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Last season Chaparral High shocked the city with a playoff upset over the heavily favored Faith Lutheran Crusaders.
Friday night the Cowboys were back at it, knocking off the top-seeded Virgin Valley Bulldogs 34-16.
“We focused our minds on pushing the extra mile,” said coach Paul Nihipali. “Jacob Ford did a great job running the ball and (Santiago Vialpando) did a great job running the offense.”
The teams traded leads throughout the first half, and Virgin Valley led 16-7 after a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown by Cesar Zarate.
Ford punched in a 2-yard score to close the gap, and TyRay Collins took a 51-yard run to the house to put Chaparral up for good.
Ford carried the ball 25 times for 95 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Cowboys.
Vialpando completed 18-of-22 passes for 208 yards and a score, and found six different receivers.
“We designed that just to take off a little pressure on (Devin) Gaddy and Kentrell (Petite),” Nihipali said. “We have a lot more skill players on this team.”
With the win, the Cowboys avenged their 13-7 loss to Virgin Valley on Oct. 14 and advanced to the state semifinals for the second straight season.
Chaparral will travel north to play undefeated Spring Creek (10-0) at 1 p.m. next Saturday.
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