Teddy Ruben has amassed 4,611 yards rushing and passing this season and D.J. Foster almost 2,000 rushing and receiving. Between injuries, Ka'Deem Carey has still managed 1,582 yards rushing and quarterback Jason McBrayer chimes in with a tad over 2,000 yards rushing and passing.

There is little doubt offense will shine Saturday in the 4A-I football championship game at Sun Devil Stadium between Ruben's Saguaro Sabercats and Carey's Canyon del Oro Dorados. But talking to most people involved at Tuesday's 4A-I championship game press conference, defense was a hot topic and what many feel will be the deciding factor in their second meeting this season.

"Defense, definitely," Canyon del Oro linebacker Bobby Henkel said. "It's the backbone of a good football team. We know both teams have strong offenses. But one is going to contain the other better."

Canyon del Oro didn't have one of its better games last week in rallying for a 28-24 win over Cienega. But defenses don't  always have to be stout from start to finish. Just there when it counts.

Case in point for CDO was the three-and-out it put on Cienega as part of its rally from 10 points behind with less than four minutes to play. That stop came less than two minutes after the Dorados had allowed a 74-yard TD run that severely threatened their chance at a title repeat.

CDO has limited some very good offenses to low point totals. Saguaro scored 25 in the 33-25 loss back in October, the Sabercats' season-low total for a game. They also held 4A-I semifinalist Queen Creek to seven points and 5A-II semifinalist Ironwood Ridge to 13. Both again were season lows for those teams.

Saguaro linebacker and leading tackler Wesley Butts not only has sensed a more determined effort on the part of his defensive teammates, but the actual performance as well.

"The last couple weeks our defense was definitely picked it up," Butts said. "We have more tempo and playing with a lot more heart. With some of the seniors back like Brock (Haman) that we were missing, that's helped."

Saguaro didn't have to face Queen Creek running back Chim Nga in the regular season finale due to an injury and still the Sabercats gave up 28 points. In the rematch last week, other than success on an early drive with Nga, the Sabercats were stellar.

After allowing a touchdown that briefly tied the game 7-7 late in the first quarter, Saguaro stopped Queen Creek on downs, forced two punts and then intercepted passes on all three of Queen Creek's possessions in the third period. Saguaro also blocked a punt in the first period of the game. Saguaro has allowed 20 points the last two weeks against playoff teams. Its best back-to-back effort of the season, considering the caliber of opponent.

"We were much better the second time against Queen Creek and it really started with Bradshaw Mountain (quarterfinals)," Saguaro coach John Sanders said. "I like the way our defense is playing now. Itr's the time of year you need to be playing well on defense."