The Mid Remembers: Chris Handy, Arcadia

Chris Handy (Photo from Facebook page "Remembering Chris Handy")

(This story was posted on the old Mid Valley News website; September 28, 2001. With Chris Handy’s recent passing we thought it would be nice to take a look back at a terrific football player. Our prayers and thoughts go out to his family and those who love him.)

Knights Grounded By Apaches, 28-16

By Tim Peterson

(Arcadia)- It seemed that the Arcadia Apaches offense consisted of three plays Friday night at Salter Field in a 28-16 win over Arroyo- Chris Handy runs left, and Chris Handy runs right, and Chris Handy runs up the middle.

When it was all over, Handy had accumulated 282 yards on the ground on 30 carries.

Arroyo looked to draw first blood on the game’s opening series, but Luis Soto’s 32-yard field goal attempt was short and the Apaches took over on their own 20.

Arcadia Head Coach Jon Dimalante said “Heeerre’s Handy!” and the Chris Handy show began. He went for gains of seven, five, 20, and four-yards. He then took a handoff from Brian Ziska, broke two tackles, cut to the outside and left the Knight defense in his wake with a 44-yard score. Jay Salter’s extra point put the Apaches up 7-0.

Arroyo broke through in the second quarter on a 23-yard field goal by Soto to cut the lead to 7-3 with 8:47 remaining.

On their next possession the Knights committed a huge turnover. Quarterback Joe Gonzalez pitched a ball that found an Arcadia defender instead of a Knight running back. Hansen Shieh fell on the loose football and the Apaches were in business at the Arroyo 14.

After a two-yard loss, Ziska hit Brian Coker for (a) 16-yard touchdown and a 14-3 lead.

Martin Mares got the Knights close on Arroyo’s ensuing position. He took a pitch from Gonzalez on a reverse and danced down the sidelines for (a) 71-yard touchdown to make it 14-10 with 2:30 left in the half.

The Apaches had one more strike in them before the break. Ziska capped a 12-play 75-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Salter and a 21-10 halftime advantage.

In the third quarter interceptions by Shieh and Brian Golper thwarted Knight opportunities and in the fourth got another big break.

At the Arroyo 25, Ziska threw a ball that looked like an Arroyo interception. The ball bounced off an Arroyo defender and into the waiting arms of Arcadia receiver Michael Flath for a gift from above.

The early Christmas present gave the Apaches a 28-10 bulge. With only 10:01 left in the game, another holiday came to mind as the Knights were more done than a Thanksgiving Day turkey.

Gonzalez scored from eight-yards out with just over six minutes left to account for the final score.

“We only have one week left (before league) to wrap it up,” said D.J. MacKinnon about his offense. “These are tough teams and we can’t afford to make mistakes.”

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