Story and photos by Cedric Cobb
CHANDLER, Ariz. — Basha capped its season with a dominant 34–7 win over Chandler on Saturday night, securing the Open Division state championship for the second time in four years and reestablishing itself as one of the top programs in Arizona.
Playing without starting quarterback Brodie Vehrs, the Bears turned to junior Jake Rogers, who delivered a poised and efficient performance. Rogers opened the scoring late in the first quarter, breaking free for a 30-yard touchdown run to give Basha a 7–0 lead with 2:14 remaining.
Chandler struggled to gain rhythm early, and a turnover halted its best first-quarter drive when junior quarterback Will Menci fumbled at the Wolves’ 39-yard line. Rogers later converted a fourth-down pass to junior receiver Jaden Baldwin, setting up senior Mason Lewis’ 10-yard jet sweep touchdown that pushed the Bears ahead 14–0 at the 10:03 mark of the second quarter.
Lewis, a Vanderbilt commit, swung momentum repeatedly. After Chandler running back David Dougle ripped off a 35-yard run, Lewis stripped the ball and recovered it at the Basha 30. The Bears added a 22-yard field goal late in the second quarter to extend the lead to 17–0. Chandler’s final scoring attempt of the half ended with senior defensive back Kaden Williams’ interception in the end zone.
Basha opened the third quarter with a 57-yard catch-and-run by senior receiver Kash Brock (image above), who finished with a game-high 101 receiving yards on just two catches. Chandler held at the goal line, forcing a field goal, but the Bears pushed their lead to 20–0 with 5:37 left in the quarter. Penalties helped Chandler move downfield, and Menci’s 3-yard rushing score cut the deficit to 20–7 with 3:05 remaining in the third. But any Wolves momentum ended there. Brock an Iowa State commit, hauled in a 44-yard pass on third down to set up Lewis’ second touchdown, a 9-yard run early in the fourth that extended the Basha lead to 27–7.Chandler turned the ball over on downs on the following drive, and Rogers connected with junior receiver Christian Diaz for a 6-yard touchdown, stretching the Bears’ lead to 34–7 with 8:46 left. The final score had the Basha Bears defeating the Chandler Wolves 34-7.
Lewis (Image above) was named both Defensive MVP and Overall Game MVP after recording two touchdowns, forcing a fumble, and recovering a fumble. Junior defensive lineman Cau’re Smith led Chandler with nine tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Chandler closed the season 10–3 and as the Open Division runner-up. Basha finished 12–1 and captures its second Open Division title in the last four years.
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