Make sure not to burn one of the It's a Small World boats at Disneyland, coach Jason Mohns. 

Mohns and his family are headed to Disneyland Sunday to celebrate a monumental win. His Saguaro team's motto this season was Burn the Boats, meaning conquer or fail. 

On Saturday, Saguaro conquered the once impenetrable football island of the Chandler Wolves, 20-15, at Sun Devil Stadium, snapping Chandler's 5-year reign as champ. Saguaro's reward was its first Open Division gold ball.

Both teams made big plays on each side of the ball during the game, but Saguaro delivered the knockout blows. The first one, a 45-yard touchdown pass from Devon Dampier to junior running back Jaedon Matthews up the middle with 4:25 left, wobbled Chandler.

But Junius Marsh's interception near Saguaro's sideline allowed his team to then run out the clock and punch out Chandler.

"I knew it was coming to me," Marsh said. "I just had to make the play and do what I do best." 

Junius Marsh (No. 2) picked off a pass and Chandler's chances of three-peating as Open Division champ in Saturday's game. Photo by Jose Garcia/azpreps365.com

Matthews was open when he caught the eventual winning touchdown. 

"They didn't see me," he said. "I got out there fast. I told them they were going to remember me. And I got that catch, the game winner." 

Besides battling for in-state football supremacy, Chandler and Saguaro also share a fair amount respect for each other.

Chris Chick, a former assistant for both programs, brought them closer together. Chick was a beloved coach who unexpectedly died before this season started.

Saturday's matchup was unoficially billed as the Chris Chick Bowl II. Chandler and Saguaro met two years ago during the first Open final that was played.

Chandler won that game as well as last year's Open, when COVID-19 forced Saguaro out of the postseason. This season, Mohns and his boys bounced back from more setbacks, including injuries.

In their first Open meeting, it took Saguaro a while to counter after Chandler went up. This year, Saguaro immediately responded after being down during its biggest games of the year.

In the semifinals, Hamilton scored on its opening drive against Saguaro and so did Chandler. But just like in the semifinals, Saguaro answered with a touchdown of its own in the final. 

"All the respect to (Chandler) coach Rick (Garrettson)," Mohns said. "He's one of my good friends. The first thing I said to him is how much I miss Chris Chick. The last time we were here Rick, Chris and I met and talked at midfield. So for us it was one of those bittersweet things. It was fitting that it was our two teams that were here. I'm glad that the Chick Bowl is now split one-to-one. 

"Tremondous effort. I love this team. We probably had teams that were more talented. I don't know if we've ever had one that is this gritty." 

Mohns made the difficult decision of replacing one of his leaders, quarterback Ridge Docekal, with Dampier, a junior quarterback with a sturdy frame and wicked juke moves. 

The junior stepped in and didn't disappoint during his first three starts, all in the playoffs. On Saturday he rushed for 145 yards on 22 carries and also completed 12 of 17 passes and two touchdowns. 

Saguaro's Devon Dampier was not easy to bring down during the playoffs. Photo by Jose Garcia/azpreps365.com.In his three starts, Dampier rushed for 451 yards. His teammate, Javen Jacobs, is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. 

Chandler negated Jacobs from roaming freely, but Jacobs did score twice. His second one sent 12-1 Saguaro to halftime up 14-12. 

That receiving score was set up by a Thomas Dechesaro interception. Dechesaro, the heart and soul of Saguaro's defense, according to Mohns, also led his team with eight tackles in the Open final. 

For 11-2 Chandler, running back Anyale Velazquez rushed for 153 yard on 21 carries. 

Mohns did burn a boat on Saturday for good luck before heading to Sun Devil Stadium. It was a model boat an assistant purchased. 

But don't tell Saguaro's administration. 

"I hope I don't have a letter of referral in my file at school on Monday," Mohns said. "I told the principal I may or may not have set something on fire on campus." 

We're pretty sure all is forgiven, coach. 

The 2021 Open champ: Saguaro.