Chandler Gets Defensive, Edges Gritty Salpointe

It wasn’t always pretty but no one in or around the Chandler football program are complaining after the Wolves’ defense made a number of big plays in a back-and-forth 24-16 win over Tucson Salpointe at Hamilton High School Saturday night in one Open Division semi-final played at Hamilton High School.

The two-time defending 6A state champion got a late touchdown pass from junior Mikey Keene to Jalen Richmond and moments later were gifted another score on a bad punt snap in the end zone which was pounced on by Chandler (12-0) junior defensive end Zion Magalei and pushed the lead 24-16.

Salpointe (10-1) got one last chance after recovering an Eli Sanders’ fumble but a sack essentially ended any hopes of a late-game rally.

The top-seed will tangle with #3 Saguaro on December 7th at 4:00 at Sun Devil Stadium. The Sabercats came back to beat Chandler’s neighborhood rival, Hamilton, at Coronado High School in Scottsdale.