Eliav GabayVideo by Devon Henry
When a total of 14 points are scored in the first half, you know only those that truly understand the nitty gritty of a defensive squabble on the gridiron can appreciate the matchup.
That was the case between No. 9 Desert Mountain and No. 6 Canyon View.
There’s something beautiful about defense and special teams having a bigger impact on the game than the usual high octane offensive showings.
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THE DESERT MOUNTAIN WOLVES ARE STATE CHAMPIONS! 🏆 #FridayNight360AZ #AZHSFB
AIA 5A Conference Championship
#9 @DMWolvesFB 21
#6 @CVjagsfootball 7
FINAL pic.twitter.com/Dx289ZHF14— Devon Henry (@devonhenry77) December 6, 2025
To this point, Canyon View’s offense averaged a whopping 41 points per game in the postseason – so this lower scoring affair was not exactly what they were used to.
On the contrary, Desert Mountain averaged just under 28 points per game and, even more astounding, held their opponents to just over 12 points per game in the playoffs.
Safe to say the Wolves were most accustomed to these kind of games, and it showed…even though there was a ton of laundry thrown by the refs.
In the second half, the offense started to click after a few miraculous defensive plays by senior and Georgetown commit Ryan McDonough.
It helps when Kai Tschen & Jaden Lindley rip off a couple massive touchdowns to support the cause.
HUUUUUUUGE DIFFERENT MAKER FOR DESERT MOUNTAIN! @GrantGarduno goes DEEEEEP & finds @kaitschen19 for the touchdown! 🏈 DMHS takes the lead! #FridayNight360AZ #AZHSFB
AIA 5A Conference Championship
#9 @DMWolvesFB 14
#6 @CVjagsfootball 7
Q3 8:52 pic.twitter.com/pZOsqtlWUD— Devon Henry (@devonhenry77) December 6, 2025
Toward the end of the final period, while the Jaguars were still searching for more points than the seven they had in the first half, the Wolves were able to put up another 14.
En route to their matchup on Frank Kush Field, DM had to take down No. 8 Cactus, No. 1 Desert Edge, and No. 5 Horizon, so to say they’ve earned this opportunity is quite the understatement.
The led extends for Desert Mountain! @GrantGarduno releases while he’s hit & drops it in to Jaden Lindley for the touchdown! #FridayNight360AZ #AZHSFB
AIA 5A Conference Championship
#9 @DMWolvesFB 21
#6 @CVjagsfootball 7
Q4 10:19 pic.twitter.com/tMl9L99IRf— Devon Henry (@devonhenry77) December 6, 2025
When they say defense wins championships, this is exactly what they’re referring to. In any sport, it’s the one thing you can count on in any situation cause it’s about the will to win…and Desert Mountain showed that will until they were crowned 5A State Champions:
.@DMWolvesFB IS YOUR 5A STATE CHAMPION 🏆 pic.twitter.com/9GzaJl4Jau
— Sports360AZ (@Sports360AZ) December 6, 2025
