Hayden's state record breaking championship streak didn’t start three years ago. 

It began in 2015 with the return of a coach who cares deeply for the community that raised him. 

That year, John Estrada produced a 1-win season with just 11 players on the roster, but the groundwork was laid for what Hayden accomplished Saturday when the Lobos completed the greatest run in Arizona’s 56-year 8-man history. 

Hayden three-peated and became the first 8-man program to do so without losing a game. It also extended its 8-man state record win streak to 36 games after defeating Bagdad 66-20 in the 1A final at Coronado High. 

"Honestly, we never talked about it (undefeated state championship win streak record),” Estrada said. "It was always about prepping for that Friday game and getting ready for that opponent we were going to face. But now that it’s over I’m so happy for the kids and our community and the school. I know that that record is going to be in the record books for years and that’s what makes me happy. We did it. We did it.”

The dominant Lobos were led by a senior class that developed a defensive and offensive force that muscled and ran over opponents: Kino Lorona.

The running back/linebacker picked up some well-deserved individual honors after his four touchdown performance. This year, the Arizona Interscholastic Association for the first time will award Offensive and Defensive MVPs after its football championship games. 

Lorona is the first player to receive AIA Offensive MVP Football Championship honors. The senior also picked up more bling after a Fiesta Sports Foundation representative handed him a championship game MVP belt.

This is the sixth time that Lorona has helped Hayden win a state championship during his career. He is a starter on Hayden's three-time defending state baseball championship program as well.  

“It’s so surreal,” Lorona said. "Coming into high school I never imagined six rings and especially a three-peat in football. I don’t even know what to say right now.”

With 4:20 remaining in the third quarter Saturday, Lorona earned his first keepsake when he reached the 2,000-yard rushing total this season. 

Hayden's coaches made sure to remove the game ball at that point. 

The 5-11, 205-pound Lorona finished his prep football career with over 100 touchdowns, 4,500 rushing yards and 300 tackles. But the big bad Lobos are more than just a one man show.

Senior Tyler Garner, who also rushed for over 1,000 yards this year and was the team’s third leading tackler, was named Defensive MVP. Garner had an interception and opened the game with touchdown runs of 42 and 56 yards. 

The 1A final was a rematch of last year’s championship game. But unlike Hayden, Bagdad didn’t return as much experience and size. 

In fact, this was the smallest lineup that coach Dalton Mills has dressed in his 14 years as coach. But Mills said Bagdad didn't use that as an excuse this year. 

The coach was gracious in defeat after the game.  

“They have a lot of heart,” said Mills about his boys. “But with the legacy that is over there (Hayden), that’s tough to overcome. Those guys have won 36 in a row. They just have it over there. But I’m super proud of our kids. It obviously didn’t go the way wanted it to go. But that’s how it goes sometimes. But you can learn lessons from this.”

It wasn’t easy, but Bagdad returned to the 1A final for the second consecutive year. (Jose Garcia photo/AZPreps365)

In the first half, Bagdad (11-1) did all it could to try and shock 12-0 Hayden just like Mogollon attempted last week. 

Hayden was leading 22-14 with 8:12 remaining in the second quarter when Bagdad appeared to partially block a punt. Bagdad recovered the ball in Hayden territory, but Hayden’s defense held up, forcing a turnover on downs. 

Lorona then closed the first half with a 34-yard touchdown run and 84-yard touchdown reception to put his team up 36-14. It did get a bit chippy near the end of the game between teams that know each other really well. 

Hayden and Bagdad squared off in the baseball playoffs during the last three years, with Hayden winning each time, including twice in the 1A finals. After Saturday’s game, the teams shook hands without incident.

Hayden’s players made sure to douse their coach with water and ice from a Gatorade cooler in their postgame celebration. During a postgame interview with azpreps365, Estrada reminisced about the ups and downs that led to Saturday. 

"We got our butts kicked, but we kept coming back,” he said. “It’s been a thesis for me. I’ve been at it (coaching) for 16 years. It has humbled me. I love being around the kids. It’s just fun, man. It’s fun."