Top-seed Benson used two first-half touchdowns and six interceptions Saturday night in fending off No. 4 American Leadership Academy, 14-12, in a defensive-minded Division V semifinal at Fountain Hills High School.

Benson shoots for its first-ever football title and  takes a 13-0 record to the D-V title game on Nov. 28 against No. 2 and unbeaten Joy Christian at 2 p.m. at Chaparral High School. Benson has been runner-up twice -- in 1994 and 1978. Joy Christian knocked off Round Valley, 41-20, to earn its spot in the championship game. American Leadership finished up an even better 2015 than 2014 going two games deeper in postseason and ending with an 11-2 record.

It turned out to be a huge night for Benson wide out/defensive back Tyson Coleman. Coleman picked off three passes -- two in the fourth quarter -- and hauled in two receptions for 52 yards. His first catch was for 29 yards to the ALA -- a play Coleman outdueled two defenders for the ball to set up the Bobcats' first TD. Benson quarterback Nick Hernandez flipped a 9-yard scoring pass on fourth-and-goal to younger brother Alex Hernandez with 8:56 left in the second period that put the Bobcats up for good, 7-6. Benson had spotted American Leadership a 6-0 lead late in the first period when ALA quarterback Dallin Edwards threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Donovan Hanna. 

On American Leadership's possession following the Hernandez-to-Hernandez TD hook-up, the first of Benson's six picks went for a pick-six. Linebacker/running back Brandon Laird snared Edwards' offering and returned it 55 yards for a 14-6 advantage with 7:02 left before halftime. Benson intercepted Edwards two more times in the quarter -- one each by Coleman and defensive end Taylor Finch. Both interceptions were made in Benson territory with Coleman's stopping a drive at the Bobcats' 6.

American Leadership overcame its fourth pass interception early in the fourth quarter with Edwards breaking loose on a 58-yard run that pulled the Patriots to within 14-12 with 7:05 to play. ALA went for two points and a tie, but a running play was stopped a half-yard short of the goal line. Edwards had a mixed night of production completing 14-of-29 passes for 245 yards and the six picks. Edwards rudhed 20 times for 131 yards.

Laird nearly answered ALA's TD with one of his own busting up the middle for a 50-yard gain to ALA's 10 with 6:40 to go. But a Hanna pick robbed Benson of that scoring chance and gave ALA a chance to march for winning score.

ALA drove from its 13 to the Benson 40 with 1:20 to play, but interception No. 5 -- this one by Keegan Graf -- essentially ended ALA's hopes at Benson's 23. Coleman capped his night with his third pick on a desperation throw on the game's final play.

American Leadership did its share of air-travel thievery coming away with three interceptions. The first ended a Benson drive at ALA's 30. The second halted a possession at ALA's 10 and third thwarted a march at the ALA 13.