Chandler district teams shine under national spotlight

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

Preview programs, discussions and hype for the Aug. 29 Chandler at Basha football showdown started weeks, if not months ahead of the season opener for both teams.

Not only was the battle of Chandler Unified District crosstown rivals a rematch of last year’s Open Division Championship game, but it was between nationally-ranked teams and was broadcast live on national television by ESPN.

And while outcomes for such a special event game can be measured in ways that aren’t necessarily a win or a loss, the outcome on the scoreboard at Jim Wall Stadium was the same in the end as it was when the Wolves and Bears met about nine months earlier.

Basha won the featured season opener 37-26 after having defeated Chandler to win the Open title last December 34-7.

The event was far from an ordinary season opener. Not only did fans pack the stands on a 110-degree day and wait around for a 7:30 p.m. start (most Arizona high school games start at 7 p.m.), there were regular PA announcements about where to sit or stand, or to move.

Fans also worked around video and sound equipment and operators and endured dusty, rainy wind as the game went along.

Once the teams finally finished with elaborate field entrances and were ready to play, the early part of the game had some of the expected components of a season opener in terms of penalties, turnovers and officials’ on-field conferences.

Coupled with delays to stay in sync with ESPN, the choppy game slowed down. The first half took more than 90 minutes to complete.

Eventually, Basha senior QB Jake Rogers and running back Noah Roberts, along with big plays by the secondary and others, helped the host Bears take a 20-13 halftime lead and, in the fourth quarter, pull away for the win.

Basha coach Chris McDonald said after the game the wind out of the south that kicked up just as the Bears offense started the second quarter driving into it was a factor.

“That wind really made us one-dimensional in the second and third quarters,” McDonald said.

The coach said he felt his team showed some stage presence and some poise in the national spotlight.

“They battle through adversity,” McDonald said. “They get punched in the mouth and they punch back. The most important thing is to learn from a win.”

Rogers was 21-of-33 passing for 214 yards in the game, with three TDs and the one first-half interception.

Bears senior receiver Jaden Baldwin caught 12 of Rogers’ completions in the game, including  one TD for 67 yards. Nelson had 4 catches for 90 yards and 2 scores.

Roberts had 111 rushing yards in the game to go with three receptions.

For the Wolves, QB Will Mencl was 27-for-47 for 334 yards with 4 scores, but both of his interceptions were at critical moments in the game.

Senior receiver Max Sprott caught 10 passes for 177 yards and a score, while two of senior Kaydon Gray’s seven receptions were for touchdowns.

The Wolves turned the ball over five times overall, losing three fumbles. Basha had three turnovers of its own.

Chandler-area teams remain in the national spotlight due to their rankings and opponents. After the Aug. 29 season opener, Basha was No. 12 nationally in MaxPreps rankings, with Hamilton at No. 16 and Chandler at No. 26.

Both Chandler and Basha, as well as Hamilton and Casteel, were set to take on out-of-state opponents the weekend of Sept. 4.

Jason W. Brooks can be reached at jbrooks@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.