The dynamic first during spring ball and then around passing league has been different if you have been around the Chandler Wolves football team. There is a lot of talent and a lot of returning players as been the case the last several years but this time, they are finally the defending state champions.
It was an unforgettable season around the Chandler football team and community doing something they had never done at the highest level of play in Arizona but that does not mean they are closing up shop. The Wolves do not intend to be one-hit wonders. They have their sights set on another state championship and behind leadership of a great senior class led by running back and defensive back Chase Lucas, there is no shortage of motivation in 2015.
“That’s been a huge focus,” Lucas told Sports360AZ. “Going for a second ring, that’s been a dream of ours. We accomplished the first one and all we have is one more year. But another thing we are looking forward to is the Bishop Gorman game so we can show everyone nationally how good we are and what a great team we can be.”
For Lucas, his presence has been felt on the varsity team at Chandler since he was a sophomore where he had a breakout season. He us used to playing a big impact but was always one of the younger guys on the team. This year will be a little different for Lucas as he becomes the one his teammates look up to.
“It’s very different,” explained Lucas. “I’ve got a bunch of younger kids that I am trying to hand the baton to after this year. I feel as if I am more of a leader now. When I was a youngin, I was just playing around and messing with the old seniors and stuff like that but they taught me well and I appreciate what they did for me so I’ve got to do the same for the young kids coming up.”
The recruitment for Lucas, who is coming off of a junior season where he had just under 1,600 all-purpose yards and 16 total touchdowns, has not slowed in the slightest this offseason as he now holds 15 offers and according to Jason Jewell of Scout.com, Arizona State, UCLA and USC stand out as early favorites.
“It’s exciting,” Lucas stated. “Just being a part of this family for four years and to know that I have a lot of offers and I could pick whatever college I want, that’s just a blessing.”
“I just want to take my recruitment slow,” he added. “I am excited about all of my offers, I just want to go take my officials and stuff like that and I get to play in the Army All-American game so hopefully if I haven’t made my decision by then, I’ll make it on national television.”
The Bishop Gorman game Lucas mentioned will be the second of the 2015 season for the Chandler which will be played on August 29th and will be televised on ESPN U. Their opener will be a road game at Pinnacle a week earlier on the 20th.
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Jared Cohen
A born and bred Arizonan, Jared has had great passion for the hometown teams all his life. He now channel's that passion into covering the pro, college and high school teams around the state as a Multimedia Reporter for Sports360AZ.