonia |
| 1973 | AAA | Van Howe | Palo Verde | Camelback |
| 1975 | AAA | Jerry Loper | Amphi | Maryvale |
| 1975 | AA | Larry Hart | Flowing Wells | Snowflake |
| 1976 | AA | Bob Smith | Canyon del Oro | Douglas |
| 1976 | A | Cliff Martin | Morenci | Page |
| 1976 | C | John Milford | Tucson Deaf & Blind | Mayer |
| 1977 | AA | Bob Smith | Canyon del Oro | Gilbert |
| 1977 | C | Jim Crawford | St. David | Fredonia |
| 1979 | AAA | Vern Friedli | Amphi | Mesa |
| 1979 | C | Jim Crawford | St.David | Salome |
| 1981 | A | Damon Becker | San Manuel | Buckeye |
| 1982 | B | Paul Hanley | Willcox | Blue Ridge |
| 1982 | C | Steve Sorce | Suffolk Hills | Pima |
| 1985 | C | Gary Mauldin | Valley Union | Western Christian |
| 1986 | B | Jesse Hughes | Thatcher | Willcox |
| 1986 | C | Gary Mauldin | Valley Union | NW Christian |
| 1987 | C | Bill House | Patagonia | Valley Union |
| 1988 | B | Ed Shamey | Thatcher | Hayden |
| 1988 | C | Bill House | Patagonia | Scottsdale Christian |
| 1990 | 4A | Jeff Scurran | Sabino | Peoria |
| 1991* | 1A | Bill House | Patagonia | Fredonia |
| 1992 | 4A | Jeff Scurran | Sabino | Washington |
| 1993 | 4A | Wayne Jones | Mountain View | Sahuaro |
| 1994* | 4A | Howard Breinig | Sahuaro | Peoria |
| 1997 | 1A | John Bryant | St. David | Mogollon |
| 1998 | 4A | Jeff Scurran | Sabino | Mesa Mountain View |
| 1998 | 2A | Jim Hughes | Thatcher | Queen Creek |
| 1998 | 1A | John Bryant | St. David | Orme School |
| 2000 | 2A | Don Conrad | Thatcher | St. Johns |
| 2000 | 1A | John Bryant | St. David | Bagdad |
| 2001 | 4A | Richard Sanchez | Sunnyside | Greenway |
| 2001 | 2A | Don Conrad | Thatcher | Phoenix Christian |
| 2001 | 1A | John Bryant | St. David | Joseph City |
| 2003 | 4A | Richard Sanchez | Sunnyside | Cactus |
| 2005 | 4AD2 | Todd Mayfield | Palo Verde | Mingus Union |
| 2006 | 2A | Don Conrad | Thatcher | Valley Christian |
| 2007 | 1A | Tony Luzania | Valley Union | Pima |
| 2009 | 4A | Dustin Peace | CDO | Sabino |
| 2012 | D2 | Matt Johnson | Ironwood Ridge | Centennial |
| 2013 | D2 | Dennis Bene | Salpointe | Chaparral |
| 2015 | D4 | Troy Copp | Pusch Ridge | NW Christian |
| 2016 | 2A | Sean Hinton | Thatcher | Round Valley |
| 2017 | 2A | Sean Hinton | Thatcher | Santa Cruz |
| 2018 | 2A | Ramon Morales | Thatcher | Round Valley |
| 2021 | 4A | Jake Barro | Casa Grande | Poston Butte |
| 2023 | 3A | Ryan McBrayer | Sabino | Paradise Honors |
| 2023 | 4A | Dustin Peace | CDO | Yuma Catholic |
| 2024 | 3A | Kent Middleton | Pusch Ridge | ALA-West Foothills |
| 2024 | 4A | Pat Nugent | Mica Mountain | AZ College Prep |
| 2025 | 4A | Jay Campos | Mica Mountain | Arcadia |
SOUTHERN ARIZONA COACHES IN STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
List of schools and their head coaches from Southern Arizona who have coached teams in the state championship games.| Year/Cl | SAZ Coach | SAZ Team | SAZ Coach | Opp | W/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959/C | Reg LeFevre | Patagonia | Lakeside | L/34-19 | |
| 1960/A | Charlies Willingham | Douglas | Arcadia | L/21-13 | |
| 1960/C | Jim Crawford | St. David | Tuba City | W/40-21 | |
| 1961/AA | Lou Farber | Pueblo | St. Mary’s | W/16-14 | |
| 1962/AA | John Mallamo | Tucson | Arcadia | L/40-7 | |
| 1962/C | Reg Lefevre | Patagonia | Camp Verde | L/32-31 | |
| 1963/AA | Bill Lovin | Rincon | Mesa | L/28-0 | |
| 1963/C | Reg LeFevre | Patagonia | Camp Verde | L/44-18 | |
| 1964/A | Larry Hart | Flowing Wells | Winslow | L/7-0 | |
| 1964/B | Duane Morrison | Marana | Lee Barnes | Willcox | MHS/14-7 |
| 1964/C | Reg LeFevre | Patagonia | McNary | L/27-13 | |
| 1965/AA | John Mallamo | Tucson | Yuma Union | W/27-6 | |
| 1966/AA | John Mallamo | Tucson | Westwood | W/14-7 | |
| 1966/C | Jim Crawford | St. David | McNary | L/53-6 | |
| 1967/AA | Lou Farber | Pueblo | St. Mary’s | L/34-22 | |
| 1967/B | Don Hawkins | Marana | Parker | L/40-0 | |
| 1967/C | John Grimes | Valley Union | Fredonia | L/71-7 | |
| 1968/AAA | Ike Sharp | Douglas | St. Mary’s | L/27-14 | |
| 1968/AA | Larry Hart | Flowing Wells | Coconino | L/6-0 | |
| 1968/B | Don Hawkins | Marana | Round Valley | W/21-6 | |
| 1969/AA | Dick Pottle | Safford | Winslow | W/26-24 | |
| 1970/AAA | Ollie Mayfield | Tucson | Sunnyslope | W/54-16 | |
| 1970/AA | Dick Pottle | Safford | Agua Fria | L/48-26 | |
| 1971/AAA | Ollie Mayfield | Tucson | Tempe | W/20-14 | |
| 1971/AA | Dick Pottle | Safford | Larry Hart | Flowing Wells | SHS/28-10 |
| 1972/AA | Larry Hart | Flowing Wells | Agua Fria | L/35-21 | |
| 1972/C | Jim Crawford | St. David | Fredonia | W/36-22 | |
| 1973/AAA | Van Howe | Palo Verde | Camelback | W/22-20 | |
| 1973/AA | Larry Hart | Flowing Wells | Coconino | W/14-3 | |
| 1973/A | Vern Friedli | Morenci | Gilbert | L/27-6 | |
| 1974/AA | Ken Sawin | Douglas | Coconino | L/21-14 | |
| 1975/AAA | Jerry Loper | Amphi | Maryvale | W/23-22 | |
| 1975/AA | Larry Hart | Flowing Wells | Snowflake | W/14-13 | |
| 1975/C | L.W. Jackson | Valley Union | Mayer | L/26-16 | |
| 1976/AA | Bob Smith | CDO | Ken Sawin | Douglas | CDO/24-15 |
| 1976/A | Cliff Martin | Morenci | Page | W/39-7 | |
| 1976/C | John Milford | Tucson D&B | Mayer | W/42-22 | |
| 1977/AA | Bob Smith | CDO | Gilbert | W/9-7 | |
| 1977/A | Boone Jackson | Willcox | Coolidge | L/28-0 | |
| 1977/C | Jim Crawford | St. David | Fredonia | W/22-6 | |
| 1978/A | Larry Wooldridge | Willcox | Santa Cruz | L/40-36 | |
| 1978/B | Mike Hayhurst | Benson | St. Johns | L/20-12 | |
| 1979/AAA | Vern Friedli | Amphitheater | Mesa | W/27-0 | |
| 1979/C | Jim Crawford | St. David | Salome | W/28-22 | |
| 1981/AAA | Ed Doherty | Salpointe | Trevor Browne | L/20-0 | |
| 1981/A | Damon Becker | San Manuel | Buckeye | W/14-7 | |
| 1981/C | Steve Sorce | Suffolk Hills | Maricopa | L/20-14 | |
| 1982/AA | Larry Gray | Flowing Wells | Flagstaff | L/10-7 | |
| 1982/A | Dick Pottle | Safford | Snowflake | L/19-13 | |
| 1982/B | Paul Hanley | Willcox | Blue Ridge | W/13-11 | |
| 1982/C | Steve Sorce | Suffolk Hills | Pima | W/23-14 | |
| 1983/AA | Larry Gray | Flowing Wells | Flagstaff | L/24-7 | |
| 1984/AAA | Howard Breinig | Sahuaro | St. Mary’s | L/31-14 | |
| 1984/B | Jack Edens | Morenci | Phoenix Christian | L/25-7 | |
| 1985/C | Gary Mauldin | Valley Union | Western Christian | W/26-20 | |
| 1986/B | Jesse Hughes | Thatcher | Larry Wooldridge | Willcox | THS/13-10 |
| 1986/C | Gary Mauldin | Valley Union | NW Christian | W/57-20 | |
| 1987/C | Bill House | Patagonia | Tom Davis | Valley Union | PHS/36-18 |
| 1988/B | Ed Shamey | Thatcher | Hayden | W/20-6 | |
| 1988/C | Bill House | Patagonia | Scottsdale Christian | W/38-26 | |
| 1989/2A | Ed Shamey | Thatcher | Florence | L/18-0 | |
| 1990/5A | Vern Friedli | Amphi | Mesa | L/21-7 | |
| 1990/4A | Jeff Scurran | Sabino | Peoria | W/31-28 | |
| 1990/1A | Tom Davis | Valley Union | Seligman | L/56-0 | |
| 1991/5A | Pat Welchert | Salpointe | St. Mary’s | L/28-13 | |
| 1991/4A | Howard Breinig | Sahuaro | Agua Fria | L/28-0 | |
| 1991/1A | Bill House | Patagonia | Fredonia | T/36-36 | |
| 1992/4A | Jeff Scurran | Sabino | Washington | W/28-3 | |
| 1992/2A | Reynaldo Peru | Morenci | St. Johns | L/20-8 | |
| 1992/1A | Bill House | Patagonia | AZ Lutheran | L/56-14 | |
| 1993/4A | Wayne Jones | Mountain View | Howard Breinig | Sahuaro | MtV/63-32 |
| 1994/4A | Howard Breinig | Sahuaro | Peoria | T/17-17 | |
| 1994/2A | Pete Bearse | Benson | St. Johns | L/34-6 | |
| 1995/2A | Ed Shamey | Thatcher | Ray | L/28-6 | |
| 1997/5A | Vern Friedli | Amphi | Mesa Mt View | L/28-24 | |
| 1997/4A | Jeff Scurran | Sabino | Mingus Union | L/23-14 | |
| 1997/1A | John Bryant | St. David | Mogollon | W/58-26 | |
| 1998/4A | Jeff Scurran | Sabino | Agua Fria | W/27-9 | |
| 1998/2A | Jim Hughes | Thatcher | Queen Creek | W/28-12 | |
| 1998/1A | John Bryant | St. David | Orme School | W/48-30 | |
| 1999/5A | Jeff Scurran | Sabino | Mesa Mt View | L/21-14 | |
| 1999/4A | Nemer Hassey | Sahuaro | Chaparral | L/27-10 | |
| 2000/4A | Richard Sanchez | Sunnyside | Chaparral | L/28-14 | |
| 2000/2A | Don Conrad | Thatcher | St. Johns | W/14-13 | |
| 2000/1A | John Bryant | St. David | Bagdad | W/50-8 | |
| 2001/4A | Richard Sanchez | Sunnyside | Greenway (11-3) | W/28-6 | |
| 2001/2A | Don Conrad | Thatcher | Phoenix Christian (11-3) | W/35-26 | |
| 2001/1A | John Bryant | St. David | Joseph City | W/57-43 | |
| 2003/4A | Richard Sanchez | Sunnyside | Cactus | W/21-13 | |
| 2005/4ADI | Jay Campos | Sabino | Cactus | L/30-7 | |
| 2005/4ADII | Todd Mayfield | Palo Verde | Mingus Union | W/15-7 | |
| 2006/5ADII | Richard Sanchez | Sunnyside | Centennial | L/34-0 | |
| 2006/4ADI | Jay Campos | Sabino | Saguaro | L/41-21 | |
| 2006/2A | Don Conrad | Thatcher | Valley Christian | W/42-20 | |
| 2007/4ADI | Pat Nugent | CDO | Saguaro | L/23-21 | |
| 2007/1A | Tony Luzania | Valley Union | Pima | W/28-12 | |
| 2008/4ADII | Jeff Scurran | Santa Rita | Notre Dame Prep | L/30-26 | |
| 2009/4ADI | Dustin Peace | CDO | Jay Campos | Sabino | CDO/40-0 |
| 2009/4ADII | Jeff Scurran | Santa Rita | Cactus | L/14-0 | |
| 2009/2A | Jim Hughes | Willcox | Valley Christian | L/41-32 | |
| 2010/4ADI | Dustin Peace | CDO | Saguaro | L/41-34 | |
| 2011/DII | Nemer Hassey | Cienega | Chaparral | L/37-14 | |
| 2012/DII | Matt Johnson | Ironwood Ridge | Centennial | W/27-3 | |
| 2012/DV | Frank Ogas | Morenci | NW Christian | L/21-7 | |
| 2013/DII | Dennis Bene | Salpointe | Chaparral | W/46-20 | |
| 2015/DIV | Troy Copp | Pusch Ridge | NW Christian | W/14-7 | |
| 2015/DV | Chris Determan | Benson | Joy Christian | L/27-7 | |
| 2015/DVI | Tony Luzania | Valley Union | Pima | L/59-32 | |
| 2016/4A | Jeff Scurran | Catalina Foothills | Saguaro | L/42-14 | |
| 2016/3A | Jay Campos | Sabino | ALA-QC | L/31-14 | |
| 2016/2A | Sean Hinton | Thatcher | Round Valley | W/33-28 | |
| 2017/4A | Dennis Bene | Salpointe | Saguaro | L/28-7 | |
| 2017/3A | Jerry Harris | Pusch Ridge | Casteel | L/35-28 | |
| 2017/2A | Sean Hinton | Thatcher | Santa Cruz | W/28-27 OT | |
| 2018/4A | Dennis Bene | Salpointe | Saguaro | L/42-16 | |
| 2018/2A | Ramon Morales | Thatcher | Round Valley | W/35-12 | |
| 2020/2A | Chris Determan | Benson | Santa Cruz | L/42-7 | |
| 2021/5A | Eric Rogers | Salpointe | Horizon | L/38-28 | |
| 2021/4A | Jake Barro | Casa Grande | Poston Butte | W/33-28 | |
| 2021/2A | Joe Garcia | Morenci | AZ Lutheran | L/28-14 | |
| 2021/1A | Braden Davis | St. David | Mogollon | L/58-12 | |
| 2022/3A | Daniel Jones | Thatcher | Eastmark | L/42-21 | |
| 2022/2A | Joe Garcia | Morenci | Pima | L/59-19 | |
| 2023/4A | Dustin Peace | CDO | Yuma Catholic | W/35-27 | |
| 2023/3A | Ryan McBrayer | Sabino | Paradise Honors | W/68-46 | |
| 2024/4A | Pat Nugent | Mica Mountain | AZ College Prep | W/42-13 | |
| 2024/3A | Kent Middleton | Pusch Ridge | ALA-West Foothills | W/26-7 | |
| 2025/4A | Jay Campos | Mica Mountain | Arcadia | W/42-17 |
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