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

On Friday, October 15th, the Chandler Prep Titans hosted the Glendale Prep Griffins and won 57-16. Facing this physically bigger team, the Titans learned quickly to tackle low to make stops. Throughout the game, Griffin quarterback senior Samuel Terpstra was the driving force of Glendale Prep’s offense. Terpstra would frequently look to his receivers, but eventually be forced to tuck and run due to great coverage by Titan cornerbacks. Though he ran for several Griffin first downs, the Titan defensive line put too much pressure on the quarterback and Glendale Prep often turned the ball over on downs.

Chandler Prep’s ever-present defense prevented a Griffin touchdown until the end of the third quarter. Glendale Prep’s second touchdown came on a kick return and they successfully completed both two-point conversions. Despite these two scores, several Titans were able to leave their mark on the field defensively like sophomore Adrian De Cossio with his first career sack. Titan senior and defensive lineman Zach Romesburg had several tackles in the backfield and a fumble recovery. He spoke about the defensive strengths of all the Titans but ultimately gave the credit to the offense:

“We played hard. We all came out and gave it everything we had. We shut down their senior quarterback—pretty good guy. And then, our offense—they couldn’t be stopped. The running game was just impeccable and Sterling is that dude for us.”

Once again, Titan running back junior Sterling Harris stepped up for Chandler Prep and his injured fellow running backs. On Friday, Harris had over 350 all-purpose yards bringing his consecutive two game total yards to over 650. This game put him in the top ten for rushing yards in the 2A conference.

Harris scored six touchdowns including an 82-yard touchdown after a Titan interception by sophomore Creon Fulgham. Junior Nolan Kemper also snagged an interception for Chandler Prep which turned into another Titan touchdown.

Kemper contributed greatly to the team as the quarterback as well with over 160 passing yards and a rushing touchdown. Senior Titan receiver Grant Peake scored his first touchdown of the season taking the Titans up 14-0 in the second quarter. His father and Titan Head Coach had this to say about Friday’s game:

“Glendale Prep is a great team. They were a tough opponent the past couple of years, so I was just really proud that my guys were able to come out and make a statement and really hit the road running. I think we’re ready to move on to the next week.”

The Titans play their next game away against the Arizona Lutheran Coyotes on October 22nd at 7:00pm. Titan Up.