Tempe Prep relies a lot on its defense and had to get more out of it Saturday afternoon to reach the first football title game in school history.

Tempe Prep intercepted three passes in the second half -- two leading to touchdowns -- as the Knights trimmed Arizona Lutheran, 14-6, in a Division V semifinal at Fountain Hills High School.

Tempe Prep (12-1) won its 12th game in a row and will play Yuma Catholic, a 56-29 winner over Northwest Christian winner in the later semifinal on Saturday Nov. 29 for the D-V crown. That game will be played at 2 p.m. at North Canyon High School. Arizonal Lutheran saw its season conclude at 10-3.

Arizona Lutheran took a 6-0 lead to halftime thanks to a blocked punt by Jesse Zwick at the Tempe Prep 10. Two plays later ALA quarterback Cameron Haag tossed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Brady Cook for the half's lone score.

Tempe Prep had trouble putting together a consistent running game, which is its strength. Five fumbles -- three lost -- didn't help. But Tempe Prep's defense bailed out the offense with interceptions.

Safety Dan Hiser, the school's career leader in picks, set Tempe Prep up at the ALA 30. Seven plays later came a Tempe Prep rarity -- a TD pass. This one covered 19 yards from Jesse Brittain to Max Dallyn. Connor Woltz's extra point put Tempe Prep ahead for good, 7-6, with 6:34 to play in the third.

Dallyn wasn't done. He came up with Tempe Prep's second pick of the half and set the Knights up at the ALA 23. Five running plays later Isaiah Brittain bulled his way 5 yards to paydirt for the final margin of victory.

Tempe Prep came up with a goal line stop at the 3:11 mark left and Gabe LeBeau's interception with 1:01 left sealed the victory.

Tempe Prep lmited Arizona Lutheran to 182 yards passing. The Coyotes completed 15 of 43 attempts. Cook caught six passes for 78 yards, but was frustrated by double coverage often in the red zone. On its fourth-down play from the Tempe Prep 2 with 3:11 left, Arizona Lutheran opted not to throw to their big tight end and instead tried some razzle dazzle that resulted in a fumble and six-yard loss.