Brad Cesmat
Chandler at Hamilton is less than a week away. The two programs will likely play again at Sun Devil Stadium on December 11th in the Open Division title game at 6pm
The rivalry has been lopsided in recent years. The last time Hamilton won in this series was 2013. It feels like that could change next Friday night. I’ve seen both teams in person twice and have watched some replays online. I can only go off the scoreboard of previous matchups, but if there is a stat that jumps out, it’s turnovers. Hamilton quarterback Nicco Marchiol, in two games against the Wolves, has five interceptions, the Huskies have turned the ball over seven times. Protect the football, and Hamilton may have won both games against Chandler in 2020. Marchiol(committed to West Virginia) has had a terrific senior season(A leading candidate for the prestigious National Football Foundation’s Valley of the Sun Chapter Player of the Year award). His showing against Bishop Gorman is still being talked about in the circles I’m in.
No other football rivalry in Arizona comes close to this one, except when the two college teams play on Thanksgiving weekend. Fans of football will pack Hamilton’s Jerry Loper Stadium. It won’t just be the usual makeup of parents, family members, and students. That’s what makes it such an incredible local sporting event.
Once again, I will be the emcee of the Battle for Arizona Avenue Luncheon next week. This longtime event, that should be replicated by St. Mary’s vs. Brophy, Chap vs. Saguaro, Mountain View vs. Red Mountain, Higley vs. Williams Field, etc.,etc.(I hear Mountain Pointe and Desert Vista are putting on something similar next week) Both head coaches and four players from each team will speak to the crowd in a packed venue in downtown Chandler.
Leftovers
I was on the sideline last Friday night at Chandler and watched Wolves defensive lineman A’mauri Washington up close. Hard to believe that he wasn’t offered first by the college in Tempe located just 13.6 miles north of the Wolves field. Washington’s first offer came from University of Arizona defensive coordinator Don Brown(97.1 miles south of Elmers Taco Shop/Chandler high). My understanding is the hometown college didn’t offer Washington until he already accumulated six schools for his future destination. How does this happen? Just so we’re clear, Washington has Penn State, Oregon, USC, Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas A&M, Iowa St, Florida St, all on his offer sheet, with Texas and Michigan State about to pull the trigger on offering Washington. If you say you’re genuinely committed to recruiting the state of Arizona, you don’t EVER let stuff like this happen in your backyard.
Chandler is 10th in the nation, Hamilton 15th, in the latest Max Preps rankings…
Marchiol is ranked 11th in the state in passing, with an amazing stat line of 29 touchdowns and just one interception…
Whenever I watch Hamilton play in person or on-line, Christian Anaya is in the middle of something. Good player…
More to come…
