Yuma Catholic alum Rush wins Division III national title

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Yuma Catholic football continued to make headlines in the opening week of 2026, as Shamrocks alum Austin Rush captured a Division III national championship with the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

The Falcons capped their historic season with a 24-14 upset win over powerhouse North Central College in last Sunday's title game.

North Central had appeared in six consecutive national championship games and won three Division III titles during that stretch, making the victory even more significant for the River Falls program, which had not reached the playoffs since 1996.

"We're definitely very proud of him," said Rush’s uncle and former Yuma Catholic head football coach Rhett Stallworth. "He's stuck it out on his journey and has been rewarded for it."

Rush, a wide receiver, credited his development at Yuma Catholic for helping him reach the college level. He said the coaching staff played a major role in promoting him to college programs and preparing him for the next step, both academically and on the field.

"Coming from a winning school that threw the ball so much really helped," Rush said. "I was fortunate to play in a great offense with a great quarterback, and that allowed me to put up good numbers and find the right fit."

Rush said he did not commit to UW-River Falls expecting a national title run, but instead was drawn to the program’s offensive system and culture. Over time, that belief within the program became real.

"Every year they'd say, 'We're going to win it,'" Rush said. "I was just here for the ride. But it kept building, and the culture is what made the difference."

Rush also described Division III football as "the purest form of the game," pointing to the absence of NIL deals and the transfer portal.

He said the experience reinforced the importance of selflessness, patience, and commitment especially after waiting two years to earn playing time.

Now a national champion, Rush hopes his journey encourages more local athletes to pursue opportunities beyond high school.

"Not many people get the chance to play college football," he said. "Just go for it. You never know where it might lead."

For Rush and the Yuma Catholic community, that leap of faith led all the way to the top of Division III football.