The Lions (1-3, 0-1) closed out non-district play with a win against Mount St. Mary before returning home for the first district game of the season against Jones (3-1, 0-1).
After being shut out by the Longhorns last season, the Lions battled throughout last Friday’s game in a 42-29 loss.
Chandler struck first after sophomore quarterback Kaden Jones connected with junior Darian Mahan for a 34-yard touchdown catch to give the Lions an early 7-0 lead. However, the Longhorns would go on a 21-0 run throughout their next three offensive possessions.
All three Longhorn scores would come on the ground with junior Tye Tucker scoring on a 65-yard run, junior Elijah Reed scoring on a 30-yard run, and junior Korbin Cox capping off a drive with a two-yard score.
Chandler would break the scoreless streak with under a minute remaining in the first half after junior Spencer Clagg scored on a 2-yard run. Chandler freshman Casmen Hill scored on a two-point run to bring the Lion’s deficit to 6, down 21-15 at halftime.
After the Longhorns scored on the opening drive of the second half, the Lions would again bring the deficit to six after a 15-yard run by senior Caedon Parris to bring the score to 28-22. Jones would go on another run, this time a 14-0 run to lead by three possessions, 42-22. The final score of the game would come from Parris, who connected with quarterback Jones for a 13-yard touchdown.
Jones finished with a season-high 227 yards and two scores against Jones.For the second-straight game, Hill led the Lion’s rushing attack with 140 yards at 3.9 yards per carry.
The young freshman has combined for more than 300 yards the past two games for Chandler.
Leading the Lion’s receiving core were the Mahan brothers as senior Dylan Mahan recorded six receptions for 93 yards and junior Darian Mahan finished with four receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Chandler’s defensive struggles came against the Longhorns passing attack as Jones sophomore quarterback Carson May completed 25 of his 33 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns.
All three of May’s touchdown passes were caught by junior Elijah Reed, who finished with eight catches for 148 yards and three scores. Every time the duo connected, it seemed to be a big play as Reed finished at 18.5 yards per reception.
Chandler completed four more first downs than Jones and doubled the Longhorns possession time but couldn’t finish enough drives to stay with the Longhorns.
Defensively, Chandler sophomore Kyle Snodgrass led the team with 10 tackles and recorded one sack followed by senior Taylor Clagg, who finished with nine tackles. Junior Spencer Clagg finished with six tackles, a sack and a forced fumble against Jones.
Heading into next week’s district game, the Lions are scoring 22.5 points per game while giving up 22.5 points per game as well.
Next up, Chandler stays home to face Kellyville on Friday at 7 p.m.
The Lions lost to Kellyville last season 35-12. The Ponies (0-4, 0-1) are coming off a 68-26 loss at Meeker and are still looking for their first win on the season.