Chandler football enters third consecutive Open Division semifinals under Garretson
CHANDLER, Ariz. (BVM) – The Chandler High School football program found itself in uncharted waters following Week 10. The Battle for Arizona Avenue, dubbed “the biggest, most anticipated” regular season game in Arizona high school football history, ended in a 21-14 loss for the Wolves at the hands of rival Hamilton.
It was Chandler’s first loss since head coach Rick Garretson took over ahead of the 2019 season, and the Wolves’ first loss to the Huskies since 2013.
The regular season finale gave Chandler two weeks to prepare for its quarterfinal matchup with Queen Creek in the Arizona Open Division Championship last Friday. Although the Wolves trailed 21-14 at the break, they responded with a massive second half, outscoring the Bulldogs 34-7 after halftime to win 48-28.
“The defense did what it was supposed to do and it went fast, man,” Garretson said of the win over Queen Creek. “It went from 21-14 to 28-21 in a microsecond and that’s Chandler football. I’m really happy with the offense holding up its end, we’ll work this week and see what happens on Saturday.”
Saturday’s semifinal matchup with Liberty (9-2) will be the fourth time these programs meet in the last two years, and second time this season. The Sept. 24 meeting had a similar script to Chandler’s quarterfinal win over Queen Creek. After going into halftime knotted up at 21, the Wolves outscored Liberty 20-0 in the second half to win 41-21 behind 361 passing yards and three touchdowns from senior quarterback Blaine Hipa.
In a matchup of two talented teams very much familiar with each other, Garretson won’t allow his squad to be over-confident despite handing Liberty its first loss of the season just two months ago.
“Our kids know they (Liberty) are a good ball club,” Garretson said. “Coach Colin (Thomas) is a really good coach with a really good staff and his kids play hard. It’s like anything when you’re one and done. Last year, we had a 28-7 lead on those guys (Liberty) at halftime and then next thing you know, you’re going to overtime. You just have to do what you do, keep everything appropriately in line, come out and let the chips fall where they may on a semifinal night.”
If there’s one thing Garretson has been able to rely on all season, it’s his defense. That unit has allowed just 13 points per game this season and gave up 20 points just once during the regular season (vs. Liberty).
University of Arizona commit Isaiah Johnson leads the Wolves with 16 tackles for loss while four-star recruit A’mauri Washington’s six sacks are a team-high despite missing two games this season.
“Our defense has played lockdown ball all year long,” Garretson said. “Our defense is a physical group, a fast group and they’ve been consistent.”
Garretson chalks much of the success of his defense up to experience, something the Wolves’ offense didn’t have much of heading into the season. With just one returning offensive starter on the field for Chandler’s season opener, Garretson turned to a handful of inexperienced faces.
After a @QC_football punt, @BlaineHipa connects with @nason_88 for the 62 yard TD pass
Big play 🚨
28-21 @chandler_wolves leading 7:23 3rd pic.twitter.com/3JaX95qANY
— Nathan Peterson (@NPetey10) November 27, 2021
Hipa has been at the forefront of the Wolves’ new look, completing 68 percent of his passes for 2,436 yards and 27 touchdowns in his first season with the team. The three-star transfer from Hawaii (Campbell High School) has been able to efficiently distribute the ball to talented playmakers like Iowa State commit Quaron Adams (680 yards, six touchdowns), Princeton recruit Nason Coleman (640 yards, nine touchdowns) and Ohio State pledge Kyion Grayes (388 yards, four touchdowns). But Hipa isn’t the only quarterback Liberty should be preparing for ahead of Saturday night’s showdown.
Kenneth Cooper Jr., also a senior, was effectively used as Chandler’s wildcat quarterback in the quarterfinal win over Queen Creek. Nicknamed “K Gun,” Cooper Jr. rushed the ball six times for 70 yards and two touchdowns.
@kjcooperjr takes it for a 24 yard TD to extend the @chandler_wolves lead
2pt no good
41-28 Chandler leading
3:32 4th pic.twitter.com/F4oaq8IzRe
— Nathan Peterson (@NPetey10) November 27, 2021
Part of the reason for Cooper Jr.’s career night on the ground is an offensive line that paved the way for 305 rushing yards in last Friday’s win over Queen Creek.
“Our offensive line had their best night on Friday against a team that we only scored 21 offensive points against the first time,” Garretson said. “We rolled up 500 yards and 48 points on them (the second time). Those kids earned that, they worked for that and we had two weeks of preparation for that.
“You’re only going to go as far as your guys up front; it’s that simple. I don’t care what level of football it is.”
Garretson hopes his big guys up front will lead the way to a sixth consecutive state title, and the third straight Open Division Championship under his watch. Chandler is the place to be on Saturday night.
