CDO running back Ka'Deem Carey finds some room around the end in the second quarter of the Class 4A-I state semifinal game against Peoria at Tucson High School.

A.E. Araiza / arizona daily star

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Canyon del Oro football coach Pat Nugent, soaked from three hours of nonstop rain, posed two questions to his team late Friday night at Tucson High School.

"Do you want to practice tomorrow?" Nugent said, giving 50 teenagers the option to sleep in on a Saturday.

In unison, the Dorados players shouted, "Yes."

"At 9 a.m. or 10 a.m.?" he asked.

They screamed, "9."

The message was clear: CDO wants more, and they are ready for anything right now.

The Dorados proved it Friday with an authoritative 20-0 victory over Peoria in the semifinal round of the Class4A-I state playoffs, giving the school its first trip to the championship game since 1977.

It was undoubtedly their best performance in a season marked by quality performances.

The sixth-seeded Dorados (12-1) will have to fashion another one next Saturday in the title game against No. 1 and defending state champ Scottsdale Saguaro.

Saguaro beat Scottsdale Chaparral 12-6 on Friday to advance to the game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale at 1 p.m.

"I've said all year long these kids are special, and all they ever do is come through when people said they would never make it this far," Nugent said. "What they did tonight was incredible."

The persistent rain did not affect the traction of Tucson High School's million-dollar artificial turf, but the slickness of the ball did cause problems for several players.

None of them, however, were wearing CDO jerseys.

Dorados quarterback Daniel Nicholas was at his finest despite the elements. He completed 7 of 9 passes for 121 yards and three touchdowns, and he somehow managed to put a soft touch on each scoring pass.

"Dan is so reliable that we never have to worry that he'll have a bad game," said receiver Derek Matlock, whose two catches went for TDs. "I haven't had a game with two touchdowns all year, and I didn't think it would happen tonight with all the rain."

On the flip side, Peoria QB Vinnie Spano was in disarray. He completed just 5 of 14 passes and threw two interceptions. Even when he was on target, CDO defenders suffocated the Panthers' receivers.

Trailing 13-0 midway through the third quarter, Spano hit Antwaun Jackson across the middle for what appeared to be a big gain on fourth-and-19. But just as Jackson caught it, he was drilled by CDO safety Ray Nettling and dropped the ball.

"That one felt good," Nettling said. "We made the big plays when we needed to, and our defense was great the entire night. There was no way we were going to give them anything tonight."

Peoria's highly touted tailback, Jamal Miles, was helpless against the Dorados' swarming defensive line and linebackers. Miles, a state champion track sprinter, carried the ball 16 times for a total of 15 yards — his lowest output of the season.

"We couldn't do anything," Miles said through tears with a look of exasperation. "Our whole offense didn't come through."

Griffin Ronstadt led the Dorados' rushing game with 75 yards, and the team totaled 195 yards on the ground.

CDO won back-to-back state championships in 1976 and 1977, the last time it ever journeyed this far. Understandably, they were elated with ending the 30-year drought.

In the closing seconds, two players hoisted a Gatorade bucket of ice water to dump on the already-drenched Nugent. He dodged it and shot back a glare that was all business.

"We haven't won anything yet," Nugent yelled. "We're better than that."

They will know for sure in seven days.