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

CHANDLER — Chandler High School extended its win steak to 45 games Friday night against the Highland Hawks (6-3), but it was no easy task. The Wolves edged Highland High, 10-7, in what some would call an egregious effort from the top-ranked team in the state. With six four-and-outs and an astonishing 12 penalties against Chandler, they might be right.

However, for true enthusiasts, it was appreciated for the brazenly physical football game it was. Austin Field was a sublime 79 degrees at kickoff, with clear skies and no clouds in sight to rain on this special night for the Wolves.

Chandler (9-0) wore its all-blacks and honored their late assistant coach Chris Chick, who passed away suddenly last May at age 42. Chick was the strength/conditioning and offensive line coach for the Wolves. He was a top prep offensive lineman who played at Scottsdale Saguaro High School in the late 1990s before his career took him to the University of California-Berkeley.

In 2014 Chick arrived at Chandler, where he would be responsible for strengthening the young men that have won five state titles in the past seven years. “Tonight, I was thinking about that guy,” head coach Rick Garretson said. “It was interesting how we did it… smashmouth football, just like he would have wanted.”

Chick might be credited with Friday's win because the stronger team won in the trenches. The Wolves defensive line played its best all season and that proved to be the key in this game.

On Highland's opening drive, the Hawks drove to Chandle'rs nine-yard line. That scoring chance ended when Chandler's Aumari Washington forced a sack-fumble that was scooped up by his partner in crime, Jacob Holmes. The two tenacious defensive tackles stole the spotlight.

Jacob Holmes no.33 & Aumari Washington no.52 presnap (Connor Cox photo/AZPreps365)

Washington finished with a sack, a blocked pass, four pressures and two tackles-for-loss. “I’m looking for hands, feet, anything to get the sack,” Washington said. “We’re always winning the line.”

Holmes had a fumble recovery and three violent tackles-for-loss. Senior defensive end Isaiah Johnson also got in on the action as well with a huge 12-yard sack that would force Highland to pass on a critical third down late in the fourth quarter.

Chandler safety Franky Morales also had himself a night. Honey Badger, Jr., as his coaches call him, finished the night with two interceptions and two pass breakups. “I knew the D-line was getting pressure,” Morales said. “I just had to turn my head quick because I knew that he was just going to throw the ball up in the air.”

A two-yard, first quarter touchdown run by Anyale Velazquez was the only touchdown for the Wolves tonight. A fourth-quarter field goal from Parker Orr, a 27-yarder, was the point difference. Beyond points, it was the defense. “I like to win, but it was ugly,” said Garretson. “Our defense carried us by playing lights out tonight.”

As the team huddled for prayer on the field afterward, Garretson preached his final points before the Wolves move on to next week. To Hamilton, their Arizona Ave. neighbors who are also undefeated and the state's No. 2 team. Players prayed, coaches bowed their heads, and perhaps Chick looked down on a valiant effort that ended in victory.

Said Garretson, "Chick on three."