Chandler QB Conover set for big game vs. Perry
There are quite a few future college football players to watch in the Week 7 Game of the Week.
The game pits two-time defending 6A champion Chandler and state runner-up, Gilbert Perry, on Friday night.
Chandler (4-1)
Jacob Conover, QB, 6-1, 205, Sr.
Arizona State, under new coach Herm Edwards, made a great run on Conover, who has committed to BYU. But before he begins college, he plans to go on a twoyear church mission after he finishes his high school academic requirements in December. If he wasn’t in the same class as Pinnacle’s Spencer Rattler, he would be the No. 1 quarterback in Arizona. Conover has great poise and intelligence, finds open receivers, never solely locking into his first option. It is why Chandler has won so many games under his leadership. The bigger the game, the better he plays. DeCarlos Brooks, RB, 5-11, 195, Sr.
Committed to California. Brooks has run for more than 2,100 yards in his varsity career. He has 526 yards and eight TDs on 82 carries this season. He had one of his better games last week in a win against Mesa Desert Ridge, running for 137 yards and two TDs on 15 carries against a good defense. Brayden Liebrock, TE, 6-5, 225, Sr.
Committed to Texas. Teams have been keying on him this season with lots of double teams. He has 19 catches for 172 yards. He is too good an athlete to be held in check. Matthew Pola-Mao, DT, 6-1, 310, Sr.
This will be Pola-Mao’s first game this season, after being ineligible the first five games because of the Arizona Interscholastic Association transfer rule. Early in 2018, Pola-Mao listed Michigan, Oregon, Utah, USC, Washington and Tennessee among his favorites. Pola-Mao gives the Chandler defensive front an extra push. Gunner Maldonado, Athlete, 6-0, 185, Jr.
He might be the best athlete on the team. Earlier in the season, coach Shaun Aguano added receiving duties to Maldonado’s game, making the offense more
dynamic and giving Conover a big-play threat. He projects to be a safety in college. But he can also return kicks. He is a threat everywhere on the field and major colleges will be in hot pursuit of him over the next year.
Worth watching: FS Avery Carrington, 6-2, 195, senior, committed to Nevada . ... LB Zach Bowers, 6-0, 215, senior, great motor, has committed to Hawaii. One of the state’s best inside linebackers. ... OL Josh Pena, 6-1, 290, senior, anchor of the line. Missed a few games with injury but he’s back . ... OLB/DE Max Sandlin, 6-3, 220, senior, is committed to Navy.
Perry (5-1)
Brayden Rohme, OT, 6-7, 275, Sr.
He is azcentral sports’ top-ranked offensive lineman this season. He committed to California. Anchors a talented line that is making junior QB Chubba Purdy’s job easier and opening huge holes for RB Jalen Young, who ran for a school-record 338 yards last week. Chubba Purdy, QB, 6-2, 196, Jr.
He may never catch his prolific older brother’s passing records but he could see more college coaches than Brock ever saw. Chubba is a little taller than Brock and possesses a great arm and can run. His recruiting will continue to ramp up. Kyle Patterson, TE, 6-6, 230, Sr.
Son of former Tempe McClintock, Arizona State and Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Shawn Patterson. Great athlete who is being recruited in both football and basketball.
Worth watching: RB Jalen Young, 510, 195, senior, is starting to really take off. Another game like last week and major college coaches can’t ignore him . ... SS Adrei Mayberry, 6-1, 205, junior, great ball skills, a beast at center field . ... WR Colby Dickie, 5-9, 185, senior, very underrated receiver who has all the skills to make it in college.