2025 High School Football

Mica Mountain defends 4A title by downing top-ranked Arcadia

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Mica Mountain’s Evan Wheeler, who never played a season of organized football until this year, was the 4A state championship Offensive MVP and Player of the Game after tallying 194 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the 42-17 win over Arcadia (Gilbert Alcaraz/AllSportsTucson.com)

TEMPE — When the lights shine bright, some athletes shine even brighter. That was the case for the No. 7 Mica Mountain Thunderbolts, who took down No. 1 Arcadia 42-17 in the 4A state championship game Friday at Mountain America Stadium. It was a historical moment, as the Bolts became just the third big school from Southern Arizona to repeat as state champions and the first team to do it since Canyon del Oro in 1976 and 1977.

“It means everything,” Mica Mountain quarterback Jaidyn Crist said about being only the third big school from the Tucson area to win back-to-back titles. “We’re bringing a lot of public spotlight to Southern Arizona. I think we have some of the best athletes in all of Arizona and we’re going to keep showcasing.”

“It’s awesome,” athlete Evan Wheeler said. “It’s crazy to think about. I’m just so grateful… It’s kind of surreal right now, but I’m sure tomorrow it’s going to be very crazy.”

“I’m just proud we’re able to represent Southern Arizona and Tucson and do a good job with that,” Mica Mountain coach Jay Campos said. “We love Tucson. We love our Vail community. We’re just really proud to be able to come out here and represent and bring that trophy back to Tucson where it belongs.”

Not only was it the first time a big school from Southern Arizona went back-to-back in nearly 50 years, it also was a defining moment for Campos. In his 15th year as a head coach, Campos earned his first championship win after taking Sabino to the big game four times but finished runner-up each time.

Campos now advances to 145-37, meaning he’s won about 80-percent of his games as head coach.

Breaking down the game

Arcadia, which lost its first game and finished 13-1, won the toss and elected to defer, putting Mica Mountain’s offense to the test first.

It was a rough opening drive for the Bolts, who punted the ball away. Arcadia took over and was able to drive down the field, capitalizing on a short pass from Zach Smith to Ryan Jimenez who fought his way in for a touchdown. The extra-point attempt by Caleb Young was good, making it 7-0 Arcadia with 5:59 remaining in the first quarter.

It was the first time Mica Mountain (12-2 after winning its last 10 games) had trailed in a football game since Oct. 10 against Walden Grove in the second quarter, when it trailed 7-3.

Mica’s offense was able to find some life on the following drive. After moving the chains, Crist was able to find a wide open Wheeler for a 29-yard touchdown. The extra-point attempt by Riley Carson was good, making it tied at 7 with 2:08 remaining in the first quarter.

On the first snap of Arcadia’s following drive, Mica Mountain was able to score on a pick-six by Sergio Reygada after the pass by Smith was tipped. Carson’s kick was good, extending Mica’s lead to 14-7 with 2:01 remaining in the first quarter.

“In my opinion, that was the momentum switch that we needed,” Carson said. “We had never seen a team smack us in the mouth like that like they did on that first drive, and Sergio putting his hands up and coming down with that ball, you can’t ask for a better football play.”

Later in the second quarter, Young was able to put up a 36-yard field goal to cut Mica Mountain’s lead to 14-10 with 8:34 remaining in the half.

On the next drive for Mica Mountain, Crist delivered another touchdown pass to Wheeler, this one from 63 yards out, to extend the Bolts’ lead. The kick from Carson was good, making it 21-10 with 5:46 remaining before halftime.

Arcadia was able to answer with a touchdown of its own, as Smith was able to find Grayson Mcintosh for a 27-yard touchdown pass. The extra-point was good, making it 21-17 with 2:49 left in the half.

On the kickoff, Carson took the ball to the house for a 99-yard touchdown run. He then went out to kick the extra point, which he drilled, pushing the lead back out to 28-17 with 2:30 left before the half.

“To be honest, I couldn’t have done it without our blocks,” Carson said.

Neither team was able to do anything more, and both teams went into the locker room hungry for a championship with just 24 minutes left to play.

Coming back out of the half, Arcadia got the ball. After progressing to the red zone, a fumble on a run play was recovered by Deacon Pancost for the Bolts.

It took only three snaps, but Crist was once again able to connect with Wheeler, this time for a 96-yard touchdown pass. Carson’s kick was good, making the score 35-17 with 2:49 remaining in the third quarter as the Bolts started to pull away.

It was with 10:36 remaining in the game when Mica Mountain really solidified the chances of repeating as state champions. On a quarterback keeper, Crist was able to reach the end zone with a 5-yard run to extend the lead. Carson’s kick was good, making it 42-17.

Arcadia had a chance to cut Mica Mountain’s lead after a fumble was recovered by Arcadia’s Joseph Hala with about 5:30 left to play. The Titans, however, were unable to do anything with their great field position, turning the ball over on downs.

As time dwindled down, Mica Mountain became closer and closer to repeating as 4A champs. On their final drive, the Bolts ran out the last minute and and half by kneeling the ball down twice before running over to the sidelines to celebrate with their team.

Before being awarded the 4A state championship trophy, the AIA handed out three awards; Offensive MVP, Defensive MVP, and Player of the Game. Raygada won the Defensive MVP honor for his pick-6, while Wheeler, a first-year football player who is a baseball talent, won both the Offensive MVP and the Player of the Game.

“[Evan]’s incredible, that’s my guy, I couldn’t be more thankful,” Crist said. “That’s his first year playing football, so for a stud athlete to come out like that and have three touchdowns in a state championship game, it’s special.”

“I’ll tell you he’s a great athlete,” Campos said.

“For me, personally, being in this spot is a big surprise,” Wheeler said. “I didn’t expect this for me, but I’m glad I did it. I’m just grateful they accepted me and took me in. They’re my brothers, really.”

After honoring the outstanding players of the game, the AIA finally presented the Bolts with their trophy, which they hoisted proudly into the air as everyone went crazy.

Crist finished with 264 yards passing (9 of 13) with three touchdowns, Colin Axford rushed for 102 yards on 12 carries, Wheeler pulled in 194 yards receiving on four catches and Blake Beltz had 11 tackles for Mica Mountain.

What’s next

Mica Mountain will now say goodbye to 25 seniors, many of whom will end their high school football careers with a win on one of the biggest stages out there. While it’s a bittersweet moment for those seniors, they can walk away from the program knowing they helped set the standard moving forward.

“There’s no better feeling in the world,” Crist said. “This is amazing. I couldn’t be more thankful for my group of guys and to finish my last high school game on top with everyone.”

Meanwhile for the rest of the players returning, Campos says the team can finally take some time to stop and appreciate their accomplishment for a moment, but they can’t focus on it for long.

“I told the kids today we can take a week to enjoy this, and then it’s time to go for that three-peat,” Campos said.

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