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

From heartbreak to triumph, three Canyon View Jaguars seniors turned a championship loss into a state championship -- and now, they’re taking that winning mentality nearly 2,000 miles east to Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan,  to help build a rising flag football program.

The Canyon View Jaguars’ girls flag football team avenged their 2023 championship loss to Campo Verde by winning the 5A state championship against Mountain Pointe, 34-14, this past season.

A trio of seniors -- wide receiver Makenzie Pope, linebacker and center Maycie Bassett, and rusher and center Maddie Smith -- were staples to the program’s development in its first two seasons. 

The championship mindset instilled at Canyon View is something they hope they can carry over to the Siena Heights Saints’ newly adopted flag football team. 

“Honestly, I feel like it was good that we didn’t (win the state championship in 2023) because we learned a big lesson on why we didn't win,” Bassett said. “It wasn't even just because of our playing. It was because of our mental state, how we prepared for it, all of that. And that is what helped us to win this year.

“So having that experience is good, taking it to college and taking it to Siena Heights. Because we're able to have that understanding of what it's like to lose and what it's like to get back from that and work harder and be more prepared to win.”

Siena Heights, a private Catholic university with approximately 2,200 students, is the first National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) school to adopt women’s flag football in the state of Michigan. When the three start classes next fall, it will be Siena Heights’ second flag football season.

Pope, Bassett and Smith were heavily recruited by Siena Heights coach Jesse Siordia. Initially, Siordia had his eyes on Canyon View’s star quarterback, Katelyn Jewell. However, after seeing the talent and culture embedded in the Jaguars program, he made sure to show his commitment to the trio from the start.

“Coach Jesse actually came out to our signing day,” Canyon View coach Cory Beal said. “Again, I just think that shows a level of commitment from their program to come out to support their recruits. So I think that says a lot when you have a coach make a financial (commitment).

"He actually flew into Vegas and then drove the six hours to Canyon View, stayed the night and then drove the six hours back to Vegas and flew back to Michigan. So, I really give him a lot of respect and props for committing to the girls to do that.”

Siordia chose to fly into Las Vegas because ticket prices from Michigan to Arizona were inflated due to the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale.

The three girls were drawn to the family atmosphere at Siena Heights. From enduring 100-degree practices together at Canyon View to taking the same classes and spending time together outside of football, family was always a priority. It was more than just a game.

“It was more the bond and the chemistry that we create here,” Siordia said. “But it was more so, and this is coming from the parents, that when they saw how I interacted with my staff …  We've always had that mentality that, you sit at our table, everybody's an equal, everybody is like, in business terms – you sit at my table and everybody eats. And that was what really kind of won over the parents and the athletes when they saw that we interacted like we were family.”

Pope faced a setback while working with Siordia, as she tore her ACL during a U.S. National Talent ID camp that Siordia was coaching. Her left knee was planted when a defender made contact, causing the injury.

“​​Siena Heights was an easy choice for me,” Pope said. “Their perspective on the game, their goals, and how they view things outside of football really stood out. It’s important to me that I’m more than just a player on their team. I want to be somewhere that genuinely cares about their athletes’ mental well-being, and Siena Heights gives me that feeling.”

Siordia remains in close contact with Pope, as she regularly updates him on her injury, sending medical charts from check-ups.

Pope, Bassett, and Smith have already connected with their future teammates, feeling at home when they were welcomed with open arms.

“Meeting some of the girls, they were also very welcoming,” Smith said. “They invited us into their dorms, like, check it out, see what we like, what we don't like. They're already like family. They were excited to meet us. And then, obviously, going with two of my friends, especially one of my best friends, was a big selling point.”

Even before stepping foot on campus, the trio has grown comfortable with their new coach, often sending him random text messages.

“They'll text me, ‘Hey coach, what are you doing?’ ‘Uh, nothing. I'm just trying to watch a movie,’” Siordia said. “They haven't even moved here yet and they've already built that relationship, that friendship, which is amazing because .. you want to be comfortable. One of the parts of our recruiting process is ‘This is a coach that you're going to call, and a school that you're going to call home potentially for four years.’”

The easygoing personality off the field reflects the way the trio plays -- each bringing a unique personality and skill set that complements each other on the field.

“Kenzie, she just has a presence that I think a lot of athletes wish they had,” Canyon View Athletic Director Andrea Hudson said. “And her competitiveness and her ability to know the sport so well is what makes her an amazing player.”

Pope showcased her versatility on the field, leading the team in receiving with 89 receptions for 1,218 yards and 28 touchdowns. She also rushed for 103 yards.

On special teams, Pope returned 21 punts for 434 yards and on defense tallied 26 tackles, eight interceptions and 21 passes defended.

Hudson described Bassett as a “quiet beast.” She’s soft-spoken but leads by example. She was named 2023-24 5A Defensive Player of the Year by the Arizona Sports Network. 

Bassett’s defensive stats last season were dominant: 74 tackles, eight sacks, six interceptions, 11 passes defended, and four defensive touchdowns.

“Maddie, she's kind of that person you pull off the sideline and she's going to be cheering, she's going to be in there,” Hudson said. “And if you give her a job, she's going to go in and do it to the best of her ability.”

Smith served as Bassett’s backup center and also played as a rusher on defense, highlighting her willingness to take on any role needed.

Smith recorded 25 tackles and 10 sacks on defense while also returning seven punts for 153 yards.

The three girls know what it takes to build a championship culture at the high school level, and they’re eager to bring that mindset to Siena Heights.

“The fact that they're getting three girls that came from not just the same program, but from a culture they helped build and they helped establish,” Beal said. “They're looking to replicate that at the collegiate level, which is why they pursued the three of them. So I think that's a huge testament, not just to our program, but to them as individuals as well.”