As the defense for Saguaro High School took the field Saturday afternoon at the University of Arizona to compete for the program’s fifth consecutive state championship, it did so with a chip on each others' collective shoulders and something to prove.

In the weeks prior, the Sabercats defense heard a lot of discussion about the dominance of the Salpointe Catholic offensive unit, highlighted by a bruising line and a talented running back in Bijan Robinson, who came into Saturday statistically the eighth best back in the state with 1,859 yards rushing on the year. That was something Saguaro took to heart.

“There was a lot said about Salpointe’s offensive line and rightfully so, I don’t want to take anything away from them —very good, very physical, very well coached,” said Saguaro head coach Jason Mohns. “There was a lot said about their offensive line and their run game, and not a ton said about our defense. We wanted to come out here and prove a point.”

And prove a point they did. The Sabercats defense shut out the Lancers offense while conceding just 225 yards to an offense which came into Saturday averaging 387.4 yards and 40.8 points per game. The only Salpointe score coming off a 99-yard kick off return from return man Mario Padilla as Saguaro rolled 28-7, continuing its 4A dominance.

The key to the Sabercats' success was the ability to keep a dynamic run game for Salpointe, which averaged 276 yards per game coming into Saturday -- including a 496-yard performance two weeks ago -- to just 146 yards on the ground. The Sabercats did so keying on Robinson, who despite finishing with 159 yards, was held to just 67 yards through three quarters and kept out of the end zone all day.

“(Robinson’s) a great running back,” said junior linebacker Connor Soelle, who led Saguaro with 11 tackles on the day. “But as long as you have trust in each other, I think any defense can be great and we all trust each other, we all have each other’s backs, and anytime someone messes up, we’ll pick them up and that’s what led us to be great.”

Aside from dominance up front, the Saguaro defense showed its prowess in the secondary as well, forcing Salpointe into two key interceptions, each of which were converted into touchdowns.

The first of these came with 5:41 remaining in the second quarter when safety Josiah Bradley stepped in front of a Rodrigo Nieto pass and returned it 18 yards to the Salpointe 37. The Saguaro offense would punch it in six plays later, taking at 14-0 lead and opening up what had been a defensive struggle.

In fitting fashion, following a Lancers second-half push, it would take one last defensive stand close out the game. On a fourth-and-goal from the Saguaro 18 and the Lancers trailing 21-7 with under seven minutes remaining, the Saguaro pass rush, led by linemen Jayden Swink and Michael Maafu, forced Nieto out of the pocket who slipped down at the 20-yard line and forcing a turnover on downs. It all but sealed the title for Saguaro.

For the Sabercats, the victory marks the yet another chapter in the dominating dynasty which has seen nine titles in 11 years, including five in the Mohns era. But for Mohns, the success is credited to the work, dedication and consistency of the many individuals who have built and maintained the program.

“It’s really a testament to our coaching staff and our kids,” said Mohns. “They’ve stayed hungry, they’ve stayed humble, and continue to work hard every year because we’re not tired of this feeling. This is a great feeling, you get used to it and you don’t want it to ever end.”