Caleb Craig is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Canyon View High School for AZPreps365.com

WADDELL – Canyon View’s 2025 season has been about redefining history. After finishing with its best record in program history, the Jaguars added to that milestone by notching their first-ever playoff win Friday night with a 51-19 victory over Campo Verde.

“We didn’t want to go home on our own field,” Jaguars senior quarterback Brady Scott said. “This is the first time we’ve ever hosted a playoff game, so it was win or go home.”

Canyon View (9-1), seeded fifth in the 5A playoffs, will play at No. 3 seed Desert View (11-0) in Tucson at 7 p.m. next Friday in a quarterfinal match.

Friday’s win meant more to Canyon View coach J.R. Alcantar than stats and the final score – it represents the identity the Jaguars have built throughout the year.

“It’s a blessing just to be here,” Alcantar said. “Being around these kids and this school and culture – it’s so fun. I’m honored to coach here.”

Scott, the Desert West all-region second-team quarterback, completed  26 of 40 passes for 379 yards and five touchdowns. 

Scott connected with senior receiver Michael Callejas on two 50-yard bombs to open the scoring in the first quarter.

Callejas finished with six catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns. He credited his performance against the Coyotes to the coaches’ preparation and studying film.

“Their secondary was playing inside shade coverage and was playing really off,” Callejas said. “I was able to flip his hips outside and get under him. It was pretty easy.”

Scott could sense the cohesiveness clicking between him and Callejas over the last few practices.

“We’ve been feeling it all week,“ Scott said. “We’ve been speaking into existence that we’re going to have a good game, and that’s exactly what happened.”

Up only 14-7 heading into halftime, the Jaguars came out in the third quarter firing on all cylinders.

Just 16 seconds into the third quarter, the Jaguars scored on their first offensive play on a 70-yard pass from Scott to junior receiver Braylon Anderson. On the following kickoff, the Jaguars forced and recovered a fumble.

The Coyotes could not contain the Jaguars’ second-half onslaught, getting outscored 37-12.

Despite the season coming to an end, Campo Verde interim coach Romero Ragsdale viewed the 7-5 season as a success as his team battled through adversity.

“The biggest thing about Campo Verde football is that we play hard, practice hard and do things the right way,” Ragsdale said. “Regardless of the obstacles and hurdles, these guys kept playing hard and kept fighting until the very end."

Alcantar embraces the underdog mentality and hopes to carry the momentum in next week’s playoff matchup against undefeated Desert View.

“It’s the standard and we expect to be here,” Alcantar said. “Nobody thought we would get this far, so why not finish the story?”