Basha Claims Second Open Division Title in Four Years, Rolls Past Chandler 34-7
Mountain America Stadium, Tempe — December 6, 2025
The Basha Bears are state champions once again. In a game billed as a clash between two of Arizona's premier programs, Basha's defense set the tone from the opening whistle, dismantling Chandler 34-7 to claim the AIA Open Division state championship — the program's second Open crown in four seasons.
Basha controlled this game long before the final score reflected it. The Bears forced three first-half turnovers and turned that pressure into points, building a commanding 17-0 lead by halftime. Junior quarterback Jake Rogers got things started late in the first quarter, breaking off a 30-yard touchdown run to put Basha on the board first. From there, the Bears' offensive line took over the game in a different way — by keeping Chandler's offense off the field entirely. Basha held the ball for nearly 25 minutes in the first half alone, limiting Chandler's high-powered attack to barely five minutes of possession time.
That time-of-possession advantage showed up in the box score. Chandler, which came in averaging well above its final total, was held to a season-low 224 yards of offense. Standout Chandler quarterback Will Mencl, who had shredded defenses across the Valley all season, found no rhythm against a Basha front that dictated the game from the first snap.
If there was a singular figure in Basha's win, it was linebacker Mason Lewis. Lewis was named both Defensive MVP and Overall Game MVP after a performance that included two touchdowns, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery — the kind of complete game that swings championships. His combination of takeaways and playmaking turned what was expected to be a tight, hard-fought rivalry game into a rout.
Basha closed the 2025 season at 12-1, capping a dominant campaign with its second Open Division title in four years. Chandler, despite the lopsided final score, still finishes the year 10-3 and cements its place as one of the state's perennial contenders — a program that will be back in the championship conversation again next fall.
For a state used to Chandler and Basha trading blows in some of the most anticipated matchups on the high school football calendar, this one belonged to Basha from start to finish. The gold ball trophy — the ultimate prize in Arizona high school football — heads back to Basha, and with it, another chapter in one of the state's fiercest rivalries.
Coverage and highlights of the 2025 Open Division championship, along with dozens of other games from across the Valley, are available in the Video Content section of the ArizonaFB site.