Salpointe football will play for the 4A football crown on Saturday at Arizona stadium, but they'll have to dethrone the 4-time reigning champs, Scottsdale Sagauro, to do so.
Salpointe won a state title at Arizona Stadium in 2013, and head coach Dennis Bene says it's really exciting his team has a chance to play there again.
"You can see the stadium, really from our campus. So, for them to have the opportunity to play there and it's really a thrill. Only the 4th time in school history we've been there. It really is a blessing for these kids. It's hard to get to the state championship."
Running back Mario Padilla is also looking forward to playing for a state championship so close to home. "I never though that I'd play at Arizona Stadium. Probably ASU or something. Arizona is cool because we can have so many fans that are actually from Tucson and different high schools there that are supporting us since we are the hometown team."
The Lancers have used the success of their ground game all season, thanks to star sophomore running back Bijan Robinson, and Mario Padilla. Quarterback
Rodrigo Nieto says they're excited to face perennial champs in Saguaro. "We wanted to play Saguaro. They are 4A football, they've run 4A for the past 4 years and probably for the past 8 years. They have 7 state championships in the last 8 years or something crazy. So to be the best, you've got to beat the best. "
Scottsdale Saguaro is going for a record 5th straight 4A state title on Saturday against the Lancers. Kickoff on Saturday is at noon at Arizona Stadium.
