Brendan Sodell is a student journalist from the Cronkite School/Arizona State University, covering high school sports for the AIA

SCOTTSDALE -- Heber Mogollon High School has taken the 8-man football scene by storm the past two years. On Saturday at Coronado High School, the Mustangs galloped to a 58-12 win in the 1A state championship game over St. David High School. The triumph highlighted Mogollon's 21st straight victory and its second straight state championship.

Mogollon finished a perfect 12-0 during the 2021 campaign, beating St. David in the regular season as well, 48-26. The Mustangs won their dozen contests by an average of more than 50 points, and proved their dominace by nearly matching that number in the state championship.

Mogollon celebrates its second consecutive championship in front of their friends and family. - Brendan Sodell - AZPreps365

 

From the game's first drive Mogollon kept its foot on the gas pedal, scoring on every offensive posession until their last one. The Mustang offense was too much for St. David to handle, as it had been for every opposing defense this season.

The Mustangs were led by senior quarterback Cael Porter, who threw a perfect 8-8 for 232 yards and five touchdowns. Three of Porter's scoring passes went for 35 or more yards. He looked nearly unstoppable, and was the key factor in the offense's consistency. After building the early lead, Mogollon's run game shifted into full effect. St. David couldn't find an answer throughout any point of the night. Porter even added a rushing touchdown of his own, along with 91 rushing yards.

Mogollon High School celebrates their 1A state championship win

Mogollon has been a juggernaut all season long, and they showed why they're the worthy state champions. The Mustangs had just under 350 total yards before halftime, which is what some teams fail to reach in an entire game. Their defense was stellar as well, only giving up two touchdowns, and having two scorless quarters.

Mogollon may be from the small town of Heber, and have only 200 students attending their school, but they have found the perfect roster and strategy to dominate 8-man football. With back-to-back championships under coach Richard Samon, this program seems to be one that will stay at the top for a long, long time.