Caleb Gottry attends Chandler Preparatory Academy and is a member of the AIA’s Student SID program.

On Friday the 13th, the Chandler Prep Titans fought for a win against Tonopah Valley under a full moon in their first home game of the season. The stands were packed with Titan fans after a rousing spirit week and pep rally for Friday’s homecoming game. The luck was with the Titans tonight, but it was not luck that gave them this win, but rather the disciplined preciseness of the defense that held previously high scoring Tonopah to only six points. Head Coach Goodman says this about what made his defense so successful in the difficult matchup:

“Adapting and overcoming hard times; facing themselves in the mirror and saying we’ve got to get better; switching some guys around a little bit, and they just owned it. They owned it.”

This CPA defense held Tonopah to less than half of the first downs the Titan offense was able to produce, while also drastically limiting penalties. They were also able to keep a scoreless game for the first half, including stopping a major breakaway just 25 yards short of the end zone. The sophomore heavy Titan defense stepped up to the challenge and, apart from the 75-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, kept Tonopah’s offense in check with quick tackles and sacks from defensive sophomores Caleb Yeung, Colton Hackenyos, Josh VanOrt, Langston Harris, and Zach Romesburg, along with senior Isiah Usher. Usher credited the defensive line.

“The linebackers were able to shoot in and get the tackles. As long as we stayed disciplined and stay with the line, we were able to read where they were running and get the tackles. If we didn’t do that, they’d run all over us, but we were able to stay disciplined and stay with it.”

Junior Reese Vilaboy made a crucial interception at the end of the game, allowing the Titan offense to take a knee and run the clock. Coach Goodman recognized his junior linebacker Sam Martin as “player of the game” for his exceptional work on defense as well as his production as a running back.

The Titan offense performed well in Friday’s game, driving the ball down the field, but often coming up just short of a touchdown. Running back, Sam Martin ran for over 70 yards on 20 carries including the 16-yard run for a touchdown as the clock wound down in the fourth quarter. The Titans also pulled out their passing game more than had been normal in Fridays game, throwing tight-window passes to receivers Christian LeClaire, Cameron Nikjou, Andrew Cook, and Quenton Barger. Despite several dropped passes early in the game, each of these players pulled the ball in for some significant gains and first downs, continuing to move the chains for the Titan offense. Kicker Carson Zilmer attempted three Titan field goals that were highly contested by the fans and the coaches, but called no good by the officials. Despite these struggles, he was called on to convert the extra point after the Titan touchdown, securing the one point that became the difference in the game. Defensive sophomore, Zach Romesburg congratulated Zilmer after the game.

“Carson wasn’t having a great game, but at the end there, he got that dub for us. That’s why we won seven to six. Atta-boy Carson.”

Come out and see the Titans face Trivium Prep on the Titan’s home field Friday, September 20th at 7:00. Titan Up.