There's no doubt Basha and Chandler have high-octane offenses. Not after the display the teams put on Thursday night to inaugurate their football rivalry, a 58-41 Basha triumph.

But at some point, and definitely come November and postseason in Division I, defenses are going to have to shine.

Going back to the beginning of the decade -- and most cases before that -- the team(s) playing the best defense during the year and especially in the playoffs end up champs.

Hamilton hasn't allowed more than a two-touchdown average per game in any of its six state championship seasons (2003, 2004, 2006, 2008-2010). Brophy played great defense in its two title seasons (2005, 2007). Red Mountain gave up 20 points combined in its two title seasons (2000 and 2001). Mountain View was ridiculous on defense in its last title campagin (2002), The Toros allowed  34 points total in 14 games that year.

Basha and Chandler put up about 600 yards offense each Thursday night. Basha never punted. Chandler punted once. Basha added four more takeaways to its season total (now 13). A couple of those were key in turning back Chandler scoring chances or the game might have gone the other way.

It's easy to dismiss Chandler's three shutouts after giving up 58 points to Basha Thursday. Basha opponents are scoring 26 points a game. That seems OK to Bears faithful when the Bears are putting up 57 a game.

At some point this season defense will have to surface. Doesn't  matter the team or how good they are offensively. Desert Ridge averaged 43 points a game in its three playoff games prior to playing Hamilton in the final last year. They scored 13 in the finale. Played well themselves on defense. But defense wins.

History -- at least in (5A-I or Division I) -- says so.