Hamilton seniors want a state football championship before they leave

Chandler Hamilton's seniors are carrying a chip on their shoulders this summer. They have something to prove on the football field.

"This year we're going to be a lot more aggressive than we were last year, because we're hungry," said receiver-turned-cornerback Kyeler Burke, who has packed on about 15 pounds of muscle since last season and is now 6-foot-1, 190 pounds. "We're 0 for 2. Our class hasn't won a state championship. And we don't want to walk out of Hamilton in the (Steve) Belles era not to have a state championship."

Burke had an interception in a three-touchdowns victory over Scottsdale Chaparral on Friday afternoon in the final of the 17-team Nike Toro 7-on-7 tournament at Scottsdale Sports Complex.

Burke, a varsity starter since his sophomore season, is doing all he can to get that ring.

The last two years, Hamilton reached the Division I final, only to lose to Phoenix Mountain Pointe in 2013 and to Chandler in 2014.

It began Friday with a 28-20 win over Chandler in the first big 7-on-7 passing tournament of the summer. Chandler was without rising senior wide receiver N'Keal Harry during the long day that included four pool games for each team, before the start of elimination play.

Hamilton went 8-0, showing that it once again will have a talented senior quarterback at the wheel. Travis Lockhart, 6-1, 175 pounds, showed off a strong, accurate arm all day. He has plenty of talented targets, including Kaleb Pitts, Ian Anderson and Chance Brewington.

Both Burke and Avery Barnes had interceptions in the final against Chaparral, which went 7-1 and came out of pool play as the No. 1 seed.

"It's passing league and we want to keep it in perspective," Belles said. "We want to win it like anybody else. Our kids came in with a little bit of a chip on their shoulders and they got after it. I'm proud of our guys."

Belles said the seniors are very motivated.

"These guys have one goal and that is to win the state championship," Belles said.

Upset special

The biggest upset of the day came in the quarterfinals when Division IV Phoenix Northwest Christian pulled out a 23-21 victory over defending Division I champion Chandler.

"I was ready to go to lunch," Northwest Christian coach Dave Inness said, before his team made some big defensive plays down the stretch.

Northwest Christian lost two games in pool play but advanced to the semifinals, before losing to Chaparral.

"We're a young team," said quarterback Drew Inness, Dave's son. "Our first two games were rough. But our first two rounds in the playoffs we did really good. Against Chandler, we were down and we came back and we made some big stops."

Surprising surge

Chaparral might surprise some people in Division I next season if Friday was an indicator. Quarterback Grayson Barry, a junior lefty, showed accuracy and touch on his passes. Senior tight end Christian Skeptaris looked good, catching passes in traffic.

Skeptaris looks like he could be a major college player. He has good size at about 6-4, 220 pounds and good footwork and hands. He is a very aggressive player who makes difficult catches.

Strong safety Kurt Shughart also made big plays on both sides of the ball for Chaparral, breaking up passes and catching passes, showing off improved speed.

Junior wide receiver Gianni Tomasi, who had 45 catches for 709 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, still is trying to get acclimated to football after coming off an excellent baseball season, playing outfield for the Firebirds.

Crushing it

Phoenix Pinnacle, which made it to the quarterfinals, went mostly with junior Noah Witsoe at quarterback. He looked accurate, finding junior receiver Nick Spohn quite a bit. Spohn looks like he could be a big-play threat next season.

Senior linebacker Dru Dixon, 6-2, 230, looked like a beast, making big plays on defense much of the day.

Mountain man

Goodyear Desert Edge could be the No.1 team in Division III next season with athleticism and size. Running back/linebacker Roshaun Johnson, who is 6 feet, 225 pounds, said he has heard from Arizona, Arizona State and Michigan State.

"We're working hard in the weight room, off the field, on the field," Johnson said. "Our grades last semester were great, like a 3.0 average. We're working hard in the classroom. This year we're looking faster and stronger than last year."