Friday nights in Ahwatukee just hit different. If you’ve ever stood on the sidelines at Karl Kiefer Stadium, you know the vibe. It’s thick. It’s loud. The "Pride of the South Mountain" isn’t just a catchy nickname for the band; it’s basically the DNA of the entire community. Mountain Pointe HS football has been a powerhouse in Arizona's highest divisions for decades, but if we’re being real, the program is currently navigating one of its most fascinating and challenging eras yet.
They aren't just playing for wins. They're playing against their own history.
The Shadow of the 2013 Perfect Season
Success is a double-edged sword. When you talk about Mountain Pointe HS football, the conversation almost always loops back to 2013. That team was an absolute buzzsaw. Led by legendary coach Norris Vaughan, the Pride went 14-0, captured the Division I State Championship, and finished ranked in the top 10 nationally by some outlets. It’s the gold standard. You had guys like Wesley Payne and Jalen Brown just tearing through opponents. It was the kind of season where the outcome felt decided before the coin toss even happened.
But that kind of peak creates a massive shadow.
Every team since then has been measured against that undefeated squad. It’s kind of unfair, right? But that’s the price of admission when you’re a premier 6A program in the East Valley. The school has consistently churned out Division I talent—think of names like Kole O'Hara, Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson, or Rashaad Bennett. The talent is always there. The coaching has seen transitions, from Vaughan to Rich Wellbrock and now into the Eric Lauer era. Each transition brings a different philosophy, but the expectation remains the same: state title or bust.
The Reality of the Modern 6A Landscape
Let’s be honest about the current state of Arizona high school football. It’s top-heavy. The rise of "super-programs" like Chandler, Hamilton, and Liberty has made the path to a trophy feel like climbing a vertical glass wall. Mountain Pointe doesn't just play a local schedule; they play a gauntlet.
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When you’re staring down a schedule that includes the likes of Basha or Saguaro, there are no "off" weeks.
One thing people get wrong about Mountain Pointe is the idea that they’ve "dropped off." That’s a casual take. If you look at the actual tape, the physicality is still there. They still run the ball with a certain nastiness. However, the margin for error has shrunk to almost zero. In the 2000s and early 2010s, Mountain Pointe could out-athlete almost anyone in the state. Today, the gap in facilities, specialized coaching, and year-round recruitment-style environments at other schools has leveled the playing field, or in some cases, tilted it.
The rivalry with Desert Vista—the "Ahwatukee Bowl"—remains the emotional heartbeat of the season. Even in "down" years for either program, that game is a sell-out. It’s about neighborhood bragging rights, but for Mountain Pointe, it’s also a litmus test for who owns the south side of the hill.
Navigating the Transfer Portal Culture
It's weird to talk about high schoolers and "portals," but that’s the world we live in now. Mountain Pointe has dealt with its fair share of players leaving for "greener" pastures at private schools or the massive Chandler district schools. It’s a constant battle for the coaching staff to keep local Ahwatukee talent at home.
Why does it matter? Because continuity is everything in 6A football.
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When a kid grows up playing for the Ahwatukee Devils or the local Pop Warner teams dreaming of wearing the maroon and gold, they play with a different level of heart. Coach Lauer has been vocal about building a culture that "out-works" the flashy recruits. It’s a blue-collar approach in a white-collar zip code. It’s about grit.
The X’s and O’s: What Makes the Pride Different?
Schematically, Mountain Pointe has historically been known for a physical, downhill rushing attack. They want to break your will by the third quarter. While they’ve incorporated more modern spread elements lately to keep up with the high-octane offenses of the 6A Central Region, the identity is still rooted in the trenches.
If the offensive line isn't clicking, the Pride struggles.
- The Defensive Identity: Traditionally, they run a gap-disciplined defense that emphasizes speed at the linebacker position. They’ve produced some of the most lateral-quick defenders in the state over the last ten years.
- Special Teams: This is often the unsung hero at Mountain Pointe. They take it seriously. It's not uncommon to see starters on the kick coverage units, which tells you everything you need to know about the "all-in" mentality.
Actually, the most underrated part of the program is the weight room. You’ll hear stories of 5:00 AM lifts that are legendary for their intensity. That’s where the "Pride" is actually built. It’s not on the Friday night highlights; it’s in the sweat-soaked gym in the middle of July when it's 115 degrees outside.
What’s Next for the Program?
Is a return to the 2013-level dominance possible? It’s a tough ask. The landscape of Arizona football has changed too much for one school to easily run the table year after year. But Mountain Pointe is far from irrelevant. They are consistently a playoff threat, a team that nobody wants to see on their bracket because they know they’re going to get hit. Hard.
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The focus now is on reclaiming the top spot in the region and proving they can hang with the West Valley powerhouses. It requires a mix of holding onto local talent and adapting to a faster, more pass-heavy version of the game without losing that "Mountain Pointe Mean" streak.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Parents
If you're looking to get involved or stay informed on the current trajectory of the program, here is how you actually track the progress:
Watch the trenches, not the scoreboard. In the first three games of the season, ignore the final score for a moment. Look at the offensive line’s push. If Mountain Pointe is winning the line of scrimmage against non-conference opponents, they are a deep-playoff contender.
Support the Junior Pride. The health of the varsity team is directly tied to the local youth programs. If you have a middle-school athlete, getting them into the Mountain Pointe summer camps is the only way to ensure the "system" stays strong.
Check the MaxPreps "Strength of Schedule." Don't be fooled by a 5-5 record. Because Mountain Pointe plays one of the hardest schedules in the Southwest, a 5-5 Pride team is often more dangerous than a 9-1 team from a lower conference.
Engage with the Boosters. High school sports budgets are tighter than ever. If you want the "state-of-the-art" experience that helps retain talent, the community support through the Maroon and Gold booster club is the literal engine of the program.
The Pride isn't just a team; it's an institution. Whether they are hoisting a trophy or grinding through a rebuilding year, Mountain Pointe football remains the standard for what neighborhood high school sports should look like. They’ll be back on top. It’s just a matter of when.