Here’s one double-reverse option pass play that didn’t work. It wasn’t the kind of get-to-know-you session quarterback Chase Cartwright wanted to have with Chandler linebacker Rodney Reagans, but Reagans was happy to oblige. (Jennifer Grimes/Tribune)
Whew.
Now that was a football game. A pair of top-notch teams and a hefty crowd. Chandler’s bleachers were full, and the Corona del Sol (visitor) side was 2/3 full, which is full everywhere because the Wolves probably have the largest visiting bleacher section in the East Valley (they built new bleachers and a bigger press box recently, so the visitor side used to be the home side).
Anyway, despite the turnover problems incurred by Chandler, this game showcased two of the most athletic teams in the state, and they certainly showed it off.
Hits were hard. Catches were circus-style - such as the Wolves’ Caleve Deboskie going up against Corona’s Kirby Pellant and hauling in a 50-yarder, or Jeremy Morris’ 22-yard tumble over the middle while being upended and crashing to the ground.
And the slow-footed need not apply. About three other players in town could have caught up to Kyle Yount’s heave down the right sideline early in the second quarter, and luckily for Chandler, Bryce Lamb is one of them. That was an 81-yard touchdown.
This time, however, discipline and a few strokes of good fortunate won out. Corona del Sol didn’t commit a turnover (or six fewer than Chandler), and was whistled for four penalties totaling 20 yards. There was nothing fancy about the Aztecs offense. Running the ball is what they do, and the Aztecs simply lined up and ran it right through Chandler’s gut, and it certainly helps to have Michael Lange’s speed, Evan Althiede’s surge and Kirby Pellant’s elusiveness.
Quarterback Chase Cartwright only needed to be a manager (and his 30-yard catch-and-run pass to Pellant in the fourth quarter looked like it was going to be intercepted, but probably saved the game for Corona).
A couple of Chandler’s turnovers were of bad circumstance (two of Yount’s five interceptions came when he was hit as he threw, and another was tipped by an Aztec linebacker), and a couple other plays were rotten luck against them (an enroachment penalty (which is a dead-ball infraction) on Corona wiped out a Chandler touchdown, and Yount threw an interception in the end zone on the next play).
In beating their first legitimate 5A-I playoff opponent on the road, the Aztecs showed they’re for real.
(Incidentally, based on upcoming strength of schedule, I’d say Mesa Mountain View has a better chance of running the table and finishing the regular season undefeated, mostly because Corona still has to play Chandler Basha and Phoenix Desert Vista).
Chandler can still be the real deal, too. There’s no question talent and athleticism are aplenty, but the Wolves have improvements to make between the lines and between their ears before the regular season finale against Chandler Hamilton.
Talk about hard hits. You didn’t even mention the hit of the night. Corona’s corner #2 Zach Sitton lit up Caleve Deboskie in the 2nd quarter on a pass play that launched the ball out of Deboskie’s hands into the air and was intercepted by Corona linebacker #50 Tyler Giannannati. That should have been Skylights play of the night.