Why Chandler will defeat Liberty in Open semifinal
It figured these teams would meet again in the semifinals. Same place. Same suspense. Expect another thrilling ending.
Peoria Liberty (9-2) at Chandler (10-1). The Open semifinal on Saturday has been moved to 4 p.m., to try to avoid the traffic mess expected downtown with a parade going on. So get there early, because even with the time moved, expect standing room only.
These are two great teams who play tough defense and won’t give in to each other, no matter how deep the game goes. Last year, Chandler appeared to have Liberty done by halftime, leading 28-7. But Chandler didn’t score again until Liberty fought back to get the game into overtime, only for the Wolves to stop a 2-point play to hang on for a 35-34 win. Chandler went on to hang on for another trilling 23-21 win the following week against Hamilton for its second straight Open Division state title and fifth championship in a row.
The Wolves have looked beatable more this season than in any of the last four years, but their only loss was to Hamilton, 21-14, in the final week of the regular season, after Hamilton forced a turnover and scored late to break the tie.
How many times can Chandler perform a Houdini act to get out of trouble and survive? I think they’ll do it again Saturday against a confident, determined Liberty team that, like Hamilton, has a strong defensive front that can create havoc in the backfield. Why I think Chandler moves on:
X factor
Chandler quarterback Kenneth Cooper made a surprise appearance in the second half against Queen Creek and helped the Wolves go on a 34-7 run and win the quarterfinal game 48-28, after being down 28-14 at the half. Cooper reeled off some long runs and scored twice on the ground. But the more prostyle Blaine Hipa didn’t lose his job. He was able to three three TD passes. Having both in the mix has helped restart an offense that was getting predictable late in the season. Hamilton sacked Hipa 11 times. Cooper is built like Cam Newton. He’s 6-foot-5, about 230 pounds, fast, physical and brings a running dimension, a punch to the offense, keeping defenses guessing.
Don’t forget how good Hipa was in the regular-season meeting against Liberty, a game in which the Wolves flipped the switch in the second half and ended up rolling to a 41-21 win after being 21-21 at the half. He had probably his best game of the season, throwing for 361 yards and three TDs, completing 27 of 39 pases. But that game demonstrated how much Chandler has gone away from the run game this season with a young offensive line trying to find its footing.
Liberty’s defense will be ready for the passing and running quarterback. It has guys up front, especially My’Keil Gardner, who can make life miserable for the best quarterbacks. He had 4.5 sacks against Chandler Basha quarterback Demond Williams Jr., one of the fastest, most elusive quarterbacks in the state, in last week’s 38-20 win over the previously
unbeaten Bears. Anthony Ruiz had 2.5 sacks.
Defense
A reason these teams are where they’re at is because of their defense. Liberty is pretty complete at every level, led by strong safety Jax Stam, who can also come in tight and make plays as a linebacker. He has 102 tackles. He’s been starting on varsity since his freshman year. Never missed a game. He has been a big part in big games since his sophomore year, helping the Lions win the 6A title two years ago.
But Chandler’s defense from front to back is maybe as good as Hamilton. But the Wolves need defensive tackle A’mauri Washington to play. He missed last week’s game against Queen Creek. If he’s out there, the Wolves defense is so much better. There’s a reason he’s racked up more Power 5 offers in the last two months than any other Arizona high school junior. They’re watching his film. At 6-foot-4, 290 pounds, and cat quick, he’s a monster. He has six sacks and blocked two punts in one game. He complements the other big guys up front, Isaiah Johnson (16 tackles for losses) and Amar Elmore (12.5 tackles for losses). Chandler has 110.5 tackles for losses, 51 sacks and 14 interceptions. Travis Roberts and Alfred Smith each have three interceptions.
Kyion Grayes’ return
Chandler senior Kyion Grayes II has faced Liberty only one time, that coming in last year’s season opener. Who can forget that performance? The Ohio State-bound wide receiver had five catches for 138 yards and four touchdowns in a 44-10 rout. Injuries kept Grayes out of last year’s Open semifinal and this year’s regular-season meeting that Chandler won 41-21. At first thought to be out for the season after dislocating his elbow in the preseason scrimmage against Williams Field, Grayes has played the last five games. That should be enough time for Grayes to look like the No. 1 wide receiver in the state and the reason why Ohio State football coaches have been at Chandler this week to watch him practice. Grayes has had three of his four TD catches in the last two games, showing that he’s ready to really break out big against Liberty.
Final score
Chandler 35, Liberty 31