Chaparral turned in an impressive effort on defense to stop Queen Creek in Friday night’s 6A playoff quarterfinals.
It was a statement start for Queen Creek. Sophomore Davy Morales helpfully returned the Firebirds’ kick to them with a 70-yard run to the house. Utah commit Trey Reynolds followed that with a successful 2-point conversion to put the Bulldogs up 8-0.
Rather than being cowed by this quick jab, Chaparral refocused to stop any further scores by the Bulldogs.
How to watch the replay or download a copy: Chaparral vs Queen Creek
The Firebirds’ first score was a methodical march down the field, but the missed PAT meant that at the end of the first quarter they were still trailing by two points.
https://twitter.com/BradFalduto/status/1332525113627996162
This was largely due to Queen Creek’s own talented defense. Aidan Wizner, K-State commit Krew Jackson, and Payton Barlow were major disruptions to Chaparral’s offense.
https://twitter.com/BradFalduto/status/1332525775489175552
Not to be outdone, the Firebirds responded with a big Jack Whitten interception. Easy to see why Whitten is headed to the next level to play for Brown.
@JackWhitten31 PICK! https://t.co/YdW8KN743D
— Craig Whitten (@CraigWhitten_) November 28, 2020
Another impressive touchdown run by Jared Williams capped off the half with Chaparral on top 12-8. He would score a total of three times for the Firebirds on the night.
Williams isn’t just a smash mouth RB. He has a great patience/vision in the hole to let space develop. @ChapfootballAZ @JaredJWilliams0 https://t.co/WBtzEZqJnC
— Gabe (@GabeAZHSSports) November 28, 2020
With the second half underway, it was Brayten Silbor and Anthony Lucas with the only score of the third quarter. Lucas is the #1 ranked player in Arizona’s 2022 class according to 247Sports.
Chaparral starts the second half with a long drive capped off on this touchdown run by Anthony Lucas. Brayten Silbor converted a 4th down to extend the drive. It’s now 19-8 @ChapfootballAZ leads Queen Creek 7:53 3rd quarter. @AZPreps365 pic.twitter.com/06HFz0cUO4
— James Mello (@JamesMelloRadio) November 28, 2020
Chaparral would score once more before all was said and done, but the big story was their stopping power on defense. They held Queen Creek out of range of the end zone and broke up plays to create turnovers on downs throughout the game.
Coach Brent Barnes told AZCentral,”That defense was unbelievable. That is what champions do. Our defense just stepped up.”
The Chaparral defense comes up with another big stop. They force this Devin Brown incompletion on 4th down and get the ball back with 1:12 left in the 3rd quarter. Chaparral leads 19-8 over Queen Creek. @AZPreps365 @ChapfootballAZ pic.twitter.com/qAgbXw21Ql
— James Mello (@JamesMelloRadio) November 28, 2020
Chaparral stops Queen Creek 26-8 and moves on to face O’Connor in the 6A Semifinals.
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