The entire 2019 Chaparral football season has built up to this point: the first AIA Open Division playoff. The 8-2 Firebirds went on a six-game winning streak to end the regular season, including a victory over No. 5 seed Pinnacle, to secure the No. 8 seed in the open playoff. The open division playoff takes the eight best teams from the top three divisions (6A, 5A, and 4A) to determine the true state champion of Arizona. This is the chance the Firebirds have wanted all season.

“We know we can play with anybody,” head coach Brent Barnes said, following a last second win in the final game of the regular season over Liberty. “When we come to play and we get after it, I feel like we can compete with anybody.”

The start to the season was up and down for the Firebirds. They lost the opening game of the season 44-21 to No. 7 seed Hamilton. The Firebirds won their next two games before losing to No. 3 seed Saguaro.

Following the Saguaro loss Barnes repeatedly said, “We don’t take moral victories.”

A big factor in Chaparral’s early struggles has to be the fact that they were without star quarterback Jack Miller. The future Ohio State Buckeye missed four games. In that time, the Firebirds went 3-1 with sophomore Brayten Silbor under center. While Silbor played well tossing 11 touchdowns compared to two interceptions, the lack of experience cost the Firebirds at times, including in the second half against Saguaro.

Miller returned in the Firebird’s win over O’Connor. Following Miller’s return, the Firebirds won all four games including massive wins over Pinnacle and Liberty. In those games Miller threw for 884 yards and 10 touchdowns. His ability to extend plays and keep his eyes down field is what sets Miller apart. His showcased this ability in the Pinnacle game throwing for more than 300 yards and three highlight-reel touchdowns.

He did this again in the Liberty game, on the last play with two seconds left. The Lions got pressure up the middle, and Miller ran to his right. He threw a jump ball into the endzone which was caught by Sean Parker to win the game and ultimately secure the Firebirds spot in the playoffs.

When speaking on the impact of Miller’s return, Barnes said, “When things get off script Jack, who has four years of varsity experience, can make a play to keep you in it.”

The Firebirds will be relying on their “quick-strike offense”, as Saguaro head coach Jason Mohns described it, to put up points as they are facing the best teams in Arizona. The most dangerous tandem that the Firebirds have in their arsenal is the Miller-Christakos connection, which racked up 445 yards and six touchdowns since Miller’s return.

Tommy Christakos, a California Golden Bear commit, is a physical wide receiver who is a matchup nightmare for defensive backs. The Firebirds also have a dynamic running back who can take it to the house on any given play. Junior Jared Williams averages 6.6 yards per carry and has rushed for 1032 yards and 21 touchdowns this season. He also is a big part of the passing attack catching 24 passes for 299 yards and four touchdowns.

“When everything is clicking we can put up a lot of points on anyone,” Christakos said.

Chaparral’s defense has been improving all year, but the Chandler offense will be their toughest challenge yet. The Wolves are averaging 53.1 points per game. The Wolves senior running back Dae Dae Hunter is averaging 11.4 yards per carry and has rushed for 30 touchdowns. The team as a whole has rushed for 50 touchdowns.

Despite the tough opponent, Chaparral defensive coordinator Derrick Nsubuga believes his defense can come up with the stops when it matters most to win football games. Down the road, the Chaparral defense stepped up big time holding Mountain Pointe to only 9 points. Then, against Pinnacle after allowing the Pioneers scored early in the first quarter, the Firebird defense held them scoreless for two and a half quarters. In the final game of the regular season, with their playoff hopes on the line, the Firebirds were down two scores late in the fourth quarter and came back to win.

“We said guys ‘We have been here before we were down late against Sandra Day,’” Nsubuga said following the game. “‘We just need two stops and we are going to win the game.’ We made the stops when we needed to and our offense went down and scored.”

The Chaparral Firebirds will have to show up on both offense and defense if they are to beat Chandler in the first round of the Open Division playoffs. The game kicks off Friday night at 7 p.m. at Chandler High School.