One down.

One big fish to go.

Bagdad reeled in its first 1A state title appearance in eight years after avenging last year’s semifinal loss to Mogollon. In Saturday’s rematch between two of the top three teams in the conference this year, the outcome wasn’t determined until the final minutes at Coronado High.

Bagdad's defense hunkered down in the second half, and running back DJ Gramanz had his best outing of the year in the 48-26 win.

“It was not pretty, but we’ve been short a lot the last few years,” Bagdad coach Dalton Mills said. “So it feels good to get over the hump.”

With the help of Gramanz’s five rushing touchdowns, Mills and his program snapped a four game playoff losing streak to Mogollon as well.

The sophomore delivered the biggest play of the brisk night right after Mogollon scored with 5:08 left to get to within six points (32-26) of Bagdad’s lead. Gramanz took a handoff and sprinted 71 yards to the end zone to put the game out of reach after Bagdad added a two-point conversion.

“I was just ready,” Gramanz said. “I knew last year we lost to (Mogollon), and it was tough. We lost some good seniors, and I didn’t want it to happen again. I love these seniors and all of my teammates. I want them to feel what it feels like to be in a championship in high school.”

Bagdad’s defense forced Mogollon to turn the ball over on downs four times and throw two interceptions in the second half.

One of Bagdad’s weapons, corner Destry Owings, broke up a couple of fourth down passes in the fourth quarter. Third-seeded Mogollon (8-2) seemed to have the momentum heading into halftime after running back Caleb Porter threw a touchdown to a wide open Yovanni Suarez on a trick play.

That score came after a Mogollon timeout and Bagdad was penalized twice to set the ball at Bagdad’s 26-yard line with 13.3 left in the third quarter. To start the third, with the game tied 12-12, a 52-yard Brody Porter run helped set up a Rocky Porter 21-yard score for Mogollon.

But that’s when Bagdad’s defense began stepping up and Gramanz (17 carries for 175 yards) went to work, scoring four touchdowns.

10-1 Bagdad’s only loss this season came to the team it will play in Saturday’s 1A final, undefeated Hayden.

The defending champ hasn’t dropped a game in its last 23 outings. This year, Bagdad gave Hayden its toughest fight during a 30-20 loss on Sept. 6.

“We know who,” said Mills about who his team is playing next. “We know they are good. Like I’ve said before, we have to play four quarters to beat them. They are a solid, solid team.”

No. 1 vs. No. 2.

The perfect ending to a season.