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)
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