When I was a young, wet-behind-the-ears reporter in 1978, I was assigned to cover a few games of the Joseph City High football team.

That remains one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

The Arizona Republic had what was called “prep tours’’ in those days when reporters would actually visit the high schools around the state, not just in the metropolitan areas.

One of my stops was at Joseph City, just west of Holbrook on Interstate 40 in northern Arizona.

I appreciated the hospitality of then-coach Charles Esquibel and his team. Esquibel’s son, Robert, was the quarterback, and the team had several other top-notch players such as Randy Fish, who if memory serves me correctly was a defensive back.

I followed the Wildcats mostly from afar during the season, and covered the Class 1A eight-man championship game, won by Joseph City.

I was stunned in the spring of 1979 when I was asked to speak at the school’s graduation. There certainly were others more qualified, but I drove up and managed to make it through.

In the years since, I have tried to keep track of the Wildcats, even their teams other than football.

This year, the team won its third straight title (now Division VI), with coach John Bryant leading the way. Bryant has now won nine football titles – three at Joseph City, two at Pima and four at St. David. What an accomplishment!

I’m sure the people of Joseph City are proud of what their teams have done. It is refreshing to go to a smaller community like that and see how everyone comes together.