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Over the past five years, Chandler hadn’t been used to facing a whole bunch of adversity.
In truth, Chandler had been doling out most of the adversity.
From 2006 to 2009, the Lions forged an exemplary 35-6 record. The 2009 season produced a 7-5 record — nothing to brag about by Chandler standards — but still a winning product.
The Lions weren’t quite ready for what was going to transpire in 2010. Coach Neal Bacon’s squad opened with six consecutive losses and the immediate future didn’t look too bright with 3-0 (district) Bristow coming to town last Friday night.
The Lions turned the table on the Pirates — who came into the fray undefeated in District 3A-4 — by posting a 32-27 triumph.
That not only snapped the Lions’ losing streak but put them squarely back in the playoff picture.
At 1-2 in 3A-4, the Lions are tied for the fourth-place slot with Little Axe and Bethel. The top four finishers in the district advance to the playoffs.
Perkins-Tryon and Bristow are tied forthe district’s top spot at 3-1 with Prague third at 2-1. Perkins-Tryon, 6-1 overall, will entertain Chandler at 7:30 tonight.
“Last Friday was the first time we won the turnover battle this year,” Bacon said. Bristow committed three turnovers, all fumbles, while Chandler lost one fumble and had a pass intercepted.
Senior Chance Rich, who was inserted into the starting quarterback role 3 1/2 games ago, propelled the win over Bristow by rushing for 100 yards — including a touchdown — on eight carries. He also passed for 115 yards, hitting four of eight attempts.
Rich was formerly a tailback who hadn’t played quarterback since the eighth grade. “We needed to make a change and Chance was a little more of a running threat,” Bacon said.
Since Rich took the QB throttle, he has rolled up 310 passing yards.
Tailback Jorge Mares was also instrumental in the win with 157 yards on 33 carries.
“That was the key for us, being able to run the ball consistently,” Bacon said. Chandler accumulated 263 rushing yards.
Perkins-Tryon is also coming off an upset loss, 32-27 to Prague.
“Perkins looked like it was head-and-shoulders above everyone else in the district before last Friday,” Bacon said. “But Prague just ran the ball and ran the ball and slowed Perkins down.”
Bacon said Perkins-Tryon possesses good size and plays hard-nosed defense. “They have a big fullback/linebacker (Kenneth Allen) who is about 6-2, 240. He looks like a Division I player,” Bacon said. “Their quarterback (Travis Battles) is pretty good and their running back, Brady Huckabay, is a big-play guy. Our track coach said he ran a 10.7 100 at the state meet. He’s been their home run guy.”
Perkins-Tryon, guided by former Stroud coach Lloyd Workman, operates the wishbone offense.
“It’s the first wishbone we’ve seen this year,” Bacon said. “It’s tough to prepare for the wishbone in a short week. Lloyd Workman does a great job with it.”
Although Chandler and Perkins-Tryon haven’t met recently during the regular season, they have scrimmaged each other the last four years.
“We’re in real good physical shape,” Bacon said. “We’ve tried to lighten Jorge Mares’s load this week so he will be ready for Thursday’s game.”
Mares, who has been starting on defense as a linebacker, has rushed the ball 62 times over the past two games. Mares has 669 rushing yards on the season while Rich has piled up 512.
Linebacker R.J. Farley has been outstanding for the Lions. “He’s been our most consistent defensive player,” Bacon said.
Perkins-Tryon won its first six games before falling to Prague. The Demons opened the season with non-district victories over Jones (19-14), McLoud (32-14) and Cushing (25-14). Perkins-Tryon also has district wins over Bethel (21-6), Little Axe (42-14) and Star Spencer (35-8).
Over the past five years, Chandler hadn’t been used to facing a whole bunch of adversity.
In truth, Chandler had been doling out most of the adversity.
From 2006 to 2009, the Lions forged an exemplary 35-6 record. The 2009 season produced a 7-5 record — nothing to brag about by Chandler standards — but still a winning product.
The Lions weren’t quite ready for what was going to transpire in 2010. Coach Neal Bacon’s squad opened with six consecutive losses and the immediate future didn’t look too bright with 3-0 (district) Bristow coming to town last Friday night.
The Lions turned the table on the Pirates — who came into the fray undefeated in District 3A-4 — by posting a 32-27 triumph.
That not only snapped the Lions’ losing streak but put them squarely back in the playoff picture.
At 1-2 in 3A-4, the Lions are tied for the fourth-place slot with Little Axe and Bethel. The top four finishers in the district advance to the playoffs.
Perkins-Tryon and Bristow are tied forthe district’s top spot at 3-1 with Prague third at 2-1. Perkins-Tryon, 6-1 overall, will entertain Chandler at 7:30 tonight.
“Last Friday was the first time we won the turnover battle this year,” Bacon said. Bristow committed three turnovers, all fumbles, while Chandler lost one fumble and had a pass intercepted.
Senior Chance Rich, who was inserted into the starting quarterback role 3 1/2 games ago, propelled the win over Bristow by rushing for 100 yards — including a touchdown — on eight carries. He also passed for 115 yards, hitting four of eight attempts.
Rich was formerly a tailback who hadn’t played quarterback since the eighth grade. “We needed to make a change and Chance was a little more of a running threat,” Bacon said.
Since Rich took the QB throttle, he has rolled up 310 passing yards.
Tailback Jorge Mares was also instrumental in the win with 157 yards on 33 carries.
“That was the key for us, being able to run the ball consistently,” Bacon said. Chandler accumulated 263 rushing yards.
Perkins-Tryon is also coming off an upset loss, 32-27 to Prague.
“Perkins looked like it was head-and-shoulders above everyone else in the district before last Friday,” Bacon said. “But Prague just ran the ball and ran the ball and slowed Perkins down.”
Bacon said Perkins-Tryon possesses good size and plays hard-nosed defense. “They have a big fullback/linebacker (Kenneth Allen) who is about 6-2, 240. He looks like a Division I player,” Bacon said. “Their quarterback (Travis Battles) is pretty good and their running back, Brady Huckabay, is a big-play guy. Our track coach said he ran a 10.7 100 at the state meet. He’s been their home run guy.”
Perkins-Tryon, guided by former Stroud coach Lloyd Workman, operates the wishbone offense.
“It’s the first wishbone we’ve seen this year,” Bacon said. “It’s tough to prepare for the wishbone in a short week. Lloyd Workman does a great job with it.”
Although Chandler and Perkins-Tryon haven’t met recently during the regular season, they have scrimmaged each other the last four years.
“We’re in real good physical shape,” Bacon said. “We’ve tried to lighten Jorge Mares’s load this week so he will be ready for Thursday’s game.”
Mares, who has been starting on defense as a linebacker, has rushed the ball 62 times over the past two games. Mares has 669 rushing yards on the season while Rich has piled up 512.
Linebacker R.J. Farley has been outstanding for the Lions. “He’s been our most consistent defensive player,” Bacon said.
Perkins-Tryon won its first six games before falling to Prague. The Demons opened the season with non-district victories over Jones (19-14), McLoud (32-14) and Cushing (25-14). Perkins-Tryon also has district wins over Bethel (21-6), Little Axe (42-14) and Star Spencer (35-8).
