Chaparral’s athleticism too much for 14th-seeded Tolleson

As you enter Chaparral’s plush football stadium and notice the various region and state championship banners it’s clear the Firebirds mean business in November.

The 2013 version took their first step towards possibly adding another ripping 14th-seed Tolleson 64-21 in first-round Division II play in Scottsdale.

The ‘Birds set the tone in the early moments and never looked back after senior tailback Elijah Castro took the opening kickoff and raced deep into Wolverine territory. One play later ASU commit Tyler Whiley swept around left end for the first score of the night. A two-point conversation off a botched snap made it 8-0. Whiley later showed off his receiving skills snagging an under thrown pass by junior quarterback Sean Paul Brophy near the Chaparral sideline, breaking two tackles and sprinting into the end zone.

The lone bright spot for Tolleson was 1,000-yard senior tailback Kenneth Steele who scored a touchdown in each of the first three quarters but the west Valley school was no match athletically for Chaparral who led by 43 points going to the fourth quarter before taking their foot off the gas and coasting to an easy win.

Chaparral (10-1) remained undefeated at home and will next face sixth-seeded Marcos de Niza.