Desert Mountain outlasts Canyon View to claim first state title in school history

The Desert Mountain Wolves defeated the Canyon View Jaguars 21-7 to win the 2025 5A championship. 

Desert Mountain did what they do best on their opening drive, and that was run the football. 

Sophomore running back Easton Conner barreled his way down the field on the first drive.

It was then Conner who fumbled in the end zone, but luckily, junior tight end Davian Whitener fell on the fumble in the end zone to get the Wolves on the board first. 

Desert Mountain converted three of four third downs, and the drive took nearly the entire first quarter. 

Both defenses then proceed to cause turnovers.

The Wolves stopped a Canyon View drive as their senior defensive back Ryan McDonough recovered a fumble.

Desert Mountain played in the open division the last two years, but McDonough was proud to prove his team is a threat in the 5A conference.

“Last two years we played good 6A teams,” McDonough said. “This year we got our chance and showed we’re the best in 5A.” 

Then, in what was a crazy turn of events, Canyon View got the ball back the next play as junior defensive back Amr Hassan recovered a fumble to give his team the ball right back. 

Both offenses stalled in the second quarter as neither one could get a drive going.

That was until Desert Mountain punted the ball, but it didn’t go far, and it gave Canyon View great field position.

The Jaguars started on their own 19-yard line, and a few plays later, their senior quarterback Brady Scott fired a pass to the middle of the field to senior wide receiver Brandon Catalan for a 21-yard touchdown.  

This allowed Canyon View to tie the game 7-7 at halftime. 

At the beginning of the third quarter, the Jaguars' defense made another huge stop.

Desert Mountain was at Canyon Views' 20-yard line and went for it on fourth and one. Canyon View was able to get the stop, though, and prevent Desert Mountain from taking back the lead. 

The Wolves would get a shot at redemption, though the next time they touched the ball. 

Junior quarterback Grant Garduno connected with sophomore wide receiver Kai Tschen for a 49-yard touchdown to give the Wolves back the lead. 

Garduno’s jersey was covered in grass stains as he kept fighting through the game, and he said he did it for his seniors.

“I love these seniors, I was fighting for them,” Garduno said. “I’m so proud of my team, so proud of my seniors.”

Desert Mountain continued to attack through the air on their next drive as Garduno found Whitener on a 46-yard catch and run. 

However, after the big play, the Wolves couldn’t do much and were forced to punt the ball away.

For the rest of the third quarter, neither team could find any rhythm on offense.

Desert Mountain led 14-7 at the end of the third quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Wolves made a statement. 

Even though he was getting hit while he was throwing, Garduno threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Jaden Lindley.

Desert Mountain made sure to extend their lead as they had back-to-back losses in October, and their head coach Conrad Hamilton said they wanted to get better after the skid. 

“Are you gonna lose or be a loser?” Hamilton said to his team after losing to Horizon and NDP in the regular season. “When we lose, we want to get better.” 

Things kept going right for Desert Mountain as the midway through the fourth quarter, Canyon View muffed a punt, and the Wolves' junior defensive back Hassan Smith recovered it. 

The turnover allowed Desert Mountain to run out the remaining clock and be crowned the new champions of the 5A conference. 

Desert Mountain got to hoist its first-ever football state championship trophy at Mountain America Stadium on Friday night, and there was never any doubt that they couldn’t do it.

“For us, we just want to be the best we can be every day,” Hamilton said. “The scoreboard reflected, in my opinion, the better team.”