Rob Schumacher/ The Arizona Republic

Chaparral's Kam Kranz #21 runs past Sunnyside's Zack Samorano #34 in the first half of 4A semi-final action at Phoenix College.

Season-Ender Still Hurts - 4A semifinal loss stings Chaparral

Richard Obert
Scottsdale Republic
Dec. 4, 2003 12:00 AM

NORTHEAST VALLEY - Chaparral football coach Ron Estabrook called last week's 16-7 Class 4A state semifinal loss to Tucson Sunnyside "the worst feeling I've ever had."

"I don't mind getting physically beat up by a team that's better than you," he said. "To get physically beat up by a team we should have beaten, but we didn't play well enough . . . "

Quarterback Darren Mougey probably had the worst game of his career. The offensive linemen came off the field with a look of confusion, Estabrook said.

"They couldn't figure it out," Estabrook said. "They (Blue Devils) were quick."

Estabrook said his top tackler, Dustin Kleven, was sick with the flu. Many of his starters were out sick during practice last week.

But he gives the Blue Devils credit for handing the previously unchallenged Firebirds their only loss:

"Sunnyside smacked the will out of us."

Gilbert coach Jesse Parker said Sunnyside had "no business beating Chaparral," but credit goes to the coaches and players.

"I admire those guys," Parker said. "It's the poor little kids beating the rich kids. There's something American about it."