Football notes from week 7 in Chandler

It was inevitable that either the defending champion Hamilton Huskies, or the talented Basha Bears were going to wake up on Saturday with a disappointing record of 4-3. After a wild game that featured two fourth quarter lead changes, it was the Huskies who came out on top, winning 32-31 on a late 7 yard reverse TD by WR Elijah Williams.

Basha overcame several special teams miscues, a couple of questionable penalty flags, and five sacks from Qualen Cunningham to score 17 consecutive points and take a 30-26 lead with 4:13 remaining in the game. Zach Werlinger threw for 326 yards against a Huskies defense that was giving up an average of 117 per game, adding two passing and rushing touchdowns. In the end, it wasn’t enough, as Sam Sasso led his team to a third 4th quarter comeback this year.

Basha (4-3) hosts Highland (5-2), while Hamilton (5-2) plays Gilbert (1-6) on the road.

Chandler (5-2) set their single game scoring record in a 76-6 route of Gilbert, getting touchdowns from Mitch McCulley, Chase Lucas, Bryce Perkins, Wesley Sutton, and many others. In Chandler’s 5 wins, they’re averaging 50 points per game, a stat that may have some Perry Pumas fans on edge for next week’s inaugural meeting between the two varsity football programs. If Chandler can beat Perry, senior WR Dionte Sykes will become the first Chandler Unified School District football player to be a part of victories against each of the four CUSD schools (Sykes transferred from Basha to Chandler in 2012). Perry fell to 2-5 this week after a 38-10 loss to the Highland Hawks.

Valley Christian joined Chandler in setting a new single game scoring record, beating Sequoia 69-7. QB Brandon Haagsma was 7/7 for 126 yards and 4 TDs as the Trojans built a mind-blowing 48-0 first quarter lead. Valley Christian moves to 4-3, equaling last season’s win total, and giving coach Jeff Rutledge his first above .500 record of the season. VC plays Scottsdale Prep (5-2) next week in their quest to secure a spot in the Division 5 playoffs.

Seton Catholic (6-1) rounded out the action on C-Town by besting previously undefeated Coolidge (6-1,) 43-28. The Sentinels were down 14-0 early on, but scored 30 in the second quarter alone to help them get the win. QB Kyle Johnson continued his hot streak, throwing 4 TD passes. Over the last three games, Johnson has 31 pass completions, with 12 going for touchdowns. Seton Catholic
plays at Combs High (4-3) next week.

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