Two weeks in a row Chandler High managed to stave off determined efforts by underdogs Liberty and Hamilton. The latest Saturday night was the last one this year and brought home a fifth consecutive state championship for the Wolves.

Hamilton rallied for two fourth-quarter touchdowns and was knocking on the door to a decisive score in the final seconds, but a 27-yard field goal attempt missed preserving a 23-21 victory in the Open Division final at Desert Vista High.

Chandler completed another unbeaten season under coach Rick Garretson finishing 10-0 and extending its current winning streak to 36 games. Hamilton ended COVID-plagued 2020 8-2 with both losses to the Wolves. 

"An incredible game," Garretson said. "Incredible. Great job by Coach Z (Hamilton coach Mike Zdebski). The D played lights out. But our kids are resilient and made plays when needed."

Chandler looked like it had tucked the outcome away with 10:53 left to play when running back Eli Sanders scored his second touchdown of the night on a 1-yard run. The TD, set up by the Wolves' third pick of the game, put them up 23-7. Sanders opened the game and the scoring with an 80-yard TD run on the game's first play from scrimmage. Sanders finished with 131 yards on 19 rushes. The 128 yards as a team in the game was a season low for the Wolves, thanks to Hamiton's ferocious defensive play. Hamilton outgained Chandler overall, 375-229.

Interception No. 2 late in the third period by Chandler's Tony Brewer resulted in a 41-yard field goal by Crew Peterman that gave the Wolves' a two-score lead at 16-7 in the opeing 11 seconds of the final period. 

Hamilton didn't throw in the towel and gained determination and momentum over the game's final 11 minutes.

The Huskies took 3 1/2 minutes to drive 91 yards - all on the ground - to cut the deficit to 23-15 after tacking on a two-point conversion. Quarterback Nicco Marchiol did the honors with a two-yard run.

After a Chandler three-and-out, the Huskies Cole Martin's 18-yard punt return put the ball at the Chandler 27. With 4:07 left Hamilton scored again (a Rodney Clemente 4-yard run). This time the two-point conversion failed, thanks to a solid tackle by Brewer of Christian Anaya a yard shy of the two points keeping the margin 23-21.

The Huskies forced a punt once again and got the ball back again for the last time with 2:18 left at their own 38. Marchiol directed the offense to Chandler's 5 mixing the run and pass. An illegal procedure penalty, one of 28 (15 on Hamilton and 13 on Chandler for 89 and 87 yards, respectively) in the game, left Hamilton to opt for the field goal with 17 seconds left. The kick, into a stiff crosswind, sailed wide left. Ball game.

Hamilton improved its running game greatly in the rematch from the regular-season finale, rushing for 215 yards, led by Noah Schmidt's 95 yards, Marchiol's 71 and Clemente's 50. The Huskies managed only 73 yards rushing in their 34-14 loss to Chandler on Nov. 20.

Sanders thought Chandler kept its cool despite the pressure levied late by Hamilton's offense and the bulk of the game by its defense.

"This was a great team win," Sanders said. "We didn't turn on each other. The defense came up big for us late in the game."

Chandler quarterback Mikey Keene also had small production for him, limited to 101 yards passing (10-19 with one TD. the TD to tight end Eli Swope came early in the second period and put the Wolves up 13-0 at the time. 

Marchiol was 12 of 25 passing with 1 TD and three picks. Huis favorite target and the game's top receiver was Christian Anaya (6 receptions for 82 yards and Hamilton's only TD in the first half. It was good for 20 yards.