By Andrew Lwowski
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Opening with a statement in the game’s first drive, Desert Mountain (12-3) left no doubt in its dominant 21-7 win over Canyon View (11-3) for the program’s first 5A state championship Friday, Dec. 5 at Mountain America Stadium. 

The Wolves commanded a 11:13 minute game-opening drive, which was capped by Davian Whitener collecting an Easton Conner fumble in the end zone for the game's first points. 

The Jaguars squeaked out just two offensive plays after the Wolves drive that spanned nearly the length of the entire first quarter. 

After the teams traded fumbles, which resulted in empty drives, and a chain of punts, Canyon View found its opportunity. 

An eight yard punt aided by an illegal formation gave Canyon View prime real estate at the Wolves 19-yard line. 

Two plays later, quarterback Brady Scott found receiver Brandon Catalan across the middle for the 21-yard equalizer. 

The Wolves displayed their quick-strike ability on the third possession after the intermission with a one-play, 49-yard dot from quarterback Grant Garduno to receiver Kai Tschen for the lead. 

A chain of seven punts between the two separated Desert Mountain’s nail in the coffin. 

Starting at the Jaguars 48, the Wolves orchestrated a four-play drive with Garduno scrambling to find Jaden Lindley from 13 yards out. 

With the way the game had been going for Canyon View on offense, the Desert Mountain faithful could smell the title despite 10 minutes left to play. 

And the impregnable Wolves defense made sure of it, holding Canyon View, a team averaging 36 points per game to just seven on the state’s biggest stage. 

Despite the win, however, Desert Mountain head coach Conrad Hamilton said he was not pleased with the 17 penalties for 130 yards his team surrendered. 

“At the end of the day, they made enough plays to win the game, " Hamilton said. “And, to be the last man standing, we'll take it. We know we can improve, but we're just very proud of our players and hope that they can remember this moment for the rest of their lives.”

The Jaguars were held to net negative 46 yards rushing while the Wolves outgained them 287 total yards to 88. 

But where there’s glory, there’s pain. 

Canyon View quarterback Brady Scott left the contest in the fourth quarter with a concussion and did not return. 

First year coach J.R. Alcantar said his absence hurt, but leaned on a valuable message from his father. 

“My dad always taught me that coaches lose games and players win them. After the game I told the boys I’m going to get it back for them,” Alcantar said.

“They’re a team that’s already been in the Open … Coach Hamilton’s done a great job. We’re young, too. We’ll be back next year.”

Canyon View had no answer for the Desert Mountain defensive line, which had nine sacks for a loss of 77 yards and limited the Jaguars offense to just 16:45 time of possession. 

Wolves running back Easton Conner logged 118 all-purpose yards. Ryan Donough earned game defensive MVP honors after contributing on special teams and tallying seven tackles and 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble. 

“I think our defense is very versatile,” Donough said. “We have so many different coverages and blitzes, and I think the quarterback didn't really know what was going on.”

Desert Mountain ended the season with five consecutive wins, with three coming on the road. 

“We're all accountable with each other, and that's what happens when everyone loves each other,” Donough said. “Everyone wants to put their body on the line for each other.”

Andrew Lwowski
Reporter | North Valley

alwowski@iniusa.org

Andrew Lwowski graduated from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism. He worked for then-Wrangler News -- now Wrangler News Tempe Independent -- for a little over three years before moving to Southwest Washington for a daily news paper covering prep sports. He relocated back to the Valley writing for the Fountain Hills Times Independent in October 2025 where he is covering community news and sports.