Southern Arizona teams competed in five divisions this year. And, of those five, only teams from the "smaller" three divisions have made it or will be playing in a state championship game. 

No. 2 Elfrida Valley Union made it to the D-VI championship where the Blue Devils lost to No. 1 Pima on November 14 and No.3 Pusch Ridge is in the D-IV final while No. 1 Benson is playing for the D-V championship.

Valley Union has three titles to its name but Benson (13-0) and Pusch Ridge (12-1) are playing for the first title in school history.

This will be Benson's third try for a state title. The Bobcats were 12-1 in 1994 but lost to St. Johns and St. John's turned them back a generation earlier in 1978. This, of course, will the first trip for Pusch Ridge.

The Town of Oro Valley has four high schools that compete in the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA). Pusch Ridge becomes the fourth to play for a title although the other three have already won at least one.

Canyon del Oro has three (1976, 1977 and 2009), Ironwood Ridge has one (2012) and so does Immaculate Heart (1982). Immaculate Heart made an administrative name change from Suffolk Hills back to it's original name of Immaculate Heart in 1990.  The Knights no longer compete in football.

Benson defeated Pusch Ridge 28-14 to start the season. Since then the Lions have won 12 straight including a 17-14 overtime win over No. 7 Lake Havasu in a D-IV semifinal game earlier today.

Lake Havasu held a 14-0 lead over Pusch Ridge but the Lions scored in the 14 straight to send the game to overtime. It was the second overtime win in a row for Pusch Ridge.

No. 4 Queen Creek American Leadership took a 6-0 lead on Benson in the first quarter of a D-V semifinal but the Bobcats scored twice in the second quarter to take a 14-6 lead and held on for the 14-12 win.

Benson will play Joy Christian (12-0) next Saturday for the D-V state championship. Joy Christian defeated No. 3 Round Valley 41-20 in the other semifinal game.

Pusch Ridge will play No. 8 Northwest Christian for the D-IV state championship. The Crusaders defeated No. 5 Snowflake 23-12 in their semifinal game.

Both championships will be played at Chaparral High School and can be viewed online via the NFHS Network.

Division IV Championship

Saturday, Nov. 28

Chaparral High School, 6 p.m.

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No. 3 Pusch Ridge vs. No. 8 NW Christian

 (NFHS Network)

Division V Championship

Saturday, Nov. 28

Chaparral High School, 2 p.m.

No. 1 Benson vs. No. 2 Joy Christian

 (NFHS Network)