Chandler Hamilton scored virtually every way possible during Friday’s Class 5A-I playoff opener. But mostly the host Huskies just scored — a lot — in beating Phoenix North Canyon, 49-0.
The second-seeded Huskies (10-1) put the game well out of reach by scoring 21 points in the first five minutes of the second half. The outburst just added to the hosts’ 28-0 halftime lead.
“It’s nice to get the first one out of the way,” Hamilton coach Steve Belles said. “The defense got the shutout, which is always a good thing.”
The Huskies will host Fiesta Region rival Chandler next week in a quarterfinal matchup.
Hamilton’s defense allowed less than 100 yards for the game and the 15th-seeded Rattlers (8-3) never moved the ball farther than the Huskies’ 49-yard line.
Quarterback Zakary Hambsch paced Hamilton’s balanced offensive attack with 185 yards passing and two touchdowns. He also added 31 yards rushing and a score.
Hamilton finished with 195 yards passing and 190 on the ground. Andrew Terrell caught both scoring passes, including a 48-yarder that started the scoring.
The Huskies made sure the Rattlers had no chance at a second-half comeback.
Ryan Milus returned the second-half kickoff 71 yards for a score. After a North Canyon fumble, Hambsch hit Terrell for a 14-yard scoring pass and a 42-0 lead.
On the Rattlers’ ensuing possession, Justin Rosales returned an interception 16 yards for a score and Hamilton led 49-0 with 7:15 remaining in the first half.
Hamilton scored on three consecutive possessions of the first half as Hambsch scored on a 1-yard run and Dante Alexander ran 40 yards for a score.
