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The Ahwatukee rivalry could be the best it has ever been with Desert Vista looking to beat Mountain Pointe for the first time since 2011. Video: Richard Obert/azcentral sports

Phoenix Mountain Pointe football still owns the Ahwatukee community but Desert Vista is closing in with maybe its best team since 2011 when the Thunder won it all.

Desert Vista hasn’t beaten Mountain Pointe since 2011 when the Thunder captured its last state championship, beating Chandler Hamilton 45-19.

Since then, it’s been total domination by Mountain Pointe, which ran the table in 2013 for its first state title.

The Pride’s only loss the last two seasons came in the playoffs — two years ago to Peoria Centennial in the semifinals and last year to Chandler in the final.

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Now in its 10th year under coach Norris Vaughan, Mountain Pointe doesn’t appear to have lost much if anything from last year.

Injuries slowed the Pride’s momentum late last year.

Right now, the Pride is trying to get fourth-year varsity nose guard Matthew Pola-Moa ready for the opener in a couple of weeks. He has been rehabilitating an injury that has lingered since last season.

The Pride has lost to graduation three-time All-Arizona safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, who is now at USC. But he is being replaced by versatile Kenny Churchwell, who had five interceptions and 11 pass deflections last season and is one of the state’s top-recruited defensive backs.

Churchwell takes over at center field in the secondary.

Gary Bragg returns at tailback after having his season shortened to five games with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Nick Wallerstedt, who filled in for seven games at quarterback with starter Noah Grover out with an injury, is back to lead the Pride with his strong, accurate arm and good feet.

This offense could be similar to the one two years ago that was led by dual-threat Jack Smith.

“We’ve got great players who left, like Isaiah,” Churchwell said. “But we’ve got great players coming back. Our defense is still strong. Even though Isaiah left, I’m going to fill in for the role.”

Vaughan has a 291-102-2 in his coaching career, so the 300-win milestone will likely be accomplished this season.

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Mountain Pointe isn’t so much worried about Desert Vista gaining ground as it is finishing the season.

“We were a very young team last year,” Vaughan said. “We lost five outstanding players, obviously. … We’ve got to replace those guys, but we think we can.”

Meanwhile, Desert Vista is coming off a 7-5 season, but is oozing with confidence, with the feeling this team is much better.

Last year’s team started the season with a loss to state semifinalist Gilbert Perry in overtime, a fumble costing them. It gave Mountain Pointe a tough, physical game in a 27-13 loss.

Coach Dan Hinds has brought in Sean Morin to be his offensive coordinator. Morin turned Tempe Marcos de Niza into an offensive juggernaut, before stepping down after the 2015 season. And he got a great arrival in senior pro-style quarterback Derek Kline, who has plenty of weapons, led by tight end James Stagg and wide receivers Keishaud White and Jake White.

“We were one of the only teams close to them during the regular season,” Stagg said about playing Mountain Pointe. “Mountain Pointe-Desert Vista is always a good game. But I think it will be closer this year.”

Hinds likes his coaching staff, his players, 6-foot-5, 205-pound Kline throwing the ball. He said he also has been impressed by Kline’s ability to run.

“We’ve got a lot of pieces in place right now,” Hinds said. “We’re moving in the right direction.

“Athletically, especially up front, we feel like this is the best team that we’ve had since that (2011) team.”

Skagg can’t wait to line up on Friday night against Perry at home on Aug. 18.

“I love (Morin’s) offense,” Skagg said. “We all love it. I mean it’s perfect for Derek, it’s perfect for me, it’s perfect for Jake White, Keishaud, and all of the other receivers. It’s going to be dangerous.”

Churchwell is good friends with Desert Vista linebacker Larry Davis, so they have bragging rights on the line with both being seniors.

“It’s going to be a rivalry between him and me, so it’s going to be a great game,” Churchwell said.

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert.