No. 1 seed Yuma Catholic is an offensive machine that doesn't flinch if it gives up a couple scores a game. No. 2 Tempe Prep plays games close to the vest relying on a ground game that eats clock and a defense more often than not that neutralizes good offenses.

That's the gist of these teams as they battle Saturday afternoon (Nov. 29) for the second time this season. Rather than the season opener, it's the final test for both as they compete for the Division V football title at North Canyon  High School.

Yuma Catholic (13-0) seeks a repeat and a third title in four years. Added incentive is a perfect season -- 14-0 -- that has not happened for Rhett Stallworth and his club since the school opened just after the new milllennium began. Yuma Catholic's offense begins with quarterback Jagan Cleary and all-purpose back Carter Rodriguez. The numbers the duo have produced are staggering. Cleary has completed 67 percent of his passes, good for 3,485 yards. He has a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 49-5. Cleary passed for 406 yards and six TDs vs. Tempe Prep back on Aug. 29, connecting with five different receivers for scores (Rodriguez was not one of them). Rodriguez lines up everywhere and is virtually unstoppable. Rodriguez has rushed for 916 yards (averaging 10 yards a carry) and has 47 catches for 862 yards. He's found the end zone 32 times all told.

The firepower doesn't stop there. Wide outs Donovan Rooks (51 receptions, 1,198 yards and 16 TDs) and Julian Aitken (27-523-5) demand attention as does tight end and Oregon State commit Matt Pistone (38-517-15). Yuma Catholic averages 52 points a game. Pistone is a force on defense from his end position with linebackers Moises Barcenas and Gabe Nunez racking up their share of tackles and Treyshon Malone and Alex Olsen patrolling the secondary. 

Tempe Prep (12-1) is in uncharted territory with its first-ever title appearance in football. The Knights have won 12 games in a row since the loss to Yuma Catholic (56-27). Tempe Prep spreads the carries around, relying primarily on Zach Brittain and Jake Hartzler. The postseason has seen Dan Hiser, Jesse Brittain and  Isaiah Brittain get some carries as wel;. Zach Brittain leads the team with 837 yards and Hartzler is next with 560. Isaiah Brittain gets a few of the short-yardage calls particularly deep in the red zone.

Tempe Prep doesn't throw much, but can be effective. In their quarterfinal and semifinal victories over Joy Christian and Arizona Lutheran, respectively, quarterback Jesse Brittain has a pair of TD tosses. The main targets are Hiser, Jonah Simmiger, Gabe LeBeau and Zach Brittain. The Knights' defense must come up big to deny Yuma Catholic a repeat. It's a solid unit collectively, led by tackles Nico Zwemke and Cameron Burgin, end Connor Woltz, linebacker Zach Brittain and safety Hiser.

The game plan for Tempe Prep figures to be its usual ground-and-pound attack, playing keep away from Yuma Catholic. Time-consuming drives must produce points  for the Knights. Yuma Catholic is adept at scoring and striking quickly with its array of skill-position talent. In two meetings with Yuma Catholic the last two years, slowing Cleary has been problematic. Cleary has passed for 668 yards and eight TDs vs. the Knights, including last year's regular-season 24-0 victory.