Beyond the Gridiron: Basha football faces tough opponent Centennial in Open semifinals
High school football can be a series of highs and lows. The Friday night lights, teams' electric energy and unpredictability can captivate a crowd. One play could change the outcome of a game.
This high school football season, The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com will follow Chandler Basha's football team in the third edition of a documentary series called "Beyond the Gridiron: Basha." Previously, this series has tagged along with South Mountain and Tolleson.
The Bears won the state Open Championship in 2022, the highest-tiered title in Arizona high school football. Can they do it again? Follow along with our series.
'You gotta believe': The Basha Bears enter the Open Division semifinals set to face their toughest opponent yet, Centennial High School.
'An uphill climb': With two key players and a coach suspended, Basha takes on American Leadership Academy Queen Creek in the first round of the Open Division playoffs. Will the suspensions cloud the Bears' chances?
'Brick by brick': The end of the regular season is approaching rapidly for Basha's football team. Before they find out who they will meet in the first round of the playoffs, the Bears must face Casteel and Perry, with the latter proving to be a big challenge.
'We own the city of Chandler': Basha's varsity football team has three freshmen putting in work and stepping up to the challenge. The Bears face a rematch against neighboring rival Chandler, who they beat in the 2022 Open Division semifinal on their way to the state title, and it's a nail-biter.
'First, you gotta win': Basha gets ready to face powerhouse Brophy Prep and rival Hamilton as they enter conference play, vying for one of the eight Open Division playoff spots. "Wrecking ball" defensive lineman Jordan Howard makes his way back from an injury.
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'Fire in the belly': Basha's football team faces two games against storied programs Mountain View and Sandra Day O'Connor as team chemistry continues to click. And the Bears' dual-threat quarterback Demond Williams Jr. uses his faith as a source of strength on the field.
'We produce stars': College football recruiters head to Basha to check out the skilled prospects the team has, and players are hoping for offers as the recruiting landscape evolves. Oh, and there's the game against rival Highland, a championship rematch against Saguaro and the homecoming dance, too.
'New kids on the block': Player injuries are causing the reigning Open Division state champion Basha Bears to rebuild their team for the 2023 season. The first step in the rebuilding process? Team bonding.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Basha High School football: Beyond the Gridiron documentary series
