Video: 2016 regular season
See Chandler's T.J. Green in action all season long.It was less than three months ago that
Mountain Pointe (Phoenix) had its way with
Chandler (Ariz.) in a regular-season game.
Perhaps Chandler was playing possum.
Chandler QB Jacob Conover
Photo by Mark Jones
Riding the legs of
T.J Green and receiving prowess of
Jarick Caldwell, Chandler more than avenged the lopsided Sept. 8 loss with a resounding 36-17 victory over the No. 8 team in the nation Saturday in the Arizona 6A championship game.
Green rushed 30 times for 233 yards and three scores and Caldwell hauled in five passes for 104 yards and two scores from
Jacob Conover as Chandler (12-2) completely turned around a 52-7 loss to Mountain Pointe (13-1).
Mountain Pointe, trying to repeat its 14-0 season from 2013 despite losing its starting quarterback and leading rusher at midseason, jumped out of the gates behind an 87-yard touchdown run by
Rashie Hodge Jr. midway through the first quarter.
But Green, like he did all night, responded with a 46-yard scoring run of his own and after a 2-point conversion, Chandler was up for good 8-7. A Conover to Caldwell 59-yard touchdown pass got things really going for Chandler, which came in averaging more than 56 points per game in its past nine games. It finished with 10 straight wins.
A Green 15-yard touchdown jaunt made it 22-7 midway through the second and Chandler would not be caught, though Mountain Pointe All-American candidate
Isaiah Pola-Mao made things tough with two interceptions though Conover, only a sophomore, passed for 172.
Imani Lee matched Pola-Mao with two interceptions for Chandler.
Chandler running back T.J. Green scored three touchdowns in the victory over Mountain Pointe.
Photos by Mark Jones
Chandler players celebrate their victory in the AIA Division 6A championship game at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
Chandler players hoist the state championship trophy.
