Chandler’s Lions broke out a new look and new agression Thursday night against Casady.
The result was a rainy 41-6 district win over the Cyclones that sets up this week’s game with Lindsay for a potential home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Chandler quarterback Clayton Ritchie and guard Easton Evans were out after suffering injuries the week before against Anadarko, so coach Jack Gray moved senior Darius Wade to quarterback and shifted the offensive line, which triggered more changes.
Compounding the change was the Thursday night game, which eliminated a day of practice.
“It was a quick turn-around and the guys had to learn a lot of stuff and they did it well,” Gray said. “Giving them only two days to get a new quarterback going and moving some guys around, getting a new runing back in, putting some new plays in to fit what we’re got.
“Moving Darius to quarterback - he’s a running kind of guy but on a lot of stuff he still has the option to do some of the things Clayton did. He can do a lot things with his feet, so it changes our look back there.”
The changes worked. Even with a continual light rain that made ball security a challenge, the Lions controlled the game, moving the ball consistently and limiting what Casady was able to do.
Wade carried nine times for 100 yards and three scores and completed five of eight throws for 87 yards and another score.
Gray was also pleased with the aggressive nature of the Lions play,especially following the loss to Anadarko.
“The biggest thing this week was we had to come up with more energy,” he said. “Flying to the football and more selfawareness of winning every play.
“Every play is important. We have to win each play, be violent on each play and have some tenacity.
“That was what I was happiest about - we changed how we went about it and the personality we had on the field. We did a lot more attacking, and that was the emphasis this week.”
The Lions started the scoring when Wade ran three yards into the end zone with 7:51 left in the first period.
Four minues later, he connected with Josiah Tillis for a 30yard catch-and-run for a score.
Levi Becktol’s extra-point kicks made it 14-0, but the Cyclones cut that to 14-6 on a 39yard touchdown pass just before