Caleb Gottry attends Chandler Preparatory Academy and is a member of the AIA’s Student SID program.

On Friday, October 29th, the Chandler Prep Titans hosted the Veritas Prep Falcons in what would be the Titans’ last game of the year. After a season with several ups and downs, dominating wins and crushing losses, the Chandler Prep Varsity football team finished their final game and their senior night one point short of the Falcons. Head Coach Peake had this to say after the hard-fought game and the season end:

“I am so very proud of these players and coaches and the dedication they have had this season, overcoming adversity and still pulling off a winning season. I would also like to thank the Chandler Prep Community and all the help and support they have provided to us all year; we could not have done it without them…. While the season did not end as we had hoped, we look forward to hitting it hard again next season and continuing to grow the program here at Chandler Prep.”

The Falcons scored first at the end of the first quarter after a Veritas receiver was barely able to snatch a reception that put the Falcons on the four-yard-line. The Titans responded in quarter two. After a Falcon sack that put the Chandler Prep offense on the Falcon 36-yard-line, quarterback Nolan Kemper and senior receiver Josh VanOrdt connected for a Titan touchdown. After a slow downhill drive, despite Veritas’s primary receiving target being well protected by senior Luke Padgett, the Falcons scored again with seconds left in the first half.

The Titan offense came alive in the second half with junior Sterling Harris rushing for over 35 yards. Senior Noah LoBue, recently returning to the field after his injury, was key in the second half as well racking up all-purpose offensive yards adding to his 50-plus-yards game total. Defensively, the Titans successfully stopped a fake punt attempt, blocked a touchdown pass, and sacked the Falcon quarterback.

In quarter three, the Titans converted on fourth down with Sterling Harris on the carry. After fighting tooth and nail for first and goal on the four-yard-line, the Titans found themselves inches from the endzone on fourth down again. Harris completed what he started and scored the Chandler Prep touchdown making the score 13-14. The extra-point attempt was poorly executed and blocked by the Falcons. Veritas Prep slowly moved down the field, running out the clock and eventually taking a knee for the narrow win and a devastating Titan loss.

Although Chandler Prep finished with a 6-4 winning record, they will not advance to the 2A state playoffs this year. With power players like juniors Sterling Harris and Nolan Kemper and sophomore Creon Fulgham returning next year, the Titan Varsity football team looks to rebuild and play hard again next year. Titan Up.