Wolves beat Hamilton for fifth consecutive state crown, extend win streak to 36 games.
The high school football season in Arizona came to a close over the weekend with champions crowned in seven classifications. Chandler was among the winners, taking home the Open Division trophy with a 23-21 win over rival Hamilton (Chandler) and finishing No. 1 in the MaxPreps Top 25 computer rankings.
That victory, coupled with its 10-0 record and tremendous play this season, makes Chandler the 2020 MaxPreps Champion for the state of Arizona.
In the title game, senior running back
Eli Sanders powered Chandler with 131 yards and two touchdowns, bringing his season totals to 1,371 yards and 23 scores.
Despite Sanders' performance, the Wolves still had to survive a late field goal attempt that would have put Hamilton ahead with just seconds to go. The kick sailed left to give Chandler – ranked No. 5 nationally by MaxPreps this week – its sixth state title since 2014.
Chandler also beat Hamilton 34-14 back on Nov. 20 in the regular season finale for both teams.
The Wolves averaged nearly 45 points per game during the COVID-shortened season with Central Florida-bound quarterback
Mikey Keene and Boise State-bound wide receiver
Jalen Richmond joining Sanders to give the offense a three-headed monster.
Chandler's senior class will graduate with a record of 49-3 since it entered the program in 2017.
2020 AIA state championsOpen Division – Chandler 6A – Chaparral (Scottsdale)5A – Sunrise Mountain (Peoria)4A – Mesquite (Gilbert)3A – Snowflake Final Arizona MaxPreps Top 25
About the MaxPreps computer rankingsOur computer rankings utilize the huge number of game results stored in the MaxPreps database. Generally, the more a team wins, the higher the ranking. However, the system takes into account quality wins (against other highly-ranked opponents) and strength of schedule. For example, a team's ranking is hurt more by losing to a team that is ranked below it than a team ranked ahead. Playoff wins are weighted higher than regular season games.
Other factors that will affect the rankings are times when MaxPreps has incomplete or inaccurate information. We will correct errors when they are reported to us. If we are missing a score, report it to us on the team's MaxPreps page. If we are missing a game on the schedule, send us a correction request.
