Chandler vs. Hamilton: Get ready for Arizona's biggest high school football rivalry

High school sports media days are in vogue this school year. Almost everybody is doing one, it seems.

But rarely do you find a tradition like the Battle for Arizona Avenue luncheon.

What started in 2013 when Steve Belles was leading Hamiton's football team and Shaun Aguano was in charge of Chandler's program, the annual luncheon, this time at Soho 63 on Tuesday, again was the center stage early to build up the biggest high school football rivarly in Arizona — Chandler vs. Hamilton.

Less than four miles separate the schools along Arizona Avenue. It is billed as "The Battle for Arizona Avenue," and the logo will be on the center of Hamilton's field on Thursday night at 7 p.m., when the teams battle it out for the 23rd year.

Emcee Brad Cesmat joked with Hamilton offensive line coach Mark Tucker that leather helmets were used in the beginning of this rivalry. Tucker has been a part Hamilton football since it began playing in 1998, adusting to the coaching regimes, starting with John Wrenn to Steve Belles to Dick Baniszewski (as a one-year interim) and to now, in his fifth year, Mike Zdebski.

Last year, Hamilton ended Chandler's 45-game winning streak. It was also the first time Hamilton beat Chandler since 2013, after having beaten the Wolves 17 consecutive times, dating to their first-ever meeting in 1999. That's when Terrell Suggs had transferred over from Chandler to Hamilton and became an unstoppable tailback, barrelling through and past defenders. He later became an unstoppable defensive end at Arizona State, before a stellar NFL career at outside linebacker/defensive end.

On Thursday night, when the rivals meet at Hamilton, Chandler will try to reassert itsellf as the king of Arizona Avenue.

"This Hamilton team, their defense is an excellent defense," Chandler coach Rick Garretson said.

He knows his Wolves will have to play their best game, especially on offense, after scoring on a game-opening drive, then getting shut out the rest of the way in a 14-7 loss to Chandler Basha.

Chandler is in an unfamilar spot heading into the final regular-season football game — not perched atop the state in the rankings.

The Wolves (8-1) are No. 3 in the Open and in 6A rankings, after No. 1 Peoria Liberty and Basha.

Hamilton (7-2) is ranked No. 4 by The Arizona Repulblic with its losses coming against Las Vegas Bishop Gorman (45-0) and Basha (26-23).

This has been a season of adversity for the Huskies, starting with being placed on probation only  to have it lifted, replacing their defensive coordinator, then losing starting quarterback Roch Cholowsky and running back Nick Switzer to injuries.

Everybody has adapated, from Parker Barrett as the DC, to junior Beckham Pellant at QB and 5-foot-6 running back Breylon Blount emerging, complementing tailback Logan Krei. Both backs are averaging eight yards a carry.

"He's got some moxie to him," Garretson said of Pellant. "It's like anything, you've got to get reps in games."

After struggling in the Oct. 20 loss to Basha, Pellant has been a different quarterback, throwing with accuracy and poise and making plays with his legs.

"On that Tuesday in practice (following the Basha loss), he started letting it rip," Zdebski said. "We're like, 'OK, we might have a chance.' He did it on Friday."

Hamilton coaches let Pellant know he can run the ball, that he didn't have to slide to avoid getting hit, and to just loosen up and throw with confidence. That has changed Hamilton's offensive dynamics.

But this is one of the best Wolves' defenses since Chandler started piling up state championships — four under Aguano before he left after the 2018 season to coach at Arizona State — and two in a row under Garretson.

A'mauri Washington, an Oregon commit, leads a strong front line. Linebackers Dominic Hanger, Roman Kupu and Donnovan Hamblin are outstanding tacklers. The back end is well-protected by Kennedy Urlacher, Orion Kupu and Juma Kashanda.

"Ever since I came here (last year from Detroit), it's been a big rivalry," Washington said. "Every time I bring up the name, it's, 'Ah, we can't talk about this.' It means a lot."

Kashanda knows that Hamilton's offense will be a test, and believes the Chandler offense can get it going, even without injured star running back Ca'lil Valentine.

"If everybody does what they need to do, I'm pretty sure we'll be fine," Kashanda said.

Hamilton senior center Griffin Stalfort  is hoping to finish his high school career never having lost to Chandler in a game in which he played. He was a part of lower-level teams at Hamilton that beat Chandler his first two years in high school.

"Hoping to keep it rolling," said Stalfort, who is committed to Air Force Academy. "Being able to snap that (45-game winning) streak was awesome. I was in tears after the game. I couldn't believe how amazing it was. It was a great feeling. And then we were the No. 1 seed going into the playoffs."

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Chandler, Hamilton ready for Arizona's biggest HS football rivalry