#1 Basha Pulls Away to Defeat #2 Chandler on ESPN

The conclusion of week one saw the Basha Bears take down the Chandler Wolves 37-26 in a thrilling matchup on Saturday night.

While the reigning Open Division Champions defended their home turf and left with a win, Basha head coach Chris McDonald was proud of the way his team fought through the tough times.

“They battled through adversity; they got punched in the mouth,” McDonald said. “Then they punched back; that’s what they do.”

Chandler started with the ball and the Wolves made a statement on national television.

The entire first drive was as efficient as one could be.

After getting multiple first downs, the Wolves got in scoring position.

Striking first, 5-star Oregon quarterback commit Will Mencl slinged the ball out to 2028 running back David Douglas for a 6-yard score.

The Wolves got out to a hot start, but the Bears would follow suit.

Basha relied on a new weapon to get them down the field on their first drive.

3-star Princeton quarterback commit Jake Rogers launched a ball deep down the field to 2028 wide receiver Makai Nelson for a 47-yard gain.

It was Nelson's first-ever catch at the varsity level, and one that won’t be forgotten.

Nelson showed the entire country what type of ball player he is.

“It’s real life, nothing new,” Nelson said. “Y’all just now finally seeing it, this is what I have been doing.”

Two plays later, Rogers connected with 3-star Pitt wide receiver commit Jaden Baldwin on a swing route for a 4-yard touchdown.

At the end of the first 12 minutes, both teams were tied at six.

Beginning the second quarter, Basha got a takeaway.

2027 defensive back Geremiah Grimes snagged an interception and set the Bears' offense up in prime field position.

Taking full advantage of the field position, Rogers connected again with Nelson, this time for a 12-yard touchdown.

Chandler needed to gain some of that momentum back.

Halfway through the second quarter, Chandler rattled off one of the biggest plays of the game.

Mencl dumped a short pass off to Sacramento State wide receiver commit Maxwell Sprott.

Sprott used his elite speed to score a 42-yard touchdown.

Tied at 13, the game was a war of attrition between both sides.

On the last play of the first half, though, Basha stole all of the momentum heading into the locker room.

The Bears got the ball deep into Chandler territory and got aggressive.

In what was the last play of the half, Rogers lofted a Hail Mary-esque pass into the end zone, where Nelson caught it.

At first Nelson did not know it was a Hail Mary, and he just knew he had to put himself in position to make a play.

“I didn’t know it was a Hail Mary,” Nelson said. “I was like, let me go get in this end zone. Went in the end zone, saw the ball and executed.”

Basha led 20-13 after the first half.

In the third quarter, both defenses played exceptionally.

The first few minutes of the third quarter saw NAU linebacker commit Marc Duerson III force and recover his second fumble of the game.

Duerson III was one of the best players on the field Saturday night, and when his team needed a play, he stepped up.

Ultimately, though, Chandler would get the ball back and even be able to even the score again.

The Wolves got back down near the goal line after a methodical possession and with the help of Basha committing costly penalties.

Mencl fired in his third touchdown pass of the game to 2027 wide receiver Kaydon Gray for a 6-yard touchdown to tie the game.

Looking grim for the Bears in the third quarter, the defense would be the one to get the next points on the board.

The Bears forced their fourth turnover in the game.

For a third time in the game, Duerson III forced another fumble, which was recovered by 3-star Nevada defensive back commit Tre Kennard, who took it in for six.

Duerson III said he felt good about his performance and how the team has been waiting for this moment all year.

“I feel good about it,” Duerson III said. “We have been practicing all year for it.”

With only one quarter left to play, Basha led 27-20.

Even though they trailed, Chandler is a team that can never be counted out.

Not even a minute into the fourth quarter, the Wolves again closed the gap between them and Basha.

For the fourth and final time of the game, Mencl fired in a touchdown pass, and for the second time it was directed to Gray.

The PAT ended up being blocked by the Bears, though, and Chandler still trailed by one point.

Basha had to compile a few more drives if they wanted to close out the game.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, the Bears were able to add three more points as 3-star ASU kicker commit Mikey Barth drilled a 42-yard field goal.

With the game winding down to the final minutes, both sides of the ball for Basha pulled through to close it out.

On the defensive side, NAU defensive back commit Kyser Wilson snagged an interception to give the Bears defense their fifth takeaway of the night.

The offense put the final dagger in the contest after the turnover.

From 10 yards out, 3-star Texas running back commit Noah Roberts scampered his way in for a touchdown to put the game out of reach.

The instant classic was over, and Basha left with their first win of the season.

Defending their throne began Saturday night, and it continues for the next 14 weeks.

As any team knows, the season doesn’t get easier, but for Basha, they have what it takes to go back-to-back.

“We got to learn from this win,” McDonald said. “It’s not going to get any easier.”

Next up: 1-0 Basha travels out of state to take on 1-1 Orange Lutheran (CA). 0-1 Chandler also travels out of state when they take on 0-1 Cathedral Catholic (CA).