Connor Cox is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Chandler High School for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX — The Chandler Wolves headed to north Phoenix Friday night, where they sought to extend the state's longes win streak to 41 games. Mission accomplished as Chandler defeated the Pinnacle Pioneers 35-19. 

Before the opening kickoff, as "Enter Sandman" played on the loud speakers, Chandler coach Rick Garretson stood on the sidelines staring into the evening. Garretson's eyes narrowed as he unwrapped a stick of chewing gum and placed it in his mouth. Game on. 

Halfway through the first quarter, Chandler tagged the scoreboard with a beaming red seven first. Senior quarterback Blaine Hipa found Iowa State commit Quaron Adams for a 23-yard dart, slicing through the middle of the defense. Touchdown. 

Early in the second quarter, the Pioneers fired back. Pinnacle tight end Duce Robinson had a huge 33-yard catch to put Pinnacle in the red zone. Pinnacle quarterback Nolan Ganter would then score on a 10-yard, untouched quarterback bootleg to knot the score at seven apiece.

The following drive Chandler tight end Nason Coleman topped Pinnacle’s Robinson with the catch of the night. A flawless drive from Hipa had the Wolves on the 19 looking to score again. Coleman ran a hot route and streaked up field. Hipa was able to find the 6’3” senior, Coleman, for a diving, over-the-shoulder touchdown. 

“Me and him go way back,” Coleman said. “He was my youth quarterback in Hawaii.” The connection is evident. Playing youth football in Oahu and finding each other again in Arizona gives these two a bond like Brady and Gronk, on and off the field. 

With just under three minutes to go in the half, Chandler sophomore, Ca’lil Valentine drove the duke up the gut of the Pioneer defense for a tenacious 8-yard touchdown. It was 21-7 and time for a halftime breather.

Blaine Hipa (left) & Nason Coleman (right) discussing play before going back in (Connor Cox photo/AZPreps365

Conditions were perfect for a night of football: clear skies, sun down, and a tranquil 82 degrees. God wanted nice weather. However, Pinnacle wanted homefield advantage with a field that seemed inadequate to the level of teams using it. 

The turf was worn like a set of tires with 100,000 miles on them. Rubber beads spilled onto the track — or the track spilled onto the field — hard to tell. Viewed from high above, it looked as if colonies of black ants were engaged in battle with hints of forest green masked under the pellets. The north endzone field goal post was crooked, veering left like it was trying to enter the freeway. 

Three plays into the second half, Chandler running back Jeremiah Moore broke loose for a 65-yard touchdown. Moore gave his fans a phenomenal view, as he shook a few defenders and dashed south along the visitor’s sideline, jetting by the entire Chandler fanbase. The score stood 28-7 in favor of the Wolves.

Pinnacle tried to find the momentum to stay in this game, but two drives later Chandler safety Jakwon Lamb raced into the frame of the ball for the slick pick. 

Rolling into the fourth quarter with a firm lead, the Wolves added to their margin. Hipa found sophomore wide receiver Justice Spann for a six-yard touchdown on third-and-six to make it 35-7.

The Pioneers needed a miracle to catch up, and with two late fourth quarter touchdowns, it wouldn’t be enough. Final score: 35-19 in favor of Chandler who will likely retain their No. 2 6A ranking behind only Arizona Avenue rival Chandler Hamilton.

Afterward the players and coaches lined up at midfield, walked in an orderly fashion, and shook hands. Garretson then took his team to the south endzone, where they took a knee and gazed up at their general. 

“5-0,” Garretson said,  addressing his team. “5-0 and that’s exactly where we’re supposed to be… See you tomorrow at eight, we have to get a good lift in.”

The players and coaches then bowed their heads and put a hand on the man next to him, prayed ‘Our Father’ and called it a night.