Before this season started, the senior classes of Sabino and American Leadership could argue confidently that they possessed the leadership to guide their teams to the 3A Conference state championship game.

But a handful of other 3A teams also could make the same case. Sabino and American Leadership were the final teams standing, though, with one game left to play. 

Sabino and American Leadership are battle-tested and experienced, which should make for a good championship game come Saturday at Chaparral High. Sabino and American Leadership can thank each other for preparing them for the 3A final.

The squads dueled in a tight battle in Week 2, won by Sabino 16-13, handing American Leadership its only loss of the year. But throw out that score, because a lot has changed since their last meeting.

American Leadership defeated Sabino despite playing without its injured starting quarterback, Dallin Edwards. As for Sabino, it began to move Drew Dixon to different spots to take advantage of his versatility after the Week 2 game. 

Dixon, a University of Arizona commit, is the focal point of Sabino’s offense, whether he’s lining up at quarterback, wide receiver or in the backfield.

“We have to be aware of where Dixon is at all times,” said American Leadership coach Rich Edwards during Tuesday’s Media Day event at Famous Dave’s in Mesa.

But Dixon isn’t the only senior that makes Sabino go.

Helping keep the focus off Dixon is wide receiver Andrew Carlsen, who had his highest receiving game totals this season during the playoffs. Carlsen had a season high 163 receiving yards last week and has 21 receptions for 402 yards and four touchdowns in Sabino’s three playoff games this season.  

“(Carlsen) worked really hard in the offseason to get better,” Dixon said. “He’s a play maker.”

Defensively, Sabino is led by another senior standout, linebacker James Offerman, the team’s leader in tackles.

“(Offerman) never stops,” Dixon said. “He tries to make every tackle and has a strong work ethic.”

Sabino’s senior class has only lost one game in their high school career and has never lost to an Arizona team.

But there is a junior, quarterback Alex Bell, who also is a difference maker for Sabino (12-1). The quarterback gets most of the reps when Dixon (11 TD passes, 2 INTs) doesn’t line up behind center and has responded, throwing 18 touchdown passes and just four interceptions.

Bell was suspended for two games this season for unspecified reasons, but the time off helped the young man.

“Alex came back a better quarterback,” Dixon said. “He’s making better reads and matured a lot.”

Against American Leadership, Sabino’s threats will need to protect the football, Sabino coach Jay Campo said.

Campos said that his team also needs to control the clock. That means that Sabino will have to finish drives, something its failed to do a couple of times during the playoffs and during its first meeting against American Leadership. 

Saturday may mark Campos’ last game as Sabino’s successful coach. The only thing that’s missing for the coach is a state title.

The last time Sabino won a championship was in 1998. Jeff Scurran, who will coach Catalina Foothills in the 4A Conference final on Saturday, was Sabino’s coach in 1998 and in 1992 and 1990, when Sabino also won titles.

“If it’s my last game, then playing for a state championship is what I want to be doing,” Campos said.

It didn’t take American Leadership long to play for a ring.

The program is only five years old and is under the direction of a coach without much coaching experience. Edwards was a home builder for a long time before American Leadership’s football program came knocking four seasons ago. 

Besides being the “CEO” of the team, Edwards is also now his school’s athletic director. Edwards played in college as well as for Jesse Parker at Mesa Mountain View, where another American Leadership coach, offensive coordinator Max Hall, also played. 

American Leadership went 13-1, 11-2 and 9-2 in its past three seasons and reached a state semifinal last year.

“We were disappointed we lost in the semifinals last year,” Edwards said. “But we have been building toward this (state championship game.)”

Like Sabino, American Leadership also has been blessed with a strong senior class and excellent coaching.

Quarterback Dallin Edwards, running back Jermiah Boyd, tight end Donovan Hannah and outside linebacker Farrell Memmott will play in their final high school game Saturday for American Leadership.

Those senior leaders have stepped up throughout this season. Boyd was expected to follow his big year last with another big campaign this year, and with 1,439 rushing yards and team-high 22 touchdowns this season he didn’t disappoint. Boyd and his brother, Bujon, a junior who is second on the team with 12 touchdowns, are Florida natives but already feel at home in Arizona.

The expectations were also high for the 6-foot-7 Hanna, a BYU tight end commit, who is leading his 13-1 American Leadership with 952 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns. Edwards missed some time this year, but continued to be a dual threat upon his return. 

He rushed 21 times for 170 yards in American Leadership’s physical quarterfinal game against Florence and has also passed for seven touchdowns in the playoffs.

For a free 2-6A state championship program, go here.