Falcons shatter records on way to state crown
by Jason Stone

CAVE CREEK – If Cactus Shadows High School produced a football media guide like big college programs do, the school wouldn't have enough pages to describe what happened in 2006.

Championships were won and records were broken. Actually, they were shattered.

While it was certainly no doubt the best season in the school's history, the record book will clearly show why. A handful of school records, some of which are now also Arizona state records, fell during the Falcons' historic run to the 4A‑II state championship.

And with a move up to 4A‑Division I next season, there is a good chance the marks set this year will last a long time.

When looking at Cactus Shadows' 15‑0 record, the school's first undefeated and championship season, the focus begins and ends on seniors Phillip Aholt and Kyle Watkins along with the amazing careers the duo turned in.

Aholt, the 6‑foot‑4 quarterback, progressed under the coaching of former Arena Football signal‑caller Chad DeGrenier, to become the greatest passer statistically in Arizona history. His counterpart, the 6‑4 Watkins, rewrote all of the Cactus Shadows receiving records and turned in a game for the ages in the state finals against Higley.

While the Falcons' improved defense ultimately proved key in the rise to champions, it is clear Cactus Shadows wouldn't have even dreamed of winning state had Aholt and Watkins not progressed into the most dangerous passing duo in the state–maybe in state history.

Aholt finished his stellar three‑year varsity career as Arizona's all‑time leader in career passing yards (8,312), passing TDs (94) and passing yards in a game (501). His 46 scoring strikes this year were only three off the state single season record, set by Moon Valley's Brian Wriston just two seasons ago.

His 501 passing yards against Bradshaw Mountain in 2005 still stands as the 4A's top single‑game passing mark. The total was just 10 yards away from the all‑state mark set by 5A Westview's Scott Martinez in 2000.