Thomas Cogdell is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Chandler Preparatory Academy for AZpreps365.com

Chandler Preparatory Academy on Friday fell to section rival Santa Cruz Valley 34-27, bringing its record to 2-3 and its 2A Gila mark to 1-1. 

Both teams took a ground-and-pound approach, with the Titans' AJ Robinson rushing 20 times for 200 yards and two touchdowns.

“I wanna do it for my team and for God,” Robinson said. “It's not just me running, it's everyone getting their blocks done. It's the whole team when I get a touchdown, not just me.”  

The opportunity to carry the ball arose after quarterback Nolan Kemper realized that the defense was focusing on junior Creon Fulgham. 

“We saw first quarter,” Kemper said. “They would all just shift with Creon, so I told coach just motion Creon this way (and) we will run it backside and it worked every time.  AJ just found the hole and was able to get out, get to the sideline and get to the end zone.”

While rushing for 200 yards is not easy, it's even more challenging doing it through an injury. Persevering through pain, Robinson broke open the second half with back-to-back touchdowns at the beginning of each drive, the first for 81 yards and the second for 71.   

“I think AJ did a fantastic job hitting and doing what he needed to do,” coach Frank Peake said. “He made some great plays out there despite having an injury, and nobody even knew he was injured.” 

Peake declined to comment on the specifics of Robinson's injury.

On defense, Robinson had four tackles including one for loss. This placed him with the second most tackles on the team after Friday's game, trailing only Fulgham, who had seven tackles.    

As Chandler Prep continued to produce on the ground, they struggled through the air. Kemper went 6 for 14 with 63 yards and three interceptions.

In both the first and second halves, the Titans' offensive line struggled to match the size and speed of Santa Cruz Valley, forcing Kemper to leave the pocket time and time again. Along with the urge to score after trailing from the start, this forced him to pursue plays and targets that weren’t there.   

“Just not good throws. I have no excuse for that,” Kemper said. “That's my fault and something I need to work on.”    

While Chandler Prep fell to 1-1 in its section,  the Titans have an opportunity to redeem themselves against San Pasqual at 7 p.m. on Friday.