Arizona high school football rankings: Chandler crowned 2020 MaxPreps Champion, finishes No. 1

Wolves beat Hamilton for fifth consecutive state crown, extend win streak to 36 games.

By
Dec 15, 2020, 11:00am
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.
Photo by Darin Sicurello
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.

Defensively, Chandler was led by Oregon pledge Brandon Buckner, San Diego State commit Hank Pepper and Jeremiah Tyler – a trio that combined to pile up over 30 tackles for loss.

Chandler's senior class will graduate with a record of 49-3 since it entered the program in 2017.

2020 AIA state champions

Open Division – Chandler
6A – Chaparral (Scottsdale)
5A – Sunrise Mountain (Peoria)
4A – Mesquite (Gilbert)
3A – Snowflake

Final Arizona MaxPreps Top 25

# School Rec. Str. +/-
1Chandler10-046.4--
2Hamilton (Chandler)8-241.7--
3Liberty (Peoria)6-447.2--
4Chaparral (Scottsdale)6-237.3+1
5Centennial (Peoria)6-342.7+1
6Saguaro (Scottsdale)5-214.4-2
7Desert Edge (Goodyear)8-128.3+1
8Sunrise Mountain (Peoria)9-224.8+1
9Highland (Gilbert)7-436.3-2
10Queen Creek6-333.0--
11Mesquite (Gilbert)9-116.2+6
12SCHS (Tucson)7-121.0-1
13Pinnacle (Phoenix)3-437.5+3
14Casteel (Queen Creek)5-436.3-2
15Corona del Sol (Tempe)8-117.5-2
16Boulder Creek (Anthem)8-221.1-2
17Cactus (Glendale)8-315.3-2
18O'Connor (Phoenix)6-426.9--
19Higley (Gilbert)4-534.1--
20Williams Field (Gilbert)5-326.0--
21Snowflake10-16.2+10
22ALA (Queen Creek)8-27.6+1
23Ironwood (Glendale)7-313.3-1
24Yuma Catholic (Yuma)10-11.4-3
25Campo Verde (Gilbert)5-315.6--
About the MaxPreps computer rankings

Our 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.

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