The drama was nonstop at Mesa Mountain View High School on Saturday night.

The crowds for both No. 1 Sunrise Mountain and No. 14 Independence were lively, fouls were happening all game long and yellow cards were delivered like candy on Halloween. It was a conference championship matchup for the record books, and the ending was determined in overtime.

Sunrise Mountain’s Kale Howell and goalkeeper Sivohn Hobbi, who blocked a penalty kick in overtime, were two of the heroes in their team’s dramatic 1-0 5A title victory.

While Independence tried its best at the end, it couldn’t find the back of the net. After two unsuccessful attempts in the championship game, the third time proved to be the charm for Sunrise Mountain coach Erik Andersen.

“We’ve been on the other side of it so many times,” Andersen said. “We know we don’t want to feel that again. It’s pretty special for this team to be able to accomplish this.”

Howell was a part of the Sunrise Mountain teams that fell short of glory.

After Saturday’s game, he was complimentary of the resiliency his team showed in its long journey to the championship win.

“Everything about this group is special,” Howell said. “It’s the best feeling ever. I’ve never felt anything like this.”

As coach Anderson correctly and succinctly put it, it was a battle on Saturday.

Independence started the game off hot – being the aggressor offensively and defensively. It made sure the Sunrise Mountain players knew they weren’t your typical No. 14 seed.

Sunrise Mountain's other talented goalkeeper, Mason Tumey, was forced to make a save as a shot was heading into the corner of the goal.

At halftime, the score remained 0-0. Both teams had their fair share of chances in the first half.

Sunrise Mountain’s most notable one happened on a breakaway by defender Wyatt Crites, but Independence goalkeeper Eduardo Gonzalez was able to scoop the ball up after the shot.

The second half remained even and just as fiery as the first. Sunrise Mountain forward Tristan Begazo found himself in a great position to open the scoring, but his shot hit the post, resulting in a goal kick.

Soon after, Independence forward Luis Barraza’s header went just wide of the net. The drama wasn’t just on the field, but off it as well.

An Independence assistant coach was given a red card after expressing his dissatisfaction for how the game was being handled by the referees. After 80 minutes of scoreless play and emotions running high, the teams went to overtime.

In the opening 10-minute overtime, the best chance came from Independence when defender Luke Curless’ rebound went flying over the bar from close range.

The second 10-minute overtime will stay with both teams for a while. A Sunrise Mountain defender fouled an Independence attacker in the box, resulting in a penalty kick.

Independence looked primed to open the scoring, but Hobbi had other plans and saved the shot to keep it knotted at 0-0.

Hobbi’s big-time save seemed to provide a momentum shift in Sunrise Mountain’s favor as it was awarded a penalty kick of its own just minutes later. There was some controversy about whether the foul occurred inside the box, but nevertheless, the call stood.

Howell – the Mustangs’ leading goal scorer on the season — stepped up to take his biggest shot of his high school career. His attempt was decisive, sending Gonzalez the wrong way for his 24th goal of the season.

The scoring and championship drought was over for Sunrise Mountain (21-3-1). As for Independence (10-7-5), coach Sergio Gomez and his team’s run to its first state championship game is deserving of some recognition as well.

It defeated No. 3 Ironwood, No. 6 Chaparral and No. 2 AZ College Prep.

It was also the first boys team in Independence High's history to reach a championship game. After the game, Gomez said he was proud of what his team accomplished to get to this point.

While the loss hurts, Gomez knows the future is bright for Independence.

“We’ll definitely miss our seniors, but we have good underclassmen coming back so we’re excited,” Gomez said. “That heartache can be a good motivation sometimes, use that to make another good run.”