No. 18 Chandler defeats Valdosta in initial Geico Showcase in Texas

By Mitch Stephens Dec 23, 2016, 7:00pm

Sophomore quarterback Jacob Conover leads Chandler to its 11th straight victory.

Video: T.J. Green highlights
Best plays from Chandler running back who is headed to Oregon State.


Behind the running of T.J. Green and superb sophomore quarterback Jacob Conover, Chandler (Ariz.) finished off its season with an impressive 44-24 win Friday night over Valdosta (Ga.) in the first Geico Showcase at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

Conover completed 15 of his first 27 passes for 274 yards and three scores and Green, an Oregon State commit, had touchdown runs of 69 and 55 yards to go towards 182 yards in his first 18 carries as Chandler won its 11th straight game with a decisive victory at the practice facility of the Dallas Cowboys.

Chandler (13-2) came into the game ranked 18th in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard. Valdosta (14-2) won a Georgia 6A state title. Chandler pulled off a number of trick plays including Conover catching a two-point conversion.



The Geico Showcase features two games and two four state champions that is an offshoot of the State Bowl Championship Series that took place in Florida in 2014.

The nightcap features St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) versus Bingham (South Jordan, Utah).

St. Thomas (12-2), which won its 10th state crown last weekend with a decisive win over Plant (Tampa), is No. 6 in the nation and Bingham (14-0) is No. 18.
Chandler running back T.J. Green breaks into the open while trailed by a Valdosta defender.
Chandler running back T.J. Green breaks into the open while trailed by a Valdosta defender.
Photos by Robbie Rakestraw
Chandler quarterback Jacob Conover threw for three touchdown passes.
Chandler quarterback Jacob Conover threw for three touchdown passes.
Chandler (Ariz.) players proudly display the Geico State Champions Bowl Series trophy following their victory over Valdosta (Ga.) at The Star in Texas.
Chandler (Ariz.) players proudly display the Geico State Champions Bowl Series trophy following their victory over Valdosta (Ga.) at The Star in Texas.