Goodyear’s Desert Edge Clinches Thrilling 5A State Championship Title

Goodyear’s Desert Edge Scorpions triumphed over Glendale’s Cactus Cobras, winning the 5A State Championship Game held in Tempe with a final score of 28-19.

This victory marks a significant achievement for the Scorpions, who competed in the title game for the second consecutive year. They entered the championship following a decisive 27-14 win against the No. 6 Verrado Vipers in the semifinals. The Cobras had their own momentum, coming off an upset victory against the top-seeded ALA-Gilbert North in the semifinals, defeating them 38-35.

Both teams had robust records leading up to the championship. Cactus, with an overall record of 10-3, had performed well in the 5A Desert West region, finishing with a notable 4-1 record. Meanwhile, Desert Edge ended the season at 9-4, also displaying strong performance within their region.

This matchup was the 10th encounter between the two rival schools, with Desert Edge holding a slight edge in their head-to-head record at 5-4. Earlier this season, Desert Edge had bested Cactus, 21-6.

In previous years, Cactus experienced a tough loss in the 2022 5A championship game against the Higley Knights, with a score of 41-21. Likewise, Desert Ridge narrowly fell to Higley in a thrilling 42-41 contest for the 2023 championship.

As the sports community reflects on this display of skill and determination, the legacy of competition in Arizona’s high school football continues to grow.