Basha completed its first season Friday night under new coach Bernie Busken and completed a clean sweep of the 5A Central Region at the same time in front of its home crowd.

Building a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter, the Bears rode a solid defensive effort and more big pass plays to a 27-7 win over Mountain View to clinch the school's first outright region football title

Basha, which entered play Friday second in the 5A-I power rankings, likely maintained its hold on that spot. The Bears improved to 9-1 overall. Passing quarterback Kyle Duran tossed two touchdown passes to wide out Dezjon Walker and running quarterback Matt Horton added a short run for a score. Duran also heaved a 75-yard TD pass to Devin Reed on a flea flicker on the opening play of the second quarter.

The Bears ability to produce big plays coupled with Mountain View's inability to do the same were keys to the game. Mountain View also missed out on a good scoring opportunity in the second period and a muffed punt a few moments later  that stymied efforts to cut into Basha's 14-0 lead. Basha led 20-0 before Mountain View managed its lone scoring drive of the contest. That one took 15 plays and chewed up 83 yards.

The game was Busken's first against his former team, one he coached to three state titles(1996, 1997 and 1999) between 1995-2001. Busken found it eerie to see the Toro red and blue on the opposite side of the field.
 

"I saw a (No.) 47 and it was weird because I had four brothers wear that number at Mountain View," Busken said. "... I have a lot of friends over there. But I'm a Basha Bear now. I think we're getting better, and getting better fast. It's great for our kids to take that next step (outright region champ)."

Mountain View dropped to 5-5 and awaits the final power rankings Saturday morning to see where it lands. The Toros likely will fall from 12 to 14. That would mean a matchup with Desert Vista which beat Red Mountain and could move past Mountain Ridge for the No. 3 seed. Basha should settle in at No. 2 and likely face a Central Region foe again, perhaps Gilbert High.