Arizona football: Denson commits to Cats

Cameron Denson, catching a TD pass for Salpointe, has numerous offers, but UA has always been his top choice.

Arizona football: Denson commits to Cats

Cameron Denson decided where he wanted to play college football a couple of days before Christmas.

Greg Hansen: Honk for Ollie, a coach who cared

Long after Ollie Mayfield coached his last state championship team at Tucson High, a decade after he rescued Sabino from an 0-23 streak and built the Sabercats into a first-rank football program, he quietly agreed to coach the Middle Park High School Panthers, aptly named for their location …

Greg Hansen: Honk for Ollie, a coach who cared

After taking Tucson High to two state titles, Ollie Mayfield turned winless Sabino into a playoff team in 1977, including this 9-7 victory over Salpointe.

Greg Hansen: Honk for Ollie, a coach who cared

Ollie was a regular on the Palo Verde sidelines in 2005, when his son, Todd Mayfield, coached the Titans to their first football state title since 1973.

Division II state football championship: Ironwood Ridge 27, Peoria Centennial 3: I-Ridge captures title

Ironwood Ridge coach Matt Johnson holds the championship trophy as the Nighthawks celebrate the school's second state title in a team sport.

Division II state football championship: Ironwood Ridge 27, Peoria Centennial 3: I-Ridge captures title

Ironwood Ridge running back Anthony Braunreiter leaps through an opening in the Centennial defense in the second quarter at Sun Devil Stadium.

Division II state football championship: Ironwood Ridge 27, Peoria Centennial 3: I-Ridge captures title

TEMPE - The day began quietly.

Division II state football championship: Ironwood Ridge vs. Peoria Centennial: No joking, Nighthawks' opponent knows how to win big games

High school football state playoffs

Division II state football championship: No joking, Nighthawks' opponent knows how to win big games

The past three weeks, right before his team has taken the field, Ironwood Ridge coach Matt Johnson has told his team a joke.

HS football: Top performers, Oct. 26

Cienega 50, Douglas 6

Adriell Alvarado

Cienega 50, Douglas 6

At Cienega, the Bobcats (8-2) jumped out to an early 22-0 lead via the air and cruised to an easy win over the Bulldogs (1-9), setting up a possible home game in the first round of the Division II state playoffs. Cienega racked up 426 yards of offense.

Sahuarita 49, Catalina 7

Lee

Sahuarita 49, Catalina 7

At Sahuarita, senior Chris Snodgrass rushed for three first-half touchdowns and finished the game with 150 yards on 18 carries while the Mustangs (10-0) completed their first undefeated regular season. Catalina finished 4-6.

High school football: Pound for pound the best

After Johnny Peña's 30th carry, a 13-yard gain straight up the middle, Salpointe Catholic wide receiver Cameron Denson turned to the Ironwood Ridge sideline and told the Nighthawks players and coaches something they all already knew.

Nogales 56, Pueblo 7

At Nogales, the Apaches (8-2) finished the regular season with a big win over Pueblo (3-7). Four different players scored TDs for Nogales, including a 1-yard run from nose tackle Edgar Teran. Brian McCarty scored 4 TDs in the win.

Pusch Ridge Christian 48, Rio Rico 37

Taylor Fitzgerald

Pusch Ridge Christian 48, Rio Rico 37

At Pusch Ridge, down 10-7 at the half, the Lions (6-4) scored 41 points in the second half to edge past the Hawks (3-7). Rio Rico RB Aaron Fanning had 202 total yards of offense, three rushing TDs and another receiving in the loss.

Phoenix Christian 64, Tanque Verde 28

At Tanque Verde, the Hawks (1-9) completed their second season of 11-man football by rushing for 246 yards. Senior quarterback Connor Drenkhahn ran for a score and a team-high 138 yards. He also threw a pair of touchdown passes.