TJ Hayes is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Chaparral High School for AZPreps365. 

Chaparral football’s 6A state championship last season was its first title since 2011. The team returned less than half of its roster in 2021, and there were holes that needed to be filled. 

Although they aren’t the biggest or strongest team, they all play with the heart of champions. This year’s senior class has shown that trait on numerous occasions throughout the season so far. Because of the multitude of leaders across the team, their will to win never falters. 

“This class is made up mostly of guys that just love to come out and compete and really care about each other and the team's success,” said head coach Brent Barnes. “There are quite a few that are undersized and go out every day to prove they are really good players that might not be recognized like they should. Since their freshman year, they have been a scrappy group that competes and finds ways to win even if it’s ugly.” 

When asked if this team has a sole leader to rally around, Barnes said they have a “huge collection of leaders.” 

“We have six captains because we had so many deserving and the vote was so close. We also have about 14 in a leadership group and even others that are close to that group and doing great things themselves.”  

In Barnes’ fourth year running the program, he said, “This is also the first class to go all four years with the same staff in place. Most of the team have all been together for a while, so they are a close group.” 

After a high-profile game against rival Saguaro on Sept. 24, when Chaparral won 27-26, Barnes raved about how this group of seniors always finds a way to win even if it’s not the way they drew it up. After falling behind 20-7 at halftime, this senior-led team clawed back and fought its way to victory.  

Senior captain CJ Eastwood said he helps his team “vocal(ly) and … more by example, just playing and getting all the boys together and letting us perform together as a whole.” 

Eastwood said the senior class has enjoyed a great sense of camaraderie this season. “We just came together, not only knowing that we’re not going to be the biggest team out there, so we just worked hard, came together, more physical, and we battle it out every week,” he said.  

Starting running back Jamarei Ashby-Phan, who transferred to Chaparral before his junior year, has embodied the gritty and tough mindset since arriving on campus. As the Firebirds workhorse in the running attack, he is averaging almost 70 yards per game, setting the tone against top opponents like Saguaro and Hamilton with his rugged rushing style. 

“I like to be the energy of the team, get the team going,” Ashby-Phan said. “When I see my teams down, I like to pick them up and just get us going.”  

Gavin Higley, one of Chaparral’s starting wide receivers, is also relatively new to the program as a junior-year transfer. Displaying a sense of toughness when he scored a crucial touchdown against Saguaro, only to fall ill on the field  moments later. Not only did Higley finish the game, but his play resulted in Chaparral taking a lead they never relinquished the rest of the game. 

“I put a lot of work in,” Higley said. “I put a lot into the sport.”  

With a 4-3 record following its first 6A Desert Valley region game last Friday, a 28-27 loss to Brophy Prep, Chaparral looks to lean on its strong senior leadership down the stretch. 

“We believe we have a team that can make a strong run down the stretch and in the playoffs as long as we stay healthy,” Barnes said. “We’ve already lost a few guys so can’t really afford to lose more and keep filling the holes. We have an extremely challenging schedule filled with great teams so we are going to need our best each week to get there.”