Brendon Pricco is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Chaparral for AZPreps365.com

The Chaparral Firebirds beat the Mountain Pointe Pride, 31-13, as senior quarterback Miles VandenHeuvel had four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing).

Chaparral was able to spoil Mountain Pointe’s first game on their new turf field.

In Chaparral’s previous game against Williams Field, the Firebirds were unable to stop the run.

Dylan Lee rushed for 528 yards, a 6A Arizona state record.

Mountain Pointe came out trying to capitalize on Chaparral’s weak run defense. The Pride scored the first touchdown of the game after a dominant drive on the ground. They rotated through three running backs with Randle Parker finishing the touchdown drive. 

Randle Parker, Jay’len Rushing, and Christian Clark were all big pieces in the run game for Mountain Pointe. 

Chaparral’s offense started the game slowly, with a three-and-out on its first drive.

The Firebirds finally got their offense going late in the first quarter. VandenHeuvel provided a lot of offense in the air and on the ground.

The senior quarterback capped the drive with an 1-yard touchdown run.

VandenHeuvel was a huge part of the offense Friday night. Playing safety last year, that defensive knowledge has helped him as a quarterback.

“All quarterbacks understand coverages and stuff, but as playing a safety I know what I’m looking for in a receiver,” VandenHeuvel said. “It definitely helps.”

The tie didn't last very long as Rushing broke off a 67-yard runto set up Christian Clark's short touchdown run just a few seconds into the start of the second quarter. 

Chaparral was able to block the extra point kick, leaving the score 13-7. 

Both defenses held their own on the next two drives.

With eight minutes left in the second quarter, Chaparral started with the ball on their own 9-yard line.

VandenHeuvel broke off a pretty 20-yard run with a dazzling pump fake that had a Mountain Pointe defender jumping in the air.

Chaparral continued its air attack with a play-action pass from VandenHeuvel to receiver Plas Johnson, who hauled in the 13-yard touchdown. 

The Firebirds led, 14-13, with 4:40 left in the first half. 

VandenHeuvel was able to take Chaparral down the field with a 37-yard pass, but the Firebirds were unable to score. VandenHeuvel threw an interception on the goal line with 30 seconds left. 

Chaparral took a 14-13 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The story of the second half was the Firebirds defense.

Mountain Pointe would not score again.

“It was making sure we had our assignments down, guys in the right gaps, and just team tackling,” said Firebirds head coach Brent Barnes about his defense’s performance in the second half. 

The Chaparral defense did its job in the second half, and so did the offense. 

Midway through the third, the Firebirds were able to march down the field. VandenHeuvel finished off the drive with a touchdown pass to Gavin Mesa. 

Chaparral led 21-13 at the end of the third quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, Keegan Shank drilled a short field goal to extend the lead to 24-13.

The last points of the game came on a 13-yard pass play from VandenHeuvel to Johnson, their second time connecting on a touchdown pass.

“It’s amazing and feels great that he (VandenHeuvel) had that kind of night tonight… he’s easily a top-five quarterback in 6A,” said Johnson. 

Chaparral plays Desert Mountain next week at home.