It doesn't happen often no matter the division, but the 2015 Division V championship game features foes who haven't tasted defeat this season. Top-seed Benson (13-0) and No. 2 Joy Christian (12-0) put their perfect seasons on the line Saturday Nov. 28 with a 2 p.m. kickoff at Chaparral High School.

Benson bids for its first football championship in school history. The Bobcats have reached the title game twice before -- 1994 and 1978 -- finishing runner-up both times. The players on this team weren't born when Benson last appeared, but  relish the chance to make history. Benson was eliminated in the first-round of the playoffs last year. Joy Christian hasn't played football long -- seven years -- and has a D-VI title to its credit (2012). The Eagles lost in the D-V quarterfinals last year. This is only the third time in the last 20 years unbeaten teams have met for the D-V/2A championship.

In reaching the D-V final, Benson has been tested a few times. Two came early in the year with a two-score wins over D-IV Pusch Ridge (playing for the D-IV title)  and Empire. Six weeks ago Bisbee took Benson to the fourth period in a game Benson won, 20-14. Last week the Bobcats survived a defensive-fest with American Leadership Academy, taking a 14-12 victory.

Benson, under longtime head coach Chris Determan, relied on a rugged defensive effort to reach the final, limiting American Leadership Academy to 12 points despite surrendering more than 400 yards. Six interceptions by the Bobcats helped stem the yardage damage inflicted by ALA. Benson's defense has been outstanding all year, posting six shutouts and giving up no more than 14 points in any game. The Bobcats allow 6.5 points per game. They've produced 31 takeaways, including 22 interceptions -- seven by junior Tyson Coleman.

On offense Benson is a run-first team, but is good enough through the air if need be. The run game is by committee with the leaders juniors Brandon Laird and Keegan Graf. Laird has rushed for 786 yards and seven touchdowns and Graf better than 601 yards and eight scores. Junior Alex Hernandez and senior Brayden Palmer have added 819 yards and 7 TDs. Senior quarterback Nick Hernandez has passed for 1,470 yards and 25 TDs with his top targets Taylor Finch and Coleman (774 yards and 16 TDs combined).

Joy Christian, 52-6 under head coach Brian Cole now in his sixth year, is explosive on offense as its 711 points indicate -- an average of 59 points per game. Joy Christian's season-low is 40 against the No. 4 seed in the playoffs, Round Valley. Round Valley gave Joy Christian its two toughest games -- carbon copies of one another 40-29 and 41-20 wins. No other team has come closer than 40 points of beating the Eagles this season.

Joy Christian has a task in front of it to score as much as they are used to, but make no mistake are capable. Senior quarterback Matt Mitchell was content to focus on his passing skills in the 41-20 semifinal win over Round Valley. Mitchell connected on 14 of 19 passes for 278 yards and 4 TDs. He's also rushed for 830 yards this season, but don't expect that to be part of the plan in this one

Mitchell has plenty of receivers at his disposal with seniors Dujuan Lawrence and Isaiah Goodspeed the main targets. Lawrence has 47 catches for 1,137 yards and 21 TDs; Goodspeed 49 receptions for 772 yards and 11 TDs. Goodspeed scored twice in the semis and Lawrence once. Running back Tyler Graham (24-285) and Joshua Keith (19-421) can't be neglected. 

Joy Christian is comfortable letting junior powerback Graham spearhead the rushing attack. Graham carried 18 times for 124 yards last week. He has 545 yards rushing and 12 TDs for the season. Junior Quadir Talley is the faster back, not the workhorse Graham is and has chipped in with 340 yards and 6 TDs.