Kolby Marting is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Desert Mountain High School for AZPreps365.com.

Desert Mountain has seen a lot of talented football players come and go. But they have never had something quite like this year’s senior class.

The football class of 2024 has had success since it stepped onto the field as sophomores. Over the three years, it has gone a combined 31-6, reaching the 5A state-semifinals in both of the last two seasons. 

In their senior season, the Wolves took an even bigger step, qualifying for the Open bracket as the sixth-best team in the state. 

When looking at the senior class, it’s hard not to look past the talent it has at the top. It has players going to Power 5 schools, such as the University of Texas, the University of Arizona, the University of Mississippi, and even the U.S. Naval Academy.

“I think it’s helped us; I think it gives us confidence,” Desert Mountain head coach Conrad Hamilton said. "It has given our organization room to grow and build on, and I think people see that like anything’s possible.”

But there is more to this class than just talent. The bond and relationships they have formed has led them to where they are today.

It started when a lot of them played youth football together. Some of the top players had the option to go play at a big-name program such as Saguaro or Chaparral, but they decided to stay and create something at Desert Mountain.

“I’d say most of the strength of our team comes from how long we have known each other and just how much we can trust each other as a team,” senior outside linebacker Colton Borodkin said. “And not even just the time, but the fact that we’ve all just been friends as well. We met through football, but we continued being friends and growing closer outside of it as well.”

That bond and trust that has been established is what has led to the success of the program under Hamilton. In the three seasons before this group of seniors showed up, the team had two seasons going 3-7 before going 4-3 in the pandemic-shortened season. This class has since changed the culture of Desert Mountain into a culture with much higher expectations.

“I just think they are winners,” Hamilton said. “They’ve won a lot when they were youngsters, but they stuck together, and they weren’t really individualized in that aspect. All of them decided to stick together and come to Desert Mountain and they wanted to win a state championship. I think that mindset and that investment and commitment to be their best helped raise our program to where it is.”

This class had gotten so close to their goal, losing both state-semifinal games by a combined six points. Then coming into their senior year, they were the favorites to win the 5A championship throughout the entire season, before going 9-1 and winning their section, this success was enough for them to be put in the Open bracket. 

Being placed in the Open is a validation of what they have built and what they hope will be something that the younger classes can strive to achieve.

This senior class hopes that the younger classes will be able to take many things from them and continue to better the program.

"Continuously work hard day in and day out and build a really strong bond with you team and your class just like we have,” senior middle linebacker Jack Rold said.