Some doubt crept into the possibility of Mogollon three-peating.

It went undefeated during its previous two title trips. But this season it suffered two regular season losses and almost lost a third against its Saturday opponent, region rival Williams.

Their region championship meeting on Oct. 7, which Mogollon won 36-24, was a sloppy one due to weather and turnovers. A more clean and even more competitive game was expected during the 1A finale at Coronado High.

But Mogollon left no doubt who really was the No. 1 team this season. It trounced Williams 51-22 to become the second ever 1A Conference team to three-peat.

“To be honest with you I thought this (blowout win) was going to be what it was going to be,” Mogollon coach Richard Samon said. “When we played them in October there was some bad weather and the field was wet. They had all these turnovers. (Williams) is a great team and well-coached, but these guys didn’t like what was said.”

From the outset, even after Williams recovered the opening game onside kick, it was all Mogollon.

Williams went three and out in its first drive, and Mogollon’s offense then responded with a 10-play scoring drive. Big pass plays helped Williams break the game open during its first two scoring drives.

Quarterback Kyson Owens found Adrian Suarez and Payton Reidhead on a couple of third and longs to keep the first two drives alive. Suarez also had a 52-yard touchdown reception and the defensive play of the game.

The junior defensive back returned an interception 101 yards for a pick-6. Place kicker Alexis Blasingame’s extra point made it 51-14 at the end of the third quarter

Meanwhile, Samon’s defense kept Williams’ run game in check, negating the 1A’s leading scorer and rusher, Drew Logan, from scoring a touchdown and running away. Some dropped passes and turnovers kept Williams (10-2) from building momentum in the game also.

Mogollon’s seven seniors capped their high school careers as champs, including captains Blayk Kelton and Payton Reidhead. Those two helped 10-2 Mogollon stay the course as the new starters adjusted to their roles during the highs and lows of the season.

Coach Richard Samon celebrates with his senior class. (Photo by Jose Garcia/azpreps365)

“The leadership between 1 (Kelton) and 17 (Reidhead), what can you say,” Samon said. “They keep that team motivated, fired up and playing well. So it’s cooler than heck. I never thought we would win three.”

No. 1 and 17 also walked away as three time champs.

“Oh, this is big,” said fullback/receiver Kelton, a three-year starter. “It’s big. I wanted this. I wanted this bad.”

As for Samon, he's been almost perfect during his three seasons as coach. 

“I’m blessed,” Samon said. “I pray to God every night before we play and give Him the glory for what happened, knowing that God’s in control and helps us as a team and a coach. I don’t know what to say.”

Samon was asked after the game about going for a four-peat.

He said he was planning to retire after Saturday’s game, but then said he needs to stay another year.

When asked if he would indeed come back another year, Samon walked away to be with his team and celebrate.

Williams finished it 2022 campaign with a 10-2 record. (Photo by Jose Garcia/azpreps365)