The Chaparral Firebirds will take on the Williams Field Black Hawks at 7 p.m. Friday at Williams Field High School.

Both Chaparral and Williams Field are undefeated in the early season, both winning their openers. 

Chaparral’s first win wasn’t without drama, however.

The Firebirds faced Salpointe Catholic, a school located in Tuscon. The Lancers were 11-3 last year and gave Chaparral everything it could handle.

Chaparral took the lead 7-0 in the first quarter, but by the time the 4th quarter ended, the game was all tied, 17-17.

In overtime, Salpointe Catholic got a field goal, but couldnt hold off Chaparral.

The Firebirds answered with a touchdown to win the game.

Chaparral is now ready for another test. 

“Williams Field is a tough competitor,” said Chaparral senior linebacker Keenen Bond. “We played them last season in the playoffs and it was a hard game all around.”

Last season, Chaparral beat Williams Field in the playoffs, 35-28. It was Chaparral’s last victory of the season, as the Firebirds would go on to lose their next game in the playoffs.

That game was last year.

Chaparral knows it can’t overlook Williams Field.

“I know that Williams Field is extremely physical and it’s not going to be a game where we blow them out 30-0,” Chaparral junior Plas Johnson said.

Johnson is one of Chaparral’s most important players. According to 247 Sports, he is a three-star recruit with a scholarship offer to play college football at Colorado State.

“I know that we will make some mistakes, but we have players that will make plays offensively,” said Johnson, who plays wide receiver and defensive back. 

Chaparral has been working hard to prepare for the game and make sure they can secure a victory. One key aspect of this has been watching film on Williams Field.

“Based on the film I have watched they look like an aggressive, physical team,” said Chaparral junior Christian Corrales.

One of his goals, not only for the Williams Field game, but for the whole season, is to perfect his run blocking. 

Since Williams Field is a very physical team, Gavin Geweniger has a chance to be the most important player on the field Friday.

Geweniger, a defensive end for Chaparral, is one of the best in the entire state of Arizona. He's committed to play football in college at Stanford and has multiple other scholarship offers.

Other schools recruiting Geweniger include Washington, San Diego State, and Arizona. 

Geweniger will need to match Williams Field’s physicality and apply pressure on the quarterback. He will also be a key part in slowing down the Black Hawks' run game. 

Chaparral will need a good performance out of the future Cardinal in order to win Friday night.

Going to Williams Field will be a challenge, but the Firebirds are ready. Williams Field will just be the first step toward reaching Chaparral's goal for the year according to senior Zach House.

“The goal is to get another ring and go out with a positive record,” he said.