Under the Friday night lights on October 23, the Titans of Chandler Prep hosted the Heroes from Heritage Academy Laveen in a game that highlighted strong defense, epic plays, and a complete team effort.

The game did not start out well for the Titans, however. After receiving the kick off and gaining only two yards in two downs, the Heroes cornerback snatched an interception on a third down pass putting them quickly in their offensive red-zone. The Titan defense managed to hold the Heroes to a field goal, but Heritage Academy stopped a fourth-down attempt by the Titan’s two possessions later and scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion in the first minute of the second quarter. After a blocked punt, the Heroes quickly scored again putting the Titans in an 18-point deficit. Titan Head Coach Brittain spoke to Chandler Prep’s ability to come back from that:

“To be down like we were in the first half and to come back in such a dominant fashion for the complete second half and the end of that second quarter—it’s hard to do that mentally. The defense was really physical tonight and we reestablished the run game in the second half. It was just a great overall performance after that 18-point hole.”

Seniors Reese Vilaboy and Aiden Daly shined both offensively and defensively at the end of the second quarter propelling the Titans to a four-point lead at halftime. Aiden Daly showed skill as a running back carrying the ball for 55 yards, ultimately setting Vilaboy up for a quarterback keeper touchdown. Daly also intercepted the Heroes and turned it into an 85-yard pick six and Vilaboy returned an interception at the 50 all the way into the Titan red-zone. To end the half, Vilaboy threw a dime to junior wide receiver Josh Van-Ordt who already collected on a two-point conversion reception earlier in the quarter.

The Titan defensive line made quick stops in the second half with tackles from the likes of seniors Sam Martin and Daniel Peake and juniors Connor Mason and Zach Romesburg, limiting the Heroes to only four first downs in the entire second half. Chandler Prep recovered three fumbles and intercepted three balls in the final three quarters of the game. Snagging the second half interception was senior Raymond Wong.

Senior running backs Aiden Daly and Sam Martin, sophomore running back Sterling Harris, and junior slot receiver Noah LoBue each ran in a touchdown and contributed heavily to the Titan oppressive offense. Harris carried the ball for the longest touchdown of the half of 53 yards. Speaking about the Titans downhill energy, LoBue, the primary ball carrier in the latter part of the second half, said this:

“I think we started out slow and there was a little confusion on offense as well as a couple mental mistakes that cost us big time in the first half. But the team never gave up and when Aiden got a pick six, we started playing with a whole new energy that led to more big plays on our part. There’s nothing better than when you know the team has your back, and that’s why we came back and played so well.”

The Titans plan to play their next away game at Antelope Union high school on Friday, November 6 at 7:00pm. Titan Up.