Jaiyana Bogan-Jacobs’ 16th birthday turned into a sweet day for her and her teammates. 

The elite Campo Verde basketball and flag football athlete celebrated her milestone in style, leading the Coyotes to the Fiesta Bowl Copper State Invitational championship. The Coyotes went 5-0 in the flag tournament, capping off the two-day event with a dominant 42-14 victory over defending 4A state champion Salpointe Catholic at Arizona State's Dorsey Fields. 

Bogan-Jacobs made one spectacular play after another as a wideout and in the secondary in the final day. The sophomore caught three touchdown passes and intercepted a pass in the title game before celebrating with a birthday cupcake and the tournament MVP belt.

The Copper State Invitational, which invited eight of the top programs representing the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s four conferences, may have settled the debate over the state's true No. 1 team. For now, it appears 5A Campo Verde is the top-dog.

“It would be nice to have that (overall No. 1) ranking," Campo Verde coach Brian Coger said. “But that’s not our main goal right now. We are still shooting for Nov. 21st (5A championship game). That’s been our goal since last year. We just have to keep working for that."

When the tournament started, the Coyotes didn’t appear to be the favorite. 

Their season started with a 41-16 drubbing at the hands of 6A favorite Highland. However, the two programs squared off again in the Copper State semifinals, and this time Campo Verde turned the tables, avenging the opening-week loss with a 28-14 victory.

“From the first game (against Highland) to the second game, there’s going to be a huge jump in your growth," Campo Verde star quarterback Amaya Moreno said. “We figured out our offense. It’s moving quicker. We know what we are doing. My girls are doing great out there."
The only other blemish for Campo Verde (10-2) this season came against the top-ranked team in the country, JSerra Catholic (California), on Oct. 9. 

Since then, the Coyotes have won six straight games, scoring at least 40 points in five of those matchups. Salpointe also deserves plenty of credit for its impressive runner-up finish at the star-studded tournament.

The 10-1 Lancers defeated three 6A teams, including nationally ranked Highland, and defending 3A champion Scottsdale Christian before reaching the final. Salpointe Catholic initially forced a turnover on downs on Campo Verde’s opening drive, but it wasn't long before the Coyotes and Bogan-Jacobs completely took over.

The Coyotes found the end zone on each of their next six possessions. Bogan-Jacobs was unstoppable in the first half, scoring on touchdown receptions of 9, 53 and 44 yards. 

After the 53-yard bomb—where she burned her defender downfield—a Campo Verde assistant coach yelled out "cheat code!" twice to describe her performance. In the semifinals, the sophomore left bystanders speechless after reeling in a one-handed catch on a deep route.

“It (the catch) just happens,” Bogans-Jacobs said matter-of-factly. “I just go get the ball, one hand or not, I always catch the ball."

Trailing 21-0, Salpointe senior receiver Jhianae DesRosier, one of the tournament's all-stars, momentarily sparked her team. 

She broke free for a dazzling 79-yard touchdown pass play, injecting life into the Lancers' sideline with just 53.7 seconds remaining in the first half.

However, Campo Verde immediately snatched the momentum back. The Coyotes responded with about nine seconds remaining when Bogan-Jacobs hauled in her 44-yard scoring catch to close the half.

Bogan-Jacobs then opened the second half by intercepting a Salpointe pass on the Lancers' opening drive. The turnover quickly set up a 40-yard touchdown by junior wideout Oakley Dobratz-Blevins.

The junior weaved through heavy traffic without losing a single flag. Dobratz-Blevins looked down at her belt in disbelief right after crossing the goal line just to make sure the flags were still there.

It was simply that kind of week for Campo Verde, seizing every opportunity and taking everything in sight.