With another undefeated season behind them, the Hayden High School Lobos are out to repeat as 8-man football champions – and their quest got off to a strong start Friday night.

The defending Conference 1A champs went 9-0 this year, winning their fourth straight 1A East title with a 3-0 record and averaging 57 points a game. Last season the Lobos were an impressive 12-0 as they earned the state title.

The top-seeded Lobos opened the tournament at home Friday, taking on the #8 Desert Christian Eagles in the 1A quarterfinals, and won handily. The final score was Hayden 77, Desert Christian 6.

“Our boys played tough on both sides of the ball,” said head coach John Estrada. “We stuck to our game plan and came out victorious.”

The team is led by senior quarterback Paul Gaither, who passed for 1,013 yards and 16 touchdowns; junior Kino Lorona, with 984 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns along with 70 tackles on defense; junior Tyler Garner, who ran for 911 yards and 15 scores; seniors José Fong and JJ Manriquez, who caught six and five touchdowns respectively; and senior linebacker Matt Armenta, with 83 tackles on the year.

The Lobos will take on the fourth-seeded St. David Tigers in the semifinals Friday, November 8 at Coronado High School in Scottsdale.