One thing can be counted on with Jeremy Hathcock coaching Desert Ridge is the Jaguars  give the opposition something(s) to ponder offensively.

Most of Hathcock's five-year tenure at Desert Ridge, offense revolved around an aerial display. This year it has been closer to half-and-half. Whatever the Jaguars choose, it is fine with the array of talented skill players at Hathcock's disposal.

The offense de jour coming into Monday's championship game against two-time defending champ Hamilton is the run out of the spread, led by running back Joey Counts and erstwhile receiver turned quarterback Jordan Becerra.

Hathcock dabbled with the run early in the season with Parker Rasmussen at quarterback and a pass-first mentality. Counts was the main thrust on the ground, but more of a keep-the-defense-honest back. The offense revolved around the pass with receivers like Paris Clark, Jordan Becerra and Sam Papa.

"As a former running back I think it takes about 40 or 50 carries before you hit your stride," Hathcock said. "I don't think I gave the ball to Joey enough early in the year. He'd carry it six or eight time a game. Ever since he started getting 15 or 20 carries, he's gotten better and better."

Counts, a 5-foot-9, 200-pound junior, is a bowling ball. He can power through tackles and has the speed as he's shown in recent weeks to go the distance. Counts has rushed for 100 yards or more in seven consecutive games. His season and career high was 212 yards in  the first-round playoff upset of Chandler.

"I never havey cared how much or if I got the ball," Counts, the only player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, said. "I just want to win. It is more exciting to get the ball more. The success is a combination of working on the run more and our O-line stepping up to make the blocks."

With Rasmussen sidelined by a knee injury after a victory over Westwood in late October, Hathcock moved Becerra to quarterback and the Jaguars spread-run with Becerra and Counts was born or at least  brought out of hiding. Rasmussen has returned to health  and saw some action last week, but wasn't needed to throw often due to the running game's continued prowess.

"I've never minded what coach wanted to do on offense," Becerra said. "He knows what's best. I won't lie to you. I love to run the ball. Whatever coach wants, we'll do."

In Desert Ridge's first nine games, the 5-10, 165 -pound Becerra rushed for 224 yards. Since shfting to quarterback for four full games he's totaled 768 yards -- just eight yards shy of joining Counts as a 1,000-yard rusher.

"I like running it the way we do," Becerra said. "If the defense makes the wrong choice the play hits and hits hard. I think it's more confusing to the defense than running a real option."

The passing game has become an afterthought the past four games due to the success of the run. The Jaguars remain potent when they do throw with tall, speedy receivers like Clark (23 yards a reception) and Papa (20 yards a catch). An afterthought, but nonetheless throwing the ball for the Jaguars remains a thought.

"It is still in the minds of who we play that Paris and Sam can hurt them," Hathcock said. "The confidence level of this team after we beat Chandler has gone way up. That was only our second game going to the running game. They all believe in it and we still are a threat to throw."