It had plenty of reasons to, but Phoenix Christian didn’t celebrate wildly.

For starters, the Cougars are state championship bound for the first time since 2008. Thatcher negated that accomplishment the previous three seasons — twice in the state semifinals.

On Saturday at Arcadia High, Phoenix Christian finally took down Thatcher in the semifinals, 28-0. But this wasn’t the dominant 2A Conference Thatcher team Phoenix Christian is used to facing.

This year’s new crop of Thatcher starters shouldn’t feel slighted by that.

Reaching the semifinals with an entirely new starting roster and without a couple of key injured players is a big deal. This year’s Thatcher squad gave its best to help its program become the first 2A team to win four consecutive championships.

It just ran into a more potent team that’s been playing like one of the favorites this year. Phoenix Christian (12-1) was the first team to shut out 8-5 Thatcher since 2009.

“I’m happy for our guys,” Phoenix Christian coach Brian Cole said. “I thought we played lights out. I thought our defense played great, and we are really excited to be going to the championship.”

Another 2019 contender, Round Valley, will be Phoenix Christian’s opponent in Friday’s 2A title tilt.

Phoenix Christian’s primary weapon, running back Man-Man Freeman, increased his 2A touchdown lead to 37 after scoring three times Saturday. Another threat, Howard Russell, scored his 20th touchdown to set the tone early for No. 3 seed Phoenix Christian.

Russell caught an Adrian Fleming 36-yard touchdown pass on a 4th and 17 play during their team’s opening drive.

From there, Freeman and Phoenix Christian’s defense took control. Freeman’s scoring runs travelled 36, 32 and 1 yard.

“It feels great,” Freeman said. “We wanted this win for the past three years. Our scout team gave us a great look this week and got us ready for Thatcher.”

Thatcher’s biggest offensive plays in the game came when quarterback Mark Wren ran the ball twice around the right end with a trio of running backs blocking.

Thatcher’s defense did a better job of containing Phoenix Christian in the second half. Saturday’s game may have been the last for coach Ramon Morales.

He has dedicated about 35 years to Thatcher’s football program.

“They (Phoenix Christian) are a good team,” Morales said. “They just caught us on our heels. Not having our best two running backs, you can see it, made a difference, and they were defensive guys also. But we don’t have any excuses. We got outplayed. That’s a good team. We were trying to do something that hadn’t been done before, and the reason why it hasn’t been done is because it’s so darn hard. But we gave it a shot.”