Desert Vista improbably defeated Hamilton 45-19 for the state championship behind a dominating running game and an early defensive touchdown that changed the landscape of the game. Hamilton was looking to win their fourth consecutive title and had their state recored 53-game winning streak snapped at the worst possible time. All credit goes to the Desert Vista players and coaching staff for putting together a game plan and executing that plan to perfection. The loss was the worst in Hamilton history.
It started on the first drive, as Desert Vista ran a lot of triple option behind an offensive line that seemed overmatched heading into this game. However, the misdirection runs and flat out effort given by the offensive line drove them down the field and into the end zone for an early 7-0 lead. They followed that up with a Matt Young interception of Hamilton quarterback Blake Kemp's second pass attempt, which Young ran back for a score and a 14-0 lead. The interception return gave Desert Vista all the momentum, and Hamilton simply couldn't alter that momentum throughout the game.
After holding the offense in check and preventing the big plays Hamilton is known for and perhaps dependent on, Desert Vista took another possession 84-yards down the field with their running attack. Running back Michael Arredondo finished the drive with a 1-yard plunge and the rout was on. They pushed the lead to 31-7 before Hamilton's best weapon, Kendyl Taylor, was able to get going. However, it was far too late and the Hamilton defense, which was thought to be the best in the state, never had an answer.
In the regular season meeting between these teams, Hamilton controlled the line of scrimmage and controlled the clock in a lopsided 35-10 victory. It was a complete reversal in the final as Desert Vista possessed the ball for nearly 14 more minutes and pushed the vaunted Hamilton defensive tackles, Jaxon Hood and Calvin Thomas, around up front. In one of the biggest upsets of Arizona championship history, Desert Vista demonstrated confidence from the opening kickoff and amazingly never punted the entire game. Congratulations to the Ahwatukee team for playing their best game on the biggest stage and earning the 2011 Division I title.
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