2021 Team Preview: Chaparral Firebirds

<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Overview</strong></span> Chaparral was one of the most intriguing teams to follow throughout the 2020 season. It started out rough for them with a handful of COVID cancellations, shortening their regular season down to just 5 games. Their playoff hopes were in jeopardy and it seemed like they were the most slept on team in the state throughout the 2020 regular season, and they proved to everyone why you shouldn’t sleep on Chap and count them out. They finished the regular season 3-2 and were able to clinch the #7 seed in the 6A playoffs, where they would stay hot and beat Queen Creek (26-8), O’Connor (31-14), and then beat Highland in the championship 24-14. As they secured the 6A state title, they finished 2020 with an overall record of 6-2, with their two losses coming against Liberty and Centennial, both of which were contenders in the open division playoffs. Everyone seemed to rave about Chaparral’s explosive offense in 2020. However, after the 42-28 loss against Centennial, Chap’s defense stepped up and played lights out the next 4 straight to make that championship run. Chaparral has always been known as a highly talented program that draws strong college interest, and that doesn’t seem to be changing in 2021. Chap will lose a handful of key players to graduation, but will retain some of the best players in the state as they project to be a 6A powerhouse in 2021. The 6A title sits at Chaparral from 2020, but this year, Chaparral will look to make it into the open division playoffs and contend with the best of the best. <hr /> <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Key Players</strong></span> [player_tooltip player_id="42782" first="Anthony" last="Lucas"],<em> DL, 2022</em> Lucas is the #1 prospect in Arizona and a special type of talent, as he holds around 25 offers. He sizes up with a tremendous frame at 6’5" 290lbs and is a freak athlete. Lucas is strong and quick at the POA with an excellent football IQ. He holds excellent position versatility at the high school level and is a threat anywhere he lines up, both sides of the ball. He checks all the boxes as a multi-year starter at a P5 program, and should be the most followed prospect in Arizona here in 2021.<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-74349" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/IMG_4963-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="42815" first="Brayten" last="Silbor"], <em>QB, 2022</em> Silbor caught my eye last season and proved that he is one of the best QB’s in the state. The New Mexico commit is an absolute gunslinger and can sit back and dice up a defense. He stands tall in the pocket and delivers with a smooth an quick release, and has shown the ability to hit throws from all depths and use velocity or touch when needed. Expect a breakout 2021 season from Silbor. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="161990" first="Jamarei" last="Ashby-Phan"], <em>RB, 2022</em> Ashby-Phan should have a bigger role in 2021 and expect his production to take a major leap from his junior to senior season. He was utilized both on the ground and through the air last year as he ran for 134 yards and a TD on 31 carries, and racked up 108 yards receiving on 16 receptions. He flashes good twitch with solid short area quickness, and should be a sleeper to watch in 2021. &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_74533" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-74533 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/IMG_4967-rotated-300x197.jpg" alt="2022 DB Davondre Bucannon" width="300" height="197" /> <em>2022 DB Davondre Bucannon</em>[/caption] <strong>Davondre Bucannon</strong>, <em>DB, 2022</em> Bucannon sizes up with a lean frame at 6’2" 180lbs with room to add weight. He’s made strong leaps this offseason, which has also landed him offers from Idaho and Northern Arizona. He played CB last season and did an excellent job with route and play rec. He stays on the hips of receivers and flashes solid hand placement to force PBU’s. He did a great job shedding blocks and blowing up WR screens at the LOS as well. Bucannon could be another sneaky player to bust loose for Chap in 2021. &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Other notable names:</strong></em></span> [player_tooltip player_id="42848" first="Jacob" last="Franze"], <em>DB, 2022</em> [player_tooltip player_id="42849" first="Lukas" last="Garvey"], <em>TE, 2022</em> [player_tooltip player_id="100712" first="CJ" last="Eastwood"], <em>LB, 2022</em> [player_tooltip player_id="42913" first="Gavin" last="Geweniger"], <em>DL, 2023</em> &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Key Departures</strong></span> [player_tooltip player_id="42613" first="Maxwell" last="Minor"], <em>WR (Augustana)</em> [caption id="attachment_74350" align="alignright" width="318"]<img class="wp-image-74350" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/IMG_4973-rotated-300x197.jpg" alt="2021 WR Max Minor" width="318" height="209" /> <em>2021 WR Max Minor</em>[/caption] *47 rec. for 866 yards and 9 TD’s [player_tooltip player_id="42645" first="Mason" last="Osborn"], <em>OL (Northern State)</em> <strong>TJ Ritter</strong>, <em>OL (Maricopa Mustangs JUCO)</em> [player_tooltip player_id="42625" first="Jared" last="Williams"],<em> RB (Minot State)</em> *119 carries for 732 yards and 13 TD’s [player_tooltip player_id="42715" first="Capri" last="Hamilton"], <em>WR</em> <em>47 rec. for 438 yards and 4 TD’s</em> <hr /> <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>2021 Schedule</strong></span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">*6A Desert Valley Region Game</span> 9/3- @ Queen Creek<img class="alignright wp-image-74534" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/IMG_4986-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="490" height="367" /> 9/10- @ Desert Mountain 9/17- @ Higley 9/24- Saguaro 10/1- O’Connor 10/8- Hamilton 10/15- *@ Brophy 10/22- *Liberty 11/5- *Centennial 11/12- *@ Pinnacle