VAIL, Ariz. (KGUN) – The Thunderbolts are preparing for their second straight semifinal appearance. This Friday they travel to Yuma Catholic.

It’s the last thing standing between Mica Mountain and its first appearance in the state title game.

“We know what it feels like to lose in this situation,” Mica Mountain quarterback Jayden Thoreson said.

Last season, CDO handed the Bolts their second loss and en route to the 4A state title by defeating Yuma Catholic to become 4A champions.

This season Mica is in the semi-finals against the Shamrocks.

“We just see them as another team we have to beat to achieve the goal we set at the start of this season,” Thoreson said.

The goal is to remain undefeated and win the state championship.

It would be the first for the program, the first in school history and the first for head coach Pat Nugent.

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now,” Nugent said. “This group and this stadium. You can’t get to a state championship without playing four quarters.”

KGUN 9’s Erin Patterson followed Mica Mountain’s season on her social media series “Southern Arizona Sidelines: Mic’d Up.” Watch Coach Nugent in action earlier this season:

“We’re still two games away,” Thoreson said. “At the moment it’s going step by step.

Every step is driven by the “Blonde Ambition”.

“We’re definitely a family this year,” Thoreson said.

With matching blonde hair dyed by Nugent’s wife Michelle, the Bolts are hoping it’s the change they need to bring home the title.

“That team chemistry shows up late in these playoff games,” Thoreson said.

Mica and the “Blondes” bring their ambition to Yuma on Friday at 7 p.m

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