By Justin Janssen ’11
THE ROUNDUP
First Down: Brophy falls in Fiesta shootout
On Thursday, Sept. 23, the Brophy Broncos (2-3 overall, 0-1 fiesta) lost to the Chandler Wolves (4-1 overall, 2-0 fiesta) in a Fiesta Region high scoring affair 43-29.
The 72 combined points are the most scored in a Brophy football game since 2004.
Brett Hundley, four star UCLA quarterback recruit, was able to lead Chandler on five scoring drives in the first half. All of them took 10 plays or more and four of their five first half drives went for touchdowns.
With the Broncos down 29-14 entering the second half, Brophy’s defense sparked their offense.
On Chandler’s first two possessions in the second half, the Brophy defense forced two three and outs.
Late in the third quarter Josh Dennard ’11 returned a Chandler punt 35 yards, taking it to the Chandler 15 yard line.
Two plays later Brophy pulled within two points of Chandler on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Bruggman’13 to Devon Allen ’13. Brophy would convert the two point conversion, which tied the game with 3:06 remaining in the third quarter.
Chandler responded by scoring two touchdowns on their next two drives. Brophy missed a field goal and turned it over on downs during that same interval.
Second Down: Dennard breaks loose
For the first four weeks of the season, Josh Dennard ’11 was splitting time in the backfield. This week, the coaching staff decided to move Dennard to near fulltime duty alongside Kevin Molloy ’11.
On Thursday night, Dennard carried the ball 19 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by his 59-yard touchdown run on an inside shovel pass.
Dennard is now playing both sides of the field after Marcus-Mehlhaf Brown ’11 switched positions from corner to safety.
Dennard also had a kickoff and punt return of over 30 yards.
On kickoffs, Chandler attempted to directionally kick the ball away from Dennard.
Third Down: Hundley, Chandler’s offense too much for Brophy
Coming into the 2010 season, it is widely thought that Hundley is the best quarterback in Arizona.
ESPN.com Scouts Inc. compared him to Donavon McNabb in terms of physical tools.
Hundley’s running ability is well known; his elusiveness and strength make him tough to bring down.
There was something Hundley added to his arsenal; “He (Hundley) has really improved his passing ability” said Brophy head coach Mr. Scooter Molander after the game.
On the day Hundley threw for nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns, he also ran for another 88 yards.
Hundley had plenty of help from his teammates. Aaron Mayo ran for 103 yards and a score. Michael Okonkwo, a 6-5 wide receiver, had 91 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Fourth Down: Fans should not give up on the team
It’s halfway through the regular season and Brophy has a losing record, including a loss to arch-rival St. Mary’s a few weeks ago.
But there’s still reason to have optimism. In 2008, Brophy started the year 2-3 as they have in 2010. The end result from 2008 was a second consecutive trip to University of Phoenix Stadium for the state championship.
Some fans are concerned about Brophy giving up 73 points in the last two games, but Chandler and Centennial are both top five teams in the state, regardless of the division.
In 5A Division I, 16 out of 31 teams make the playoffs. Entering the duel against Chandler, Brophy sat at 11th in power points.
The formula for power points is based off the amount of wins a team has, the amount of wins the team’s opponent has and the amount of wins a team’s opponent’s opponents have.
