Those three games Chaparral lost to COVID-19 at the start of the year were regained in the playoffs.

That’s not a familiar championship script, but Arizona’s 2020 fall football season was filled with unexpected twists and turns in a pandemic. What’s important for Chaparral is that it now feels complete.

Its third playoff victory filled Chaparral’s trophy case with its seventh football championship trophy after defeating a worthy opponent, Highland, 24-14, in the 6A title tilt Saturday at Desert Vista High.

“Unbelievable job by our offensive and defensive lines today,” Chaparral coach Brent Barnes said. “Those two groups really controlled the game, and that’s how you win championships.”

Both teams have great offensive weapons, but Chaparral’s defense and Highland’s miscues near the end helped determine the outcome.

But take nothing away from the Highland Hawks, who were making their first championship appearance. Coach Brock Farrel is continuing to build a championship culture, and reaching Saturday’s final is further proof that the fourth year coach is on the right track.

“l’m so proud of my guys,” Farrel said. “I wouldn’t trade anything in the world. We played every game we were given. Never had to cancel for COVID. The kids made sacrifices and played their butts off.”

Farrel’s teams are known for being very physical on both sides of the ball, but Chaparral also came prepared, holding 7-4 Highland to a point total that tied its lowest output this season. The first big turning point came after a Highland holding call stalled a drive, which ended with a missed 37-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

On the very next play from scrimmage for Chaparral, which led 17-14 with 7:24 left in the game, Brayten Silbor hit Cooper Nimith in stride for the longest gain in the game, a 61-yard pass play. Jared Williams, who didn’t play last week because of a hamstring injury, capped the drive after receiving the snap and running it in from three yards out.

Williams, Chaparral’s leading rusher, scored both of his touchdowns after lining up at quarterback.

“This feels amazing,” Williams said.

After Williams’ second touchdown, Chaparral’s defense sealed the victory with two takeaways.

“The last four weeks have been lights out for our defense,” said Chaparral’s defensive coordinator Derek Nsubuga, who graduated from Chaparral. “I couldn’t be more proud of our guys. They deserve it. It was unbelievable.

“We just have monsters up front. They are just nasty. Anthony Lucas is the best defensive lineman in the country. Seriously.”

Highland kept the yards per game leading receiver in 6A, Max Minor, from making a catch in the first half.

But Chaparral (6-2) made sure it went to Minor in the opening drive of the third quarter. Minor flashed his athleticism near Highland’s sideline when he made his first catch, outjumping two defenders for a 25-yard gain. That helped Chaparral end the drive with a 30-yard field goal and take a 17-7 lead.

Highland slid a safety over to Minor’s side in the first half, but that also allowed Chaparral’s inside run game to sustain drives. One player who probably doesn’t get mentioned as much, probably because he’s 5-foot-7, 155-pounds and gets lost in the crowd, for Chaparral is Diego Echavarria.

But the junior stood tall Saturday during a couple of run plays and big tackles. Saturday marked the end of the high school careers of very talented Highland seniors Kam Cullimore (nine tackles), Ammon Allen, arguably the best safety in the state, and running back Max Davis. Davis wound up as the 6A’s leading rusher this season after rushing for 79 yards and one touchdown on Saturday.

Watching Saturday’s game closely was Barnes’ father, Bobby, a former head football coach in the Valley. Saturday’s win was the first time either Bobby or Barnes won a state title as a head coach.

“I’m very proud of him,” Bobby said. “My birthday was this week, so this was a good birthday present.”

(Chaparral coach Brent Barnes and his dad, Bobby. azpreps365 photo.)