Verrado trailed 34-20 with three minutes remaining in its season, but it didn't finish without letting Desert Edge know that Friday marked the start of its West Valley rivalry. 

Xavier James, who missed the first meeting against Desert Edge, scored on a wild and long reverse play, and Verrado then recovered the ensuing onside kick with less than two minutes remaining in the game. But Desert Edge's defense kept Verrado from sniffing the end zone on Verrado's final drive in the Division III state semifinal game at Millennium High School. 

Desert Edge hasn't dropped a game so far against its Buckeye neighbor, and came out victorious again, this time 34-27 to punch its ticket to D-III title game at University of Arizona. Desert Edge quarterback Tehran Thomas accounted for five touchdowns. 

The coaching staffs at both schools allowed azpreps365.com to record locker room footage for this highlight game package.