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Reliving History: A Film Study of the Chandler-Hamilton Game

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(Photo by: Paul Mason Photography).

(Photo by: Paul Mason Photography).

By: Fabian Ardaya

Chandler vs. Hamilton. A rivalry that is easily among the best in the state of Arizona- and even the nation.

Last year we were treated to not one, but two classics, including a historical one that will forever go down as a turning point in the athletic history of both schools.

Chandler finally beat Hamilton, only to see the Huskies avenge their loss in the state semifinal with a last-minute score to win 21-17.

This year was different than most, as No. 3 Chandler (4-1) opened the season in the unfamiliar position of being not only above No. 1 Hamilton (5-0), but ranked No. 1 in the state according to some polls. This year, it was Hamilton lurking in the background and under appreciated.

Going into Thursday, however, Hamilton is the one on top, riding high on a 64-game home winning streak and through a staple of weapons around an improved James Sosinski at quarterback.

Before we move onto this year’s game, let’s break down last year’s historic classic, which saw the Wolves win for the first time in the history of the rivalry (1-18) by a score of 26-16.

Chandler still owns one of the best attacks in the state, averaging 39.4 points per game and 408.2 yards of offense per game through their spread attack. After being stuffed on the offensive end early on in last year’s contest, Chandler finally got the big score they were looking for late in the first quarter.

(Screenshot courtesy of Hudl)

(Screenshot courtesy of Hudl)

Chandler likes to move senior quarterback Bryce Perkins and junior running back Chase Lucas in the backfield, but still employ the same spread principles in their offense. In this situation Chandler gives the pistol look, with Perkins in the shotgun and Lucas behind him and four receivers (three split right). Coach Shaun Aguano likes to incorporate the read option into a lot of his plays, as is the case here. Perkins takes the snap, reads the defensive line pressure and hands off to Lucas. With the defense frozen momentarily, Lucas bursts through the hole and goes 44 yards to cut the early Hamilton lead to 9-6.

Both defensive units dominated the game from that point until late in the fourth quarter, as both defensive lines dominated the line of scrimmage. Each team exchanged punts as the game dragged on in the late October night until Chandler finally began to drive into Hamilton territory with a little over eight minutes remaining. After Chandler’s drive stalled out on a failed fourth down attempt in Hamilton territory leaving them with no timeouts, the game seemed just about over.

Hamilton went into their standard bunch formation (similar to what Mountain Pointe runs), using a series of jumbo sets and multiple backs in the backfield behind the quarterback, along with an athletic wide receiver split out wide.

(Screenshot courtesy of APN Sports).

(Screenshot courtesy of APN Sports).

After two short runs, Hamilton handed the ball off to workhorse Tyrell Smith on a third down and short. After gaining what seemed to be first down yardage, Smith coughed up the football, opening the door for a wild final two minutes of the game.

Chandler quickly gained a first down off of a Chase Lucas run to get into the red zone, and two plays later found pay dirt on a Bryce Perkins option keeper.

(Screenshot courtesy of APN Sports).

(Screenshot courtesy of APN Sports).

Chandler used the same principles in this situation with Lucas stunted behind Perkins. Aguano adds an extra element to the option by having slot receiver Elijah Sykes run across the middle on a jet sweep, only to have Perkins keep it for the score to put Chandler up 13-9 with two and a half minutes remaining.

Hamilton got the ball back, and after appearing to go three and out caught a break when officials called a pass interference on the Wolves, giving the Huskies a first down. Two plays later, coach Steve Belles decided to take a shot downfield. He connected, as Sam Sasso rolled to his right and found wide receiver Elijah Williams on a wicked deep pass that put the Huskies into Chandler territory.

The connection appeared to be fated on the next play, one that possibly meant the game for the Huskies.

(Screenshot courtesy of APN Sports).

(Screenshot courtesy of APN Sports).

Hamilton put David DeSilva in motion, adjusting the protection on Sasso from the weak side as he rolled right and fired toward Williams. Wolves defensive back Wesley Sutton appeared to get a hand on the ball, only to tip it to the running Williams who took it the rest of the way for the score, putting Hamilton up 16-13 with a little over a minute remaining.

Chandler, quarterbacked by Perkins, then proceeded to put together a two-minute drill for the ages. Perkins found Dionte Sykes on the opening play for a first down, then followed it up with a 25-yard in route on the money to Mitch McCulley, who got out of bounds to stop the clock. After being shut down on three straight plays, Chase Lucas took the carry on fourth down all the way to the red zone.

Then ‘The Play’ happened.

(Photo courtesy of APN Sports).

(Photo courtesy of APN Sports).

The Wolves lined up Dionte Sykes inside with two receivers out left, with Perkins in the shotgun and Lucas alongside him. Sykes runs a 15-yard corner route to perfection, sliding to make the catch for the score to put the Wolves up 20-16. After linebacker J.R. Hunt took Sasso’s ensuing pass to the house, the Wolves made history with a 26-16 win.

Smith got his revenge that November, punching in the game-winning touchdown in Hamilton’s comeback win and sending them to the state title game.

So who will be the hero of this Chandler-Hamilton game? We’ll see this Thursday as both teams play it out under the lights yet again.

Comment below with your prediction of Thursday night’s game!



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