Chandler Gets Defensive, Edges Gritty Salpointe

It wasn’t always pretty but no one in or around the Chandler football program are complaining after the Wolves’ defense made a number of big plays in a back-and-forth 24-16 win over Tucson Salpointe at Hamilton High School Saturday night in one Open Division semi-final played at Hamilton High School.

The two-time defending 6A state champion got a late touchdown pass from junior Mikey Keene to Jalen Richmond and moments later were gifted another score on a bad punt snap in the end zone which was pounced on by Chandler (12-0) junior defensive end Zion Magalei and pushed the lead 24-16.

Chandler defense comes up with another sack. Salpointe forced to punt but the snap is high and over the head of the punter. Chandler DE Zion Magalei recovers it in the end zone for the Wolves TD.

24-16 Chandler | 7:46 4Q #VXLive pic.twitter.com/MYBO9oTSzB

— Zach Alvira (@ZachAlvira) November 24, 2019

Salpointe (10-1) got one last chance after recovering an Eli Sanders’ fumble but a sack essentially ended any hopes of a late-game rally.

The top-seed will tangle with #3 Saguaro on December 7th at 4:00 at Sun Devil Stadium. The Sabercats came back to beat Chandler’s neighborhood rival, Hamilton, at Coronado High School in Scottsdale.