Anna De La Cruz is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Hamilton High School for AZPreps365.com

 

For the first time since 2013, Hamilton has beaten Chandler and in so doing snapped the Wolves' 45-game win streak. With a final score of 21-14, the Huskies remained resilient until the end Friday night. 

The Battle for Arizona Avenue featured a battle of unbeaten Chandler-based schools. Chandler, which had not lost a game in 1,183 days, finally lost to the No.1 ranked Hamilton Huskies.

Jerry Loper Field was flooded with both Hamilton and Chandler fans. If you needed to describe the energy in this game, the words "Game Seven" fit perfectly. “The more excited they are, the more excited we’re going to be on the field," said Hamilton quarterback Nicco Marchiol, "and the better we're going to play."

“You know when you have an environment like this at home,” said Marchiol, “it's tough to lose and I know it is tough to play against.”

The Chandler Wolves struck first with a touchdown with 8:38 left in the first quarter, but that did not mean anything for the Huskies. “They stayed level-headed,” said Hamilton coach Michael Zdebski.

The Huskies answered right back in the first quarter by tying it. “(We) stayed focused for sure and stuck to the game plan,” said Hamilton wide receiver Christian Anaya. 

In the second quarter, Chandler scored another touchdown to go up by seven against the Huskies again, but that did not stop Hamilton from coming back and tying it once more. “We got every momentum down on us,” said defensive end for the Huskies, Chandler Davis. 

Both teams had a 9-0 record coming into the game, but it had been more than three years since the Wolves had been defeated. “It’s crucial that we keep our head down and don’t overlook anyone,” said Marchiol. 

Hamilton, which had a total of ten sacks in the game, completely limited the Wolves’ offense. “Pass-rushing and bullying offensive linemen,” said Davis, which helped the defense.

The Huskies did not have a lead through three quarters, but that all changed in the fourth when the Huskies scored the game-winning touchdown. “On that last touchdown that got us the lead,” said Marchiol, “I told coach, ‘Let’s throw it up, let's take a shot with Tré Spivey’ and those are the type of plays that I am willing to take because I have full trust that my guys are going to come down with the ball and that's what they did all night.”

This is the biggest big-school rivalry in Arizona, which made it an emotional win for some of the guys. “Growing up knowing this game and the rivalry is really big, but we won and now onto the next,” said Anaya.

Anaya hugging Marchiol after win. (Kaiden Fesler/AZPreps365)

“This is a once in a lifetime win, I will always remember this until the day I die,” said Davis. Chandler had won the last nine meetings against the Huskies. Hamilton was 17-2 in the last two years with both losses coming against Chandler. 

Not only did this win cap off the regular season for the Huskies, but it also really made the team come together to make plays. “It was a struggle but we came out with the victory,” said Davis. 

Marchiol finished 12 of 19 with 79-yards in the air. Anaya finished with 82 total yards. Davis finished with three sacks. 

Marchiol and Anaya on the field with the team post-game. (Kaiden Fesler/AZPreps365)

This win secured the top seed in the Open Division playoffs for the Huskies. Game one will be on November 19, when the Huskies take on the No. 16 seed. 

Grit, resilience and toughness helped the Huskies beat the Wolves said coach Zdebski. 

The two teams could potentially meet again on December 11 in the State Championship at Arizona State University.