TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – Gold confetti still lines the field at Canyon del Oro after its semifinal win over Mica Mountain.
Confetti’s nice. but the Dorados want a state championship ring.
“It’s what we’ve been working for since the start of the season,” Senior Quarterback Tristen McClelland said.
“We’re all dedicated,” Senior Lineman Sa’Kylee Woodard said. “We all work hard. We all want the same things. We all want to win.”
Woodard and the 13-0 Dorados are one win away from a state title and a perfect season.
“We’re not a championship program every single year,” Head Coach Dustin Peace said. “To get back to this point and all the work that it takes is awesome.”
CDO was a championship-winning program back in 2009. The Dorados also went undefeated that year. It was Peace’s first season as head coach. This is now his fourth time coaching in a state title game.
“The big similarity is the ability to run the football,” Peace said. “We had an NFL running back at that time. We have a very good running back this time.”
It was Ka’Deem Carey in 2009. Now, it’s Kayden Luke. The senior has rushed for 2,086 yards and 27 touchdowns just this season.
“Rush for gold,” Woodard said. “Continue to do what we do. Run the ball. I’m going to confidently say that we have the best running back in the state.”
Canyon Del Oro also has one of the best defenses. The Dorados forced five turnovers in the semifinal win over Mica Mountain.
“This defense may be even better than the 2009 team,” Peace said.
“Not a lot of things you can catch them off guard with,” McClelland said. “They’re really smart and really physical.”
CDO has centered its game plan around a strong run game and stout defense all season. So has 13-0 Yuma Catholic.
“It’s a clash of ‘we both want to do this, who can stop who from doing it’,” Peace said.
With 29 seniors, the Dorados bring the experience, grit and heart to win a state title. They’re making sure to enjoy the ride.
“There’s only one [Southern Arizona] team still with helmets on,” Peace said. “That’s a special thing to be proud of.”
“The fact that me and my buddies, lifelong friends I get to play with, get to walk out at an amazing stadium for our last football game is really cool,” Woodard said.
CDO and Yuma Catholic kickoff from Mountain America Stadium in Tempe Friday at 4 p.m. We’ll have complete coverage on News4Tucson.
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