In a highly anticipated rematch of a regular season game, the Desert Edge Scorpions faced off against the Cactus Cobras for the 2024 5A State Football Championship, and the outcome was a testament to Desert Edge’s defensive dominance. The Scorpions capitalized on key turnovers and big plays to secure a 28-19 victory and bring home the state title.
The game began with fireworks as Desert Edge struck early. Quarterback Blake Roskopf connected with Malakai Moala on an 84-yard touchdown pass just over a minute into the game, setting the tone with a 7-0 lead. The Cobras responded by marching into Desert Edge territory on their first drive but were stopped short on fourth down at the 26-yard line.
The first quarter turned into a field-position battle, but the action picked up in the second. Cactus fumbled at the Desert Edge 20-yard line, squandering a scoring opportunity. Desert Edge quickly moved downfield on a 36-yard pass to Zerek Sidney, but a fumble returned the ball to Cactus. The turnover exchange continued as the Cobras fumbled again with 4:48 left in the half, only for Roskopf to throw an interception to Donta Sutton on the next play.
With 34 seconds remaining in the half, Desert Edge’s defense made a statement. Linebacker Joshua Hopphaus scooped up a Cactus fumble and rumbled 78 yards to the end zone, giving the Scorpions a 14-0 halftime lead.
Cactus started the second half with possession but failed to find rhythm offensively, punting the ball away. Desert Edge capitalized on their opening drive of the third quarter with a determined 25-yard fourth-down touchdown run by Roskopf, extending the lead to 21-0.
The Scorpions’ defense continued to haunt the Cobras, recovering another fumble and setting up a game-sealing 74-yard screen pass touchdown to Elijah Sherbin-Fox, making it 28-0 late in the third quarter.
Despite the deficit, Cactus refused to quit. Running back Tristan Varga punched in a 3-yard touchdown run as the third quarter expired, cutting the lead to 28-7. Quarterback Antonio Casias found Varga for a 6-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, but a blocked PAT by Texas A&M signee Jamar Beal-Goines kept the score at 28-13.
Cactus added a late 3-yard touchdown run by Tayejion Player with 43 seconds left, but another blocked PAT sealed the Cobras’ fate. Desert Edge’s defense, led by Hopphaus, Beal-Goines, and a dominant three-sack performance by Jerry Washington, proved too much to overcome.
With four forced fumbles, an interception, and timely offensive plays, the Desert Edge Scorpions closed out the 2024 season as 5A State Champions, avenging their earlier loss to Cactus and solidifying their place as one of Arizona’s elite programs.
“It feels amazing to finish what we started,” said Roskopf. “This was our goal from day one, and we knew we had to rely on each other to make it happen.”
For Desert Edge, the championship represents not just a victory, but a culmination of resilience, preparation, and determination.
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