Another season is in the books. 

It’s bittersweet in many ways. The end of the football season is one that is always tough, mostly because I’m a football fanatic. But it’s also exciting to see teams, and specifically seniors, celebrate championship wins. 

That was the case for four more teams this past weekend. 

Mica Mountain defends 4A title

The Mica Mountain Thunderbolts were written off midway through the season after they appeared more vulnerable than during last year’s state championship run. But they know how to play football in November. 

They came up to Tempe and knocked off Arcadia, which was chasing its first title in five decades and was the favorite to win the gold ball. 

The Thunderbolts were dominant in the title game, beating Arcadia 42-17. Colin Axford rushed for 119 yards in the win. Quarterback Jaidyn Christ passed for 264 yards and three touchdowns. 

Conrad Hamilton leads Desert Mountain to first championship

It took years for Conrad Hamilton to finally hoist a gold ball with Desert Mountain. 

He built the Wolves into a powerhouse in a short amount of time, making semifinal appearances in 5A and the Open Division quarterfinals. 

Finally, after they had the opportunity to play for the championship and made the most of it, knocking off Canyon View 21-7. 

The Wolves’ defense was the star of the show, limiting Canyon View’s high-powered offense. Offensively for the Wolves, Grant Garduno passed for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Easton Connor rushed for 86 yards. 

Casteel claims first big schools state title 

I, for one, owe Casteel an apology. I doubted the Colts all season, thinking a coaching change would set them back. Boy, was I wrong. 

Casteel made it to the Open Division play-in and played well enough to prove it belonged. The Colts then went on to the 6A tournament, where they ran the table and hoisted the gold ball at the 6A level for the first time. 

Casteel knocked off Centennial, 42-27, in the final, stifling the Coyotes defense in the process. 

Junior quarterback Tee Smith was electric in the title game, passing for 236 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 172 yards and two more scores. Only a junior, Smith has the chance to win another one with the Colts next season. 

Basha dominates Chandler to win second Open championship

Jake Rogers has had plenty of legacy games since taking over for Brodie Vehrs at quarterback for Basha this season. 

The junior was put into a tough position, as he was thrust into action against a full-strength Hamilton team on a war path. But he settled into the position and shined, leading Basha to an undefeated season since the loss and the Bears’ second Open Division championship. 

Rogers went 20-of-27 for 289 yards and a touchdown in the win. He also rushed for a touchdown and added 37 of the team’s 202 total rushing yards, which were mostly attributed to the dynamic duo of Joshua Gaines and Noah Roberts. 

The Basha defense shined in shutting down Chandler’s offense, which was one of the best all season and especially in the playoffs. 

Looking ahead to the future

Like always, the team at AZV now turns to basketball and other winter sports. JJ Digos is coaching the Apache Junction women’s soccer program, Adam Beadle is focusing on Arizona State athletics. Gregg Rosenberg and Jacob Seliga will focus heavily on basketball, while Chris Eaton continues to shine in the football space.

Ralph Amsden will continue to do what he does best in the Spaces scene. So where does that leave me?

As I write this on Dec. 9, 2025, I am on day 10 of a 15-day trip to Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo. I am one of the main PR contacts for media here in Las Vegas, opening the media room at the Thomas & Mack Center each morning and working until about 10 or 11 p.m. every night. It’s tiring, but also exhilerating.

Working for the PRCA has been a dream so far, one that I never imagined I would thrive in. I still have a long way to go but I’m enjoying it.

As for Arizona Varsity, I’m going to take the next few days to focus on the remaining rounds of the NFR until we crown world champions on Saturday night. After that, you can expect me to dive deep into basketball alongside the gang and any other areas where I see my writing fit.

A quick shoutout

I want to take a moment to shout out the entire team at Arizona Varsity. They don’t need to hear it from me, but they absolutely killed it this season.

But I want to especially recognize Adam Beadle. The kid is a rockstar.

I feel like I was pretty dialed in to the high school sports scene when I was in Arizona working for the East Valley Tribune. I broke numerous stories, had scoops and grinded to get to a position where I felt I was successful. Adam has done that and more. He took over for me on the radio show, took over my nightly segment on the Friday Night Wrap Up with Cody Cameron and has become the new go-to for everything East Valley.

No, he isn’t the next Zach Alvira. He’s Adam Beadle. He’s carving his own path and I wholeheartedly believe he will become the best sports reporter in Arizona very soon.

As for me, there will come a time where I step away. Living in Colorado with two kids, a beautiful wife and a job that allows me the opportunity to travel to places I have never been and cover events that are entirely new to me is exciting.

I’m not saying I’m stepping away from high school sports now or even in the next few months, but it is coming. I can feel it.

Arizona high school sports holds a special place in my heart and I can’t give it up just yet, or ever. But taking a step back will be the right thing to do at some point.

But, for now, it’s on to winter sports.