TJ Hayes is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Chaparral High School.

Going three-and-out to start the second half, already down 20-7 to crosstown rival Saguaro, things were not looking good for the Chaparral football team on Friday night.

On Saguaro’s ensuing drive, the Sabercats were putting together a nice collection of plays before running back Jaedon Matthews started hauling down the sideline with sights of a touchdown that would seemingly put the game out of reach for the Firebirds. That did not happen. Senior defensive back Davondre Bucannon made the play of the game, stripping Matthews of the ball inches before crossing the goal line. The fumble rolled out of the back of the end zone,causing a touchback and giving the Firebirds the ball back. 

“I wanted to get the ball out because I knew if I could strip it would go in the end zone,” said Bucannon, who also made an important pass deflection later in the third quarter to stop another potential touchdown. 

Bucannon’s critical play turned the game around and helped lead to a thrilling Chaparral comeback in the second half and a 27-26 victory over Saguaro.

Once Chaparral regained possession, its offense got into a rhythm putting together a gritty nine-play drive resulting in a touchdown and putting the game back in reach.  

From there, the Firebirds defense stepped up big. The next three Sabercat drives resulted in only one first down. Chaparral was able to string together another long drive, lasting 10 plays and producing another touchdown to take its first lead of the game, 21-20, with 11:53 left in the fourth quarter. 

With 6:59 left, the Firebirds got the ball back and in dynamic fashion, senior wide receiver Grady Hickey hit a hole on an inside zone running play for 89 yards and another score to give Chaparral a 27-20 lead. 

“I just saw the hole and took it,” said Hickey.

Hickey, who wasn’t involved much in the first half, changed that narrative in the second half. He recorded 173 all-purpose yards, including several crucial catches over the middle and the long touchdown run. 

“That’s what we expect out of Grady,” Firebirdshead coach Brent Barnes said. “You wouldn’t think you’d have to expect greatness, but I mean, that’s what it was tonight.” 

Saguaro attempted its own comeback on its final drive. Quarterback Ridge Docekal passed for four completions, two of which were crucial third-down conversions. On second-and-goal with about 2 minutes left in the game, the Sabercats wide receiver Jaci Dickerson scored on a reverse to make the game 27-26. 

Saguaro head coach Jason Mohns, on the road, decided to go for a 2-point conversion and the win. Docekal scrambled for what seemed like years before diving into the scrum in a futile attempt to cross the goalline. 

The Sabercats had one last opportunity attempting a Hail Mary pass with 4 seconds left, but did not convert. 

After the game, Barnes was ecstatic with the way his Firebirds team was able to stay strong and resilient. 

“To be that far down, and to dig and scratch and claw and finally when we get some momentum to not let go of it, I couldn’t be more proud,” he said. 

Barnes earned his first career win against Saguaro, after losing in 2018 and 2019. 

“You gotta enjoy a moment like this,” he said. 

Looking forward to the rest of a long season, he added, “We have to shore up (that) we’re not getting behind the chains, having those mistakes, penalties, and missed assignments. If we do that, and we play assignment football on both sides, I mean I think we’re gonna be hard to beat at times.” 

Returning only 22 players from last year’s state championship roster, a lot of people had questions about Chaparral. On Friday, the Firebirds definitely answered.