Chandler has been unstoppable this season, outscoring opponents 258-38. This includes three straight games of scoring at least 52 points. Junior quarterback Mikey Keene has put up video game numbers for Chandler, throwing for 1,268 yards and 11 touchdowns.
But it’s Perry quarterback and four-star Louisville recruit Chubba Purdy that enters as the most heralded signal-caller in the game. Purdy will need do what he does and get some support from his defense to prove that Chandler can be beaten.
Watch Perry vs. Chandler, Friday, October 4th at 7:00pm MT/10:00pm ET – YurView Arizona (Cox Ch. 4 – Phoenix, Ch. 7 – Tucson) and live stream.
RIVALRY? REALLY?
Everything about this matchup screams rivalry. Perry and Chandler are only nine miles apart in the East Valley. They play in the same district, they’re both perennially ranked as top 10 teams in the state, and they have some of the top talent in the region.
But there’s been one missing ingredient in this matchup that most rivalries have – a Perry victory.
The Pumas have yet to beat Chandler since the school opened in 2007, something that’s not lost on the coaches and players at Perry. Even when the Wolves lost two games in 2017, Chandler still was able to rout Perry 55-27.
PLAYERS TO WATCH QB CHUBBA PURDY 6-2/210 SENIOR PERRY
To many recruiting fans he’s known as the little brother of Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy. But to Arizona high school football fans, Chubba Purdy is known as the top quarterback in the state and one of the most dynamic playmakers in the area over the past three seasons. In 24 career games, Purdy has thrown for more than 5,000, rushed for 1,600 yards and accounted for 86 touchdowns. Those numbers put Purdy on the national recruiting map a lot sooner than his brother, and he was the center of a national recruiting battle that was eventually won by Louisville.
Purdy pass to Holdridge for a TD! McCarthy’s kick is good! Perry up 21-0 with 6:04 left in the 1st. pic.twitter.com/ALUmLQL657
— Perry High Athletics (@perry_pumas) September 28, 2019
LB MALIK REED 6-2/220 SENIOR CHANDLER
Reed, a three-star recruit that is already committed to Wisconsin, is a heat-seeking missile on defense for Chandler. Recruiters love how Reed gets sideline to sideline, and he has the speed to chase down ball carriers. He’s done a lot of that this season. Reed has racked up 75 tackles and 9.5 sacks in five games. Reed committed to Wisconsin over offers from Arizona, Nebraska, UCLA, Colorado and others.
S GUNNER MALDONADO 5-11/180 SENIOR CHANDLER
Maldonado is another three-star recruit that has big-play ability on both sides of the ball. On defense, recruiters love his high motor and ability to swarm to the football. Maldonado also can be a threat in the return game. Through five games, Maldonado has 21 tackles, two interceptions and caused one fumble. Maldonado had eight scholarship offers but decided to commit early to the Northwestern Wildcats.
LB TATE ROMNEY 6-2/200 SENIOR CHANDLER
Romney is a tackle machine for Chandler, averaging 9.4 tackles and 4.2 tackles for loss a game. It’s no surprise numbers like that attracted recruiters. Romney is a three-star recruit that committed to BYU over scholarship offers from Arizona, Cal, Colorado, Kansas State, Nebraska and others. Recruiters also love Romney’s highly instinctual edge rushing ability.
DE BRANDON BUCKNER 6-2/230 JUNIOR CHANDLER
Buckner – one of the top junior recruits in the region – battled back from an ankle injury and got back on the field against last week Desert Ridge. He’s expected to be even more productive over the next couple of weeks, but recruiters love what they see from Buckner. He’s got elite pass-rushing ability off the edge, as we saw with his 7.5 sacks in 2018. Buckner already has offers from Oregon, Arizona, Arizona State, Maryland and Oregon State.
PREDICTION
When you have a talented quarterback, anything is possible. That’s what makes this game intriguing for Perry, especially since Purdy enters the game red hot. Three weeks ago, he accounted for 10 touchdowns in a four-overtime victory over Red Mountain. But Purdy is facing Arizona’s best defense that features Division I talent all over the field. Combine that with an offense that’s also rolling, it’ll be too much for Perry to overcome.
CHANDLER 56 PERRY 35
Watch Perry vs. Chandler, Friday, October 4th at 7:00pm MT/10:00pm ET – YurView Arizona (Cox Ch. 4 – Phoenix, Ch. 7 – Tucson) and live stream.
