HIGH SCHOOL DIV. V FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Two of the past three Division V championship games have featured Yuma Catholic.

Coach Rhett Stallworth and his team brought home the title in 2011.

While he’s pleased Yuma Catholic (10-2) is back in the limelight once again, half of the goal is still at hand.

“It means a lot to get to this point, but it’s a dubious thing at this point if you don’t win it,” Stallworth said. “We’ve come this far, and we’re going to do everything we can to see this thing through to the end.”

Yuma Catholic junior quarterback Jagan Cleary has thrown for more than 300 yards in all three playoff games, with a 483-yard, three-touchdown performance in the semifinals against Thatcher.

But as for their opponent in the state championship game, Round Valley (12-1), Stallworth said all he knows is from word of mouth.

“They’re definitely a big, fast, physical football team,” Stallworth said. “Not a lot of flashy, pizzazz to them. It’s kind of a ‘we’re bigger and better than you, and that’s what we’re going to do.’

“So we’ll have to negate that somehow.”

In the semifinals, the Round Valley defense held No. 1 Arizona Lutheran — an offense averaging over 48 points per game — to fewer than 30 points for just the third time all season.

“I think to be able to get to the championship game at any level, you have to Where: Phoenix North Canyon High, 1700 E. Union Hills Drive. When: 2 p.m. today. When Round Valley has the ball: Watch the shiftiness and speed of junior running back Ethan Workman who has run for 484 yards and five touchdowns this postseason. Expect a lot of ground and pound from Round Valley before taking a couple chances through the air. When Yuma Catholic has the ball: Expect to see much more run-and-gun from this offense, as junior quarterback Jagan Cleary likes to take chances deep down field on play action. He likes to find senior wide receiver Ricky Hampton and junior wide receiver Donovan Rooks over the top. have a great defense,” Round Valley coach Marcus Bell said.

That defense will face arguably the best offense it’s seen all year.

“We’re excited to be able to play a team like Yuma Catholic,” Bell said. “It’ll be a great opportunity for us to finish off the season against a great opponent.”

Round Valley’s X-factor will be junior running back Ethan Workman, who has run for 484 yards and five touchdowns in the playoffs.

“I’m excited for our kids to get to the state championship, but also the goal is to win it,” Bell said.