Visiting Mtn. Pointe pulls off upset vs. No. 1 Chandler
Following a loss to national power Chaminade Prep (Mission Viejo, Calif.), Phoenix Mountain Pointe stunned topranked Chandler, 24-21, on its home turf Friday.
Mountain Pointe quarterback Nick Wallerstedt got the game's first score by way of a 3-yard keeper with just over a minute remaining in the first quarter. Two plays later, Jacob Olsen recovered a fumble by Chandler's offense and returned it 12 yards to make it a two-score game.
The Pride (2-1) kept the pressure on with a four-play, 83-yard drive punctuated by Jakim McKinney's 2-yard plunge early in the second.
Chandler (2-2) finally got a defensive stop midway through the second quarter and got on the board with a DeCarlos Brooks touchdown run with just over four minutes remaining in the half.
Neither team scored in the third until Ben Abercrombie kicked a 16-yard field goal to make it 24-14 in favor of the Pride.
However, on the next possession, Brooks scored on a 1-yard run to make it a three-point game. Mountain Pointe recovered the onside kick, but fumbled a few plays later and Chandler's Avery Carrington recovered.
With the ball and just two minutes left, the Chandler offense just couldn't pull through and Mountain Pointe held on for the win.
Standout performer
Nick Wallerstedt took advantage of a sloppy Chandler contingent on Friday, grinding out 79 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. An effective running game behind him allowed the junior quarterback to pick his spots from the pocket – and he did not waste his opportunities.
More standouts
Jacob Olsen (Mountain Pointe): Recovered and returned a fumble for a touchdown in the first quarter and recorded an important sack in the second half.
Jarick Caldwell (Chandler): In a relatively quiet night for the Wolves' offense, Caldwell still impressed with six catches for 50 yards.
Star watch
Delano Selgado (Mountain Pointe): Although he didn't reach the end zone, the speedy back was a productive playmaker for the Pride – finishing with 46 yards on 8 carries and a key interception on defense. Jacob Conover and Gunner Romney
(Chandler): The Wolves surely missed their standout quarterback-receiver duo on Friday night. Conover – who has offers from Alabama and Arizona, among others – is out with a shoulder sprain. The BYU commit Romney is nursing a knee injury.
Quote of the game
After a hard-fought loss the previous week, Wallerstedt said his team deserved the win after all the hard work they put in during preparation for Friday's game.
"It feels great," Wallerstedt said. "We've been fighting all week, preparing as a team and staying focused. We deserve it."
Stat of the game
As a team, Mountain Pointe rushed for an even 200 yards.
Up next
Chandler will travel to face Phoenix Sandra Day O'Connor next Friday, and Mountain Pointe will also take to the road for a bout with Mesa Mountain View.