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HAIL TO AYCOCK, THE CHIEFS

Chamberlain QB leads a strong ground game as the Chiefs clinch the district crown.
 
Published Oct. 25, 2008

Missing a fleet element in its triple-option attack Friday night, Chamberlain was forced to whittle its offensive script for its most crucial regular-season game of the year.

"We just said, 'No. 7, fake to somebody and run with it,' " coach Billy Turner said. "And he did."

And so reads the newest district championship playbook.

Proving it's better than most area teams with one option tied behind its back, Chamberlain (8-0, 2-0) got 263 total yards from quarterback Dontae Aycock - the aforementioned No. 7 - and a 150-yard breakout game from tailback Lamond Scott in a 35-21 victory at Alonso.

The Chiefs' win, coupled with Sickles' double-overtime triumph at King, gives Chamberlain the Class 5A, District 6 crown.

"It feels good," senior defensive tackle Dontavious Pyron said. "It means we're ready for Plant (next week), ready for King and ready for the playoffs."

Pyron was part of a stifling Chiefs defensive effort that went for confusing even as its offense went for simplistic. Picked apart by Alonso junior C.J. Bennett in the first half, Chamberlain adjusted effectively to break open a game tied at 14-all at halftime.

Bennett (19-for-35, 213 yards, one TD) tossed three interceptions, equaling his season total entering the contest. One of those picks - on a swing pass - was caught in stride by James Wilder Jr. and returned for a 60-yard touchdown in the first half.

Bennett had 126 passing yards at intermission, but was intercepted on his first second-half attempt by Rico Valdez and was 3-for-10 for 20 yards in the half until directing a 60-yard scoring drive on the Ravens' (6-2, 1-1) next-to-last possession of the game.

"We started mixing our coverages a little bit in the second half," Turner said. "In the first half we played a lot of man. He could see it and you can't get to him. In the second half I think it was a little harder for them to tell what we were doing, so it caused a little confusion."

Aycock and Scott handled the rest. Aycock, 5-for-13 with one interception in the first half, threw three times after halftime as the Chiefs went to a punishing ball-control scheme. He scored on a 49-yard keeper with 9:28 to play in the third to give Chamberlain a 21-14 lead.

He tossed a pick on his next possession when FSU commitment Demonte McAllister nailed his throwing arm just as he released it, but watched his defense force a four and out. That set up a 60-yard Chiefs scoring drive capped by Aycock's 20-yard touchdown run. Aycock's final rushing numbers: 20 carries, 167 yards, four TDs.

"He's awesome," Turner said.