Dominic Contini is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Chaparral High School for AZPreps365.com.

Early this season, the competitiveness of Phoenix high school football was addressed in an article written by Sports Illustrated’s John Walters.

Chaparral High school football  was one of the focal points in the article that highlighted the ‘cutthroat’ world of the sport in the Phoenix area.

These high school football programs are doing more and more to make their program the top of the crop. Whether that be improving facilities, having the best gear, best media or best coaches, these programs are doing whatever it takes to draw the best student athletes to their school.

Chaparral has the coaches, the facilities, and a great factor that was briefly touched on in the SI article, the history.

“Going to Chap is an incredible experience given their history of winning," sophomore quarterback Bryce Herges said. "We can be assured we will have a good team every year and play other really good teams."

The seven-time state champion Firebirds are considered a powerhouse, and for good reason.

The Chaparral community is all in.

Chaparral’s boosters are really what makes this program what it is.

With a $3,500 donation package, Firebird boosters can get an on-field pass, and a reserved parking spot. The boosters are an incredibly important part of the program.

“The boosters are amazing,” said junior defensive lineman Keegan Shank. “They provide us with everything you could possibly think of and I think they are sort of the backbone to the entire program”

The Firebird boosters give to just more than the football program, but they are what make the overall experience and atmosphere on Friday nights so special.

“The boosters help us so much,” said senior quarterback Miles VandenHeuvel. “Whether it’s fixing speakers, helping with team meals, or providing a great atmosphere at games for players and students. They do a lot for the school.”

Money is raised for all different sorts of things, but in order to compete in Phoenix high school football, the facilities need to be in top shape. When all the other area schools are working to have the best facilities as well, it just ends up being a competition.

“The Phoenix area has some of the best schools in the country,” said Herges. "It is very important to have the best facilities to keep the players safe and ready for the competition."

Herges agrees that if it wasn’t for the boosters, Chaparral program couldn’t be where it is today.

“We have some of the best facilities, uniforms, and other things that could not happen without the boosters at Chap,” he said.  “I am very thankful for them, and everything they do.”

Boosters aside, these players are proud to wear the name Chaparral across the front of their jerseys, but the Chaparral community is what makes this team so special.

“The community is extremely supportive even if things aren’t going our way, everyone still comes out to the games and supports us like we are one big family,” Shank said.