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

In Chaparral’s second game of the season, Williams Field running back Dylan Lee ran through Chaparral’s defense and into the record books.

The following week, the Firebirds didn't allow a single point in the second against Mountain Pointe. 

Chaparral has only played three games this season, but has already experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows on defense.

Lee rushed for 518 yards, breaking the Arizona 6A state record, on just 24 carries.

That’s an average of  21.58 yards per carry.

Lee also scored five touchdowns and was the “High School Player of the Week,” selected by the Arizona Cardinals.

Chaparral lost, 49-28.

“After the game, I was devastated and knew we had to make a change if we wanted to have a successful season,” Chaparral senior linebacker Keenen Bond said.

Bond is one of the more important players on the defense.

“We definitely depend on our guys up front," Chaparral head coach Brent Barnes said. "Guys like Gavin (Geweniger), Keegan (Shank), and Keenen Bond. Those three guys are kind of the rock of our defense.”

After the Williams Field game, Chaparral knew it had a lot to work on defensively.

“My main focus this year is to improve on our physicality and tackling,” Firebirds defensive coordinator Derrick Nsubuga said. “Also we need to cut down on our mental mistakes and missed assignments.” 

The Firebirds had a week to prepare for their next opponent, Mountain Pointe.

“We came to practice Monday with energy and confidence to make up for our terrible performance the week before,” Bond said. 

The defensive line has been an important part of the defense, and part of it is because of how Chaparral practices. The Firebirds go full speed during practice.

“A lot of the players we are going against are bigger boys so we practice a lot of speed moves,” Bond said. 

Despite the week of practice, Chaparral’s defense struggled against the run again in its next game.

In the first half, Mountain Pointe rotated through three running backs and they all had success. The Pride scored two rushing touchdowns in the first half. 

“We were all shocked by how fast the tempo was when the ball was snapped and how aggressive their team was,” Bond said. 

The second half was a very different story.

“At halftime, we got together and told each other we can win this game if we team tackle and do our jobs,” Bond said. “Then we all came out with more energy than before.”

Chaparral didn’t allow a single point in the second half in a 31-13 victory. The same defense that was struggling to tackle Mountain Pointe’s large running backs was now making tackles and hitting gaps. 

“The main adjustment we made was our mindset and the kids’ physicality,” Nsubuga said.

Mountain Pointe rushed for fewer yards in the last three quarters combined than it did in the first quarter. 

“What we looked like week two vs week three was vastly different,” Barnes said. 

If the same defense that came out of the locker room at halftime against Mountain Pointe shows up for the rest of the season, Chaparral has the chance to win a lot of games. 

“We grew up that night,” Nsubuga said.