Philip Leavell is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Basha High School for AZPreps365.com

CHANDLER-- 10-0. Basha High School finished its regular season undefeated and will compete in the Open Division tournament, both for the first time. The Bears cruised past Mountain View High School, 44-30.

The 6A Central Region champions are a young squad led mostly by sophomores and juniors. However, the 19 seniors on the 58-man roster were commemorated during Basha’s senior night.

“We have some seniors that do contribute a lot in the games but also in practice,” coach Chris McDonald said. “They’ve been through the downs. They need to experience the ups. It’s really important that they had this opportunity to experience a 10-0 season in their senior year, to experience playing in the open playoffs, which Basha has never done, and to have that opportunity to make some memories.”

Three of the senior leaders are responsible for the field goals and extra points. Ty Robinson, defensive end, is the long snapper; Logan Fuller, wide receiver, is the place holder; and Trevor Miller is the kicker. They perfect their craft during each practice and before every game.

Trevor Miller, Logan Fuller, and Ty Robinson left to right (Philip Leavell/AZPreps365)

The trio hails as role models from all sides of the football. Robinson leads the young defensive line, Fuller is a leader on the young receiving cors, and Miller leads the special teams.

“Set an example,” Miller starts. “We gotta carry on the next generation of seniors coming up.”

“We came from a 2-7 freshman team to now being 10-0 region champs,” Robinson adds. “It’s crazy how far we’ve been. We just really worked hard and grinded, and now we’re trying to compete for a state championship.”

“We just gotta be more mature,” said Fuller, who caught a touchdown pass in the win. “There are a lot of young guys leading, but us seniors have really stepped it up this year.”

These Basha seniors have scored 74 points off five field goals and 59 extra points, which is more kicking points than any other 6A team boasts. On Friday night five extra points and one field goal went through the upright from Miller’s right foot. One extra point was missed.

The Bears scored six touchdowns, five of which were in the first half. Bryson Dedmon caught a 57-yard bomb on Basha’s second play of the game. Miles Lockhart scored on a five-yard run. Deshaun Buchanan scored on a two-yard run. Dedmon scored again on a six-yard run. Demond Williams Jr. scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak that ended the first half 34-10. Fuller caught a low, eight-yard touchdown pass on the goal line.

“We have a lot of players on this football team that really enjoy the game of football,” coach McDonald said. “They come out and every Friday night when the lights are on, and they won’t shy away. I’m just really proud of this group. It’s been a great journey.”

The Basha offense was explosive despite having trouble protecting the football. Fuller fumbled late in the first quarter, but the Bear defense recovered a fumble of their own on the very next play.

After a ridiculous one-handed grab 40-yards down the field with a defender draped over him, wide receiver Dorae Scott Jr. fumbled into the endzone while reaching for the pylon. Touchback, no score, turnover.

With five minutes left in the fourth quarter, Ja Khi-Lynn Hardwick fumbled after catching a short out route. Hardwick's fumble was returned 50 yards by the Toros for a touchdown. The score was 44-17 with 5:32 left in the game but jumped to 44-30 with 5:17 left. Basha ran out the clock after recovering a last-gasp onside kick.

Basha will be receiving a much-needed break next Friday. The Bears played their 10-game schedule without a bye week. They will not play another football game, their playoff opener, for three weeks. “We need a break,” McDonald said. “We’ve been grinding for 16 straight weeks. Our kids have been listening to me for 16 straight weeks. We all kind of need a break from each other and kind of recharge our batteries a little bit.”

Basha will play in the Open Division tournament starting on November 26.