Saguaro (8-5) and Red Mountain (7-6) have both endured rollercoaster seasons. They will culminate Saturday at high noon in the 6A state championship game at Mountain America Stadium. 
The schools haven't met on the football field in 31 years, but they did have three common opponents this season. And who better to predict the 6A title game than the three quarterback's from those teams? Probably not a reporter.

But you read it here first.

Jack Germaine, Mountain View

Week 2 vs. Saguaro: 44-20 (L)

Week's 10 & 11 vs. Red Mountain: 28-21 (W), 20-14 (L)

"Both teams have great defenses that scheme up the teams they play very well. But with me being an offensive guy, I’m gonna have to go with Saguaro and their ability to score points. I think Saguaro’s offense will be tough to stop and their defense will be able to hold off Red Mountain’s run game."

Prediction: Saguaro 31, Red Mountain 24.
Jack Germaine (#7) faced Saguaro early in the season and Red Mountain in the Toros final two games. Photo by Wayne Syrek

Wyatt Horton, Pinnacle

Week 10 vs. Saguaro: 28-6 (L)

6A quarterfinal vs. Red Mountain: 27-24 OT (L)

"Saguaro has cleaned up a lot and figured it out so to speak recently and they have so much championship experience. At the same time Red Mountain is a team that doesn’t quit and doesn’t go away so if Saguaro can play four full quarters I got them in this one but a lot of credit to Red Mountain."

Prediction: Saguaro 28, Red Mountain 24


Enoch Watson, ALA Queen Creek

Week 1 vs. Saguaro: 49-35 (L)

"Red Mountain’s defense has been getting better and better as the year has gone on. So I think it won’t be that explosive of a game for Saguaro, but athlete for athlete I think they will get the job done. Red Mountain’s offense is 50/50 but if it’s one of those games it could totally could go their way."

Saguaro 28 - Red Mountain 10

Saguaro and Red Mountain: Battle Tested

It's no secret a tough schedule can only pay off in the postseason, as both teams have shown. Through 13 weeks, Red Mountain's opponents combined for 88 wins, while Saguaro's opponents combined for 100, including two--Liberty and Centennial--with game left in Saturday night's Open Championship game.

Red Mountain is playing in its fourth state title game in school history, having won back to back titles in 2000 and 2001. Saguaro's pedigree is second to none in Arizona since the mid-2000's. The Sabercats are playing in their 17th title game, 14 since 2006. Saguaro has 13 championship trophies already secured.   

If their opponents and peers are correct, it wil be 14 this weekend. 

 

Ben Stapley is a staff reporter for AZPreps365. Follow him on 'X' @AZPreps365Ben. For human interest story ideas, contact him at bstapley@azpreps365.com