Mental errors were Desert Ridge's undoing, and none was bigger than an ill-fated decision by coach Jeremy Hatchcock.
With his team trailing 7-3 and facing a 4th-and-2 at midfield late in the first half, Hathcock opted to go for it.
The play was designed as a quick catch-and-throw between quarterback
Parker Rasmussen and receiver
Paris Clark where Counts was supposed to run off the safety. But Counts stayed in the zone, Rasmussen held the ball too long and Huskies defensive back
Reggie Daniels picked off a low throw for a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Instead of being down 7-3 and feeling very good about playing the state's best program even for a half, Desert Ridge went into the locker room trailing 14-3.
The play was similar to a pick-6 Mesa threw in the 2009 5A-I title game against Hamilton just before the half, giving Hamilton some breathing room.
"I watched Mesa do it last year," Hathcock said. "I said I'd never do it and I did it. If I don't make that bonehead call…"
Desert Ridge got an early fumble recovery and touchdown early in third quarter to pull within 14-10, but Hamilton answered with a 73-yard pass to
Tanner Clay and Clay's 17-yard touchdown reception to push the lead back to 21-10.
Trailing 21-13 late, Desert Ridge converted a 4th-and-14 and drove to the Hamilton 36. But on 4th-and-17, Rasmussen scrambled and ran when Hathcock wanted him to throw. He came up seven yards short and Hamilton ran out the clock to complete its pressure-packed, wire-to-wire act as the state's top dog.
"That's a credit to our coaching staff -- keeping our heads on straight and us not getting complacent," quarterback
Kyren Poe said. "We're a powerhouse and I can't even describe this feeling."
