The Desert View Jaguars for the first time in program history had the perfect season. 

With their 41-23 win over Flowing Wells on Thursday, they not only secured their 5A Southern Region title, but also advance to the state playoffs without a regular season loss on their record.

“It’s a great feeling,” said head coach Robert Bonillas. “I’m proud of all our kids, assistant coaches and I’m thankful for our parents and administration for supporting us this season.” 

Bonillas has led the team to a 10-0 season, tying their most wins in a season (2021) in program history.

The Jaguars came together once again on their team’s senior night to defeat the Flowing Wells Caballeros by 18-points, which mirrored the margin of all of their wins this season.

Jaguars sophomore running back and free safety Jaylee Abraham had a standout performance, putting up 2 touchdowns on 122 rushing yards on the night.

Abraham also tallied an interception against the Caballeros, marking his third on the season. 

The team’s senior quarterback Ryan Vasavilbaso also had another great outing, posting 4 passing touchdowns on 276 passing yards on the night.

Vasavilbaso ended the regular season with 25 passing touchdowns on 2,139 passing yards. 

Thursday’s win came less than a week after the Jaguars locked down the 5A Southern Region title in a 70-35 drubbing of Cienega — the first time since 1987 that Desert View has won the regional title.

“I’m grateful for this and for a lot of people,” said Coach Bonillas. “I want to say thanks to anyone who has played a role and I’m looking forward to more.”

With the region title on line, the Jaguars similarly shined against Cienega.

Abraham posted a staggering 316 all-purpose yards with three rushing and two receiving touchdowns in that Oct. 24 matchup.

He currently leads the state in total touchdowns with 32 on the season, with 1,421 rushing yards on the season as well. 

“It feels good because I’m under-looked right now,” Abraham after the Cienega win. “But it wouldn’t happen without my teammates and trusting my offensive line. I wouldn’t be (anything) without them.”

“I feel good inside because I want Desert View to be great,” Abraham  added about the team’s undefeated record.  “It helps us out a lot, both as a school and as a team.”

QB Vasavilbaso also had a great performance against Cienega, putting up five touchdowns on 321 passing yards.

“We wanna be able to play four more games after the regular season finale,” said Vasavilbaso. “We’re treating every opponent we face like the last and we’re really just trying to go out there and play some Desert View football.” 

Coach Bonillas, a former University of Arizona player (1995-98) who has been coaching at Desert View since 2012,  said consistency and keeping the team grounded have been key to the team’s success.

“I tell them at the start every week, ‘We just gotta take it one game at a time’,” he said.

The Jaguars perfect season comes after a disappointing 3-7 record last year.

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.