Caleb Gottry attends Chandler Preparatory Academy and is a member of the AIA’s Student SID program.

A quarterback, a free safety, a running back, a middle linebacker, a guard, and a defensive tackle: these titles can be associated with the seniors on the Titan football team, but they cannot solely represent them. This year, the Chandler Prep Titans will graduate six seniors from the team. These six men are multifaceted on the field and are leaders among the players. All of them have been on the team for several years, starting under Coach Goodman and now under Coach Brittain, and they will be missed after the season ends. Senior Sam Martin, the youngest of four brothers from a primarily-homeschooling but proud Titan family, comments that “the number of memories I possess face the possibility of lasting over 25 minutes if I told them all….” The Titans celebrated their seniors after the home game against the Heritage Academy Laveen Heroes on October 22nd. Read aloud were their responses to four questions about past memories and influences as well as words of wisdom for the team and future plans after graduation. The following are some of the responses that stood out. Titan Up.

Question: What are some of your favorite memories or moments from playing Chandler Prep football?

Reese Vilaboy (QB): My favorite memories come from two games. The first one was the Globe game my sophomore year when we lost our starting quarterback and our coach for the whole week of practice. I had to start at quarterback as a sophomore. Coach Goodman came at the last second and we ended up winning the game by one touchdown throw to Daniel and then a fumble recovery. The second game was the homecoming game last year against Tonopah when we won by one point and it felt like the whole school was with us.

                       Reese Vilaboy looks to his receivers (Izzie Krob/AZPreps365).

 

Juan Pietri (T): My favorite memory was our first game of this year versus Glendale Prep. Though it should not have been that close, getting our first win of the season in the last few seconds of the game was awesome. And you can’t forget bus rides home after wins.

                       Juan Pietri jumps to deflect the pass (Izzie Krob/AZPreps365).

 

Question: Who were some of your biggest influences at Chandler Prep as a football player and scholar athlete?

Aiden Daly (RB, OLB): My biggest influences during my time as a Chandler Prep football player were all of my coaches who spent so much time making me a better player, particularly Coach Goodman, who taught me what it means to be a football player and young man. I’d also like to thank my parents for supporting me throughout my journey in high school.

                  Aiden Daly carries the ball for the Titans (Izzie Krob/AZPreps365).

 

Daniel Peake (DT, G): First, I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity to play the game I love. Secondly, I want to thank my family for always supporting me on and off the field. Then thirdly, I want to thank my brothers on the team who always push me to get better.

          Daniel Peake faces off against the opposing D-line (Izzie Krob/AZPreps365).

 

Question: What advice do you leave with next year’s returning players?

Raymond Wong (WR, FS): My advice to the returning players is to never give up and be confident when you are on the field, as well as cherish the moment you have playing this sport.

                Raymond Wong sets up to hold for the kick (Izzie Krob/AZPreps365).

 

Sam Martin (RB, MLB): At this stage of life, your age should not determine your mindset or your maturity. Your personal motivations mold you into the person you resemble now. Take your time think a lot and think of everything you have, reevaluate your motivations in life, think twice about going with the status quo, constantly question what you think, and continue to ask questions of the world around you. If you hold a goal in your mind, every action you take from here on out should be to obtain that goal.

                            Sam Martin goes in for the sack (Izzie Krob/AZPreps365).

 

Question: What are your plans for next year – post CPA?

RV: I plan to go into engineering at ASU.

JP: My plans after CPA are to go to college and study engineering.

AD: My plan after CPA is to study engineering at ASU.

DP: I plan to go to ASU to study business in hopes of running my own business like my parents have done.

RW: My plans for after Chandler Prep are playing college football, as well as becoming a computer programmer.

SM: Once I graduate from high school, I will have obtained my associates in Computer Systems Engineering. At ASU, I plan on receiving my master’s in a few years, while I chase after another degree, which I have not decided on yet.