Scottsdale Chaparral Firebirds Head Football Coach Charlie Ragle Believes in Luck.

On Saturday, December 6th 2008 on Frank Kush Field in Sun Devils Stadium he will find out if the hard work and preparation he and his team and staff have done will be the opportunity needed to prove his luck.

In an ALL-Scottsdale State Championship the Chaparral Firebirds, his team, will face the 2 time 4A-1 State Champs the Saguaro Sabercats with a 3:07 PM kickoff.

Who knew when the season began that to be the best team in the state you had to first be the best team in the city of Scottsdale. This is a City Championship, a 4A-1 Desert Sky Region Championship and the State Championship all in one game.

One other thing. The Firebirds are 13-1 and the Sabercats 14-0. The only loss for CHS was to the Cats. I think it would be fitting if all three trophies where on hand for this game and the winner takes all.

The real rivalry between these two schools is even tougher in the stands. Expect parents and and fans to be making some serious noise in a game that will be a final send off to the Firebirds as they will move up to 5A in 2009. To many fans this game is life and death, in a completely rational way. Hey it's football, things appear in different shades in this sport.

On Friday, December 5th I was able to interview Coach Ragle on my Amazing Performances "High School Heroes" segment on KXXT 1010 AM radio. It was a remarkable show in which listeners found out a lot about the football team and the great people at Chaparral High School.

From the administration to the booster club we heard how a community supports it's young people and why those young people return the favor on and off the field. 

People like Spencer Stone a QB that was an outsider when he arrived a few years ago. Then he earned his spot on the field and in the record books with over 4,700 yards passing. A new school record by a young man that has become a leader to his team mates.

Or Craig Roh with his 4.3 GPA, a perfectionist on and off the field. A member of FCA and now the defensive end is Player of the Year and on Thursday coach Ragle found out Craig won the Curly Culp Award for the state's best defensive lineman of the year. Next stop for Mr. Roh is Michigan football.

Then there is Derrick Nsubuga a hard working offensive lineman that transferred in without accolades. He leaves with a college football career ahead of him and with an SAT of 1800.

Don't forget about Dwayne Garrett a junior whom coach believes will be best running back in the state in 2009. He had just over 1,900 yards in 2008, only 1,900 because coach held him out or took him out early more than a few times. A great kid, great athlete, teachers love him, he Lights a room up they say.

Or Taylor Lewan a transfer that came in with zero offers and is now a big offensive tackle that leaves with over 25 scholarship offers from the most well know football colleges in America.

Yes, coach Charlie Ragle belivies in Luck. He, his players and his amazing coaching staff all work hard to be lucky. In Arizona, football is a game played by boys and men with big dreams an big hearts. If you love football and have a passion for the game, then you will agree after meeting this coach and his team and their school, that football is spelled FIREBIRDS.