Payson football coach Jake Swartwood’s dad, Craig, was elected Payson’s mayor this year. 

If Payson keeps upsetting higher seeds in the playoffs, Payson’s residents might start asking if the wrong Swartwood ran for office.

Jake and his team were the talk of the town last week when Payson, the 14^th seed in the 3A Conference, grinded out a 7-6 victory over No. 2 seed Snowflake. It might seem like one of the biggest upsets in Arizona’s football playoffs in recent years, but the 3A is loaded this year and it was the second time this season that Payson gave Snowflake fits.

Payson’s fan base continues to grow thanks to the team’s workman-like approach and its homegrown coach.

“We’ve got a group that will leave everything they got out on the field for their community, their team and coaches,” Jake said. “We are real happy with the team and for the community we call home.”

As for the opponents, Payson seems to be frustrating them with its wing-T possession game and its defense.

Payson lost most of its skill players after last year and continued to lose players this year.

But the team did have experienced linemen and build its team around the guys in the trenches, Trey Glasscock, Korben White, Seth Allison, Jason Bland, Trenton Cline, and Jeremiah Hamm.

“Those are our iron men,” Jake said. 

From there, Jake had to recruit some of his talent on campus to come out and play.

Quarterback Ryan Ricke, a senior, focused on playing baseball and didn’t play in the last two season but decided to come out this year.

Payson was also fortunate that JT Dolinich, a transfer from Thunderbird, and Cameron Ross, who moved back from California, dressed up for the team this year. 

 “Dolich has a phenomenal heart and determination and one of the best spin moves,” Jake said. “Between him and Ross, those two have a lot of rushing touchdowns (18).”

Ross and Dolinich power Payson’s run game.

On defense, White and weak side defensive end Emmerson Carr had the game of their careers last week against Snowflake, Jake said. 

Payson forced Snowflake’s run game into several 2nd and long downs. 

“Every kid on our defense actually played their game of their life,” Jake said.

Payson reached the state quarterfinals despite playing without a couple of the school’s best players.

Off the field issues took those players out of the picture. Payson is 6-5, but had a chance to win every game except its first one.

After that Week 1 loss to Safford, Payson went strictly to a wing-T.

Only 28 players participate in Payson’s football program, but they are fully supported by its 12^th man. Payson has one of the best small school cheering sections at home and on the road.

They also cheer for their coach, Jake, who has brought stability to his program during his five years at Payson, where he also played.    

“Regardless if we win, lose or draw, our community will love us,” Jake said. “We want to play to our potential and play the best game. I could care less what the score turns out to be. We want to be victorious, but I also want to say that I am proud of their effort.”

3A Quarterfinal games

No. 8 Yuma Catholic (9-2) at No. 1 Show Low (11-0): Yuma Catholic is averaging 160 receiving yards per game and about the same on the ground. … The defense has 49 sacks and 22 INTs. … QB James Stover returned from injury this season and has thrown 14 touchdowns and only 2 INTs in eight games. … Jr. Harrison Long is averaging 9.5 tackles per game. …. Show Low also carries a balanced offense but is more explosive. … Rhett Ricedorff has thrown for 2,646 yards and 29 touchdowns. … Middle linebacker Jaisen Brown is averaging 12.4 tackles per game.

No. 13 Winslow (7-4) at No. 5 Sabino (10-1): It took Winslow coach Brandon Guzman only two seasons to get his program in the playoffs. … Winslow’s ground attack is averaging 251 yards per game and is led by Mikel Bonner (16 TDs, Damon Avelar and Nick Reyes. … Linebacker Ahli Foster is averaging 12.9 tackles per game. … Sabino’s Drew Dixon and Alex Bell have thrown a combined 21 touchdowns. … Dixon has rushed for 851  yards and scored 21 touchdowns. … Senior Andrew Carslen has 11 receiving touchdowns.

No. 6 Florence (10-1) at No. 3 American Leadership (10-1): The teams met on Sept. 30, with American Leadership winning 29-22. American Leadership’s Matthew Nevill threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns in that game. Nolan Susel (17 TDs) rushed for 134 yards for Florence. … Florence’s Jared Wood has thrown 35 touchdowns. … Joshua Williams has 12 receiving touchdowns. … Florence was 5-5 last year under second-year coach Scott Howard. … American Leadership’s Jermiah Boyd has rushed for 1,244 yards and 20 touchdowns. … Donovan Hannah has 780 receiving yards. 

No. 15 Payson (6-5) at No. 7 Northwest Christian (9-2): Northwest Christian’s Tyler Worrell has thrown 25 touchdowns. … Caleb Egherman has rushed for 1,088 yards. … Linebacker Jacob Lytle is averaging 9.8 tackles per game, and sophomore free safety Dustin Inness is averaging 9.4 tackles per game. … Caleb Johnson has scored a team-high 15 touchdowns.

Sabino's Drew Dixon (No. 1). Photo by Chris Hook/maxpreps.com.