QB - Jonathan Chandler

[CattouseFan]

Evaluation: Chandler may be one of the top "sleeper" QB's in this class and is expected to have a big senior year. Only appeared in 3 games as a junior as a result of a broken collarbone, but throughout his high school career, he was able to ward off competition from fellow prospect QB Steven Ensminger. In fact Chandler won the starting job once again heading into the 2005 campaign and Ensminger ended up transferring to West Monroe in Louisiana. While Chandler is not the pure polished passer that Ensminger is, he certainly gets the edge in overall athleticism and running ability. Is a very productive and efficient passer. Is an excellent athlete with elite speed for the QB position. Is a threat to run at all times and excels in the shotgun option run game. Has a quick set, terrific pocket presence and avoids a lot of pressure with his feet. He throws well on the run and is mechanically sound in terms of squaring his shoulders. His accuracy is outstanding. He shows very good touch and timing. Shows the consistent ability to lead his receivers in stride, as well as to drop the ball in between the linebackers and secondary. He reads the field well, is intelligent and does a great job with his progression reads. Protects the football and manages the offense well. Although his release is a bit unorthodox, it is quick and he can really unleash the ball when he has to. Has more than adequate arm strength and can make the necessary college throws. At times, he will force some throws into coverage and his receivers have made spectacular plays to come down with the ball. Possesses ideal intangibles - high character, hard working, proven winner, intelligent and excellent leadership skills.


He is the number #26 QB in the country as listed by ESPN

[CattouseFan]

Opelika, Ala. quarterback Jonathan Chandler grew up in the state of Alabama, but unlike most kids did not grow up a fan of the Tide or Tigers. Recently his childhood favorite offered him a scholarship and he accepted on the spot.


Rivals.com

Chandler is Troy's first commitment for the class of 2006
"I have always been a big Troy fan," Chandler said. "Growing up we always went to the games down there on Saturday's so I'm real familiar with the school, the coaches and the program and everything."

Chandler only played in the first three games of the season, as he missed most of the year with a broken collar bone.

"I had another offer from Jacksonville State and Clemson was recruiting me pretty hard for a while," Chandler said. "Southern Miss and some others were showing interest too. Even if some other offers came in I would stick with Troy, that's where I have wanted to go all along."

Chandler attended camps at Troy, Clemson and Alabama over the summer.

"Troy offered me as a quarterback and they told me that I was the guy that they really wanted," Chandler said. "They said that I would be the only one that they would offer if I committed. It was just a good fit."

He was recruited by Fleetwoodhttp://vmedia.rivals.com/IMAGES/PROSPECT/PHOTO/JONATHANCHANDLER20011.JPG

[faithintsu]

Sounds like a great pickup!!

[formerlytsufan]

Opelika, Ala. quarterback Jonathan Chandler grew up in the state of Alabama, but unlike most kids did not grow up a fan of the Tide or Tigers. Recently his childhood favorite offered him a scholarship and he accepted on the spot.


Rivals.com

Chandler is Troy's first commitment for the class of 2006
"I have always been a big Troy fan," Chandler said. "Growing up we always went to the games down there on Saturday's so I'm real familiar with the school, the coaches and the program and everything."

Chandler only played in the first three games of the season, as he missed most of the year with a broken collar bone.

"I had another offer from Jacksonville State and Clemson was recruiting me pretty hard for a while," Chandler said. "Southern Miss and some others were showing interest too. Even if some other offers came in I would stick with Troy, that's where I have wanted to go all along."

Chandler attended camps at Troy, Clemson and Alabama over the summer.

"Troy offered me as a quarterback and they told me that I was the guy that they really wanted," Chandler said. "They said that I would be the only one that they would offer if I committed. It was just a good fit."

He was recruited by Fleetwoodhttp://vmedia.rivals.com/IMAGES/PROSPECT/PHOTO/JONATHANCHANDLER20011.JPG

It is nice to see that kids are picking us over the bigger schools. There will come a day that Troy will no longer be competing with the other mid majors over who gets the bigger schools' leftovers.

[Swordsman]

and what a great day that will be

[ksdtrojan]

OHS' Chandler sidelined with ankle injury

Staff Report / Opelika-Auburn News
October 9, 2005

ADVERTISEMENT

Opelika received a bit of good news late Friday when X-rays determined starting quarterback Jonathan Chandler suffered a high ankle sprain and not a fracture as feared.
Chandler, a Troy University committment, went down late in the first quarter of the Bulldogs’ 14-7 victory over Central Friday night in Phenix City.
On an option play to his right, Chandler was hit by a host of Central defenders and went down awkwardly.
The senior remained down, clutching his left leg and motioning to the Opelika sideline for assistance.
He remained out for the remainder of the game while backup Michael Motley helped lead the Bulldogs’ offense.
“Right now it’s just a day-to-day thing,” Opelika coach Spence McCracken said. “We’re going to rehab him twice a day and see how things go.”
The Bulldogs have a crucial Class 6A-Region 3 matchup with Enterprise Friday that could determine the region title.

[Trojan2003]

I know it's old news, but since he's almost a Trojan:

montgomeryadvertiser.com
Oct.15,2005

Chandler leads Opelika in clinching region title


OPELIKA -- Jonathan Chandler was 8-of-12 passing for 113 yards and a touchdown as the Opelika Bulldogs clinched the Class 6A, Region 3 and beat Enterprise 24-14.

Chandler threw a 35-yard TD pass to Marc Fulton to give Opelika (8-0, 6-0 region) a 17-0 second-quarter lead.

Zack Clayton's 2-yard touchdown run and Kent Hagan's 37-yard field goal put the Bulldogs ahead.

Chandler had a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that made it 24-7.

Robert Brooks was 11-of-29 passing for 158 yards and a touchdown for Enterprise (6-2, 4-1).

Opelika hosts Auburn next week, while Enterprise travels to Smiths Station.
Auburn 24,
Smiths Station 0

[Trojan2003]

Montgomery Advertiser

Opelika wins defensive struggle against Murphy

Staff report

OPELIKA -- A defensive stand in the final two minutes helped No. 8 Opelika edge No. 6 Murphy 10-7 on Friday night at Bulldog Stadium in the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs.

The visiting Panthers (10-2) had a first-and-10 at the Opelika 15-yard line with 1:35 left, but Bulldogs Willie Nixon and Zach Clayton each had a sack to push them back to the 35. Murphy's desperation pass into the end zone on fourth-and-28 fell incomplete.

"It was just incredible," said Opelika head coach Spence McCracken, who earned his 100th victory at OHS and his 250th overall. "It was just a great effort tonight. Our defense and kicking game were outstanding."

Corderial Collier led the defensive effort, intercepting two passes and blocking a punt to set up the lone touchdown for the Bulldogs (11-1).

The game was scoreless until the 9:33 mark of the third quarter when Kent Hagan booted a 41-yard field goal to put Opelika up 3-0.

After Collier's blocked punt, the Bulldogs made it 10-0 when Jonathan Chandler connected with Joseph Wilson for a 25-yard touchdown pass with 2:37 remaining in the third.

Opelika was on the verge of putting the game away in the fourth quarter when Murphy's Jeboris Robinson scooped up a Bulldog fumble at the 17-yard line and raced 83 yards to make it 10-7 with 5:43 to play.

The Panthers got the ball back one more time, driving all the way to the Opelika 15 before the Bulldogs' defense took over and preserved the win.

Wilson rushed 21 times for 123 yards to lead Opelika's offense.

The Bulldogs advance to play top-ranked Prattville (11-0), a 41-13 winner over Theodore, next Friday night at Stanley-Jensen Stadium.

"Tonight was a great win, but now we're looking forward to next week," McCracken said. "Wow, that'll be a good one."

McCracken is now 250-70-1 in his career and 100-26 at Opelika.

[Trojan2003]

Mobile Register

Bulldogs sack Panthers' chances of advancing

...[Trailing 10-0 midway through the fourth quarter, the Panthers caught a big break when Jeboris Robinson picked up a fumble by Opelika quarterback Jonathan Chandler and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown. Alex Dunnam's PAT kick cut it to 10-7.]...

[ksdtrojan]

Mobile Register

Bulldogs sack Panthers' chances of advancing

...[Trailing 10-0 midway through the fourth quarter, the Panthers caught a big break when Jeboris Robinson picked up a fumble by Opelika quarterback Jonathan Chandler and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown. Alex Dunnam's PAT kick cut it to 10-7.]...

But Opelika won the game and advanced to the next round of the playoffs. Jonathon's play has not been as good over the last few games since Auburn High defeated Opelika including that game.

[ksdtrojan]

Jonathon Chandler is now the #36th ranked QB prospect. His rating is 6.6 on the ESPN scale.

[CattouseFan]

The memories of the 2002 meeting between Opelika and Prattville in the Class 6A playoffs are quite indistinguishable to coaches Spence McCracken and Bill Clark.

To the Lions, it was a pleasant dream. For the Bulldogs, it was a nightmare.

"They whipped us very good," McCracken said of his Bulldogs' 21-0 loss to the Lions. "We had come off the great win over Daphne. They beat us every way you could beat somebody."

Both teams entered the 2002 game with high aspirations.

But a week after Prattville shut out Opelika, the Lions' season ended with a loss to region rival Jeff Davis.

"It was a tough, physical game," Clark said of the win over Opelika. "They were running right at people back then. They would line it up and ram it down your throat sometimes. They had Tez (Doolittle), who was a monster."

Opelika will attempt to reciprocate Friday when it travels to Prattville for a quarterfinal game at Stanley-Jensen Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

"I expect a great, tough game," Clark said. "I know they will be ready to play. They are well coached. They get after you and will be positioned right on every play."

Defense will be the key. Both teams have given up few points this year.

Prattville is among the state leaders, giving up just eight points a game.

Opelika even better, allowing seven points per game.

Last week against Murphy, the only points given up by the Bulldogs were on an 85-yard fumble return in a 10-7 win.

Opelika has sacked opposing quarterbacks 94 times and created 21 turnovers. Prattville has 76 sacks and has forced 16 turnovers.

"They are somewhat of a mirror of what we do," Clark said. "They have great size on the line, and they can move."

But McCracken is convinced he has matchup problems against the Lions.

"They are much stronger and faster than we are," McCracken said. "They have so much speed on defense. We will be lucky to get a play off.

"But this is a good team. They play together so well. If you would have told me this team would get to the third round, I wouldn't believe you. I wouldn't give you a plug nickel."

Opelika has dealt with a few injuries in the last few weeks. The Bulldogs lost quarterback Jonathan Chandler for two games due to an injury. He played last week at full speed for the first time.

"He was a little rusty," McCracken said. "We had three turnovers, but we had an offensive lineman that blew something on one play when he lost the football. He was 6-of-16 throwing the ball. Coming back from injury, I thought he did well."

Historically, McCracken has enjoyed success against Prattville, most of it coming when he was the head coach at Robert E. Lee High School. He won 13 of 14 meetings against the Lions. The lone loss came in 1990.

At Opelika, he has split two games, including the 2002 playoff game.

"I don't consider all of that," McCracken said. "Prattville is the team to beat in our area right now. They have great athletes. Bill does a wonderful job with the program."

[CattouseFan]

By Graham Dunn
Montgomery Advertiser


OPELIKA -- It was evident from the first snap from scrimmage that the Opelika Bulldogs were not going to allow Daphne running back Arnil Stallworth to beat them Friday.

Trojans' quarterback Chris Lambeth did the honors instead.

The junior passed for 190 yards and two touchdowns and led his team to the winning touchdown with 22 seconds left for a 24-21 win over Opelika in the Class 6A semifinals at Bulldog Stadium.

The Trojans (13-1) will face Hoover, which defeated Oak Mountain 28-7, next Saturday at Legion Field for the Class 6A state championship. Opelika finished 12-2.

Lambeth led the Trojans on the winning drive of 65 yards in 1:10. He converted 3-of-7 passes, including a key fourth-and-10 completion to Chris Kuglar that was good for 15 yards to the Opelika 25-yard line.

Stallworth scored the game winner on a 4-yard run four plays later.

"They had Stallworth on lock down tonight," Lambeth said. "We knew it would come down to the passing game. But the offensive line stepped up and the receivers stepped up. The team played hard all night."

Moments before the score, it looked as though Opelika had earned a come-from-behind victory. With his team trailing by three, quarterback Jonathan Chandler led the Bulldogs on a 58-yard drive that took seven plays.

He capped the drive with a 10-yard run that gave Opelika a 21-17 lead with 1:32 left in the game.

"We had our chances," said a dejected Opelika coach Spence McCracken. "We looked like we were in pretty good shape after we took the lead. Daphne deserves all the credit in the world. They made the play at the end."

It was the sixth come-from-behind victory for Daphne this season and the third in the playoffs. The Trojans fell behind G.W. Carver and Davidson before fighting back to win. They did it three times in the regular season.

"It was a great win," Daphne coach Glenn Vickery said. "I've lost count, but these kids keep coming back. It's what we try to teach. Sometimes it works and it worked tonight. It was a great night for Daphne."

Trailing 3-0, Opelika took its first lead with 9:23 remaining in the first half on a 9-yard touchdown run by Joseph Wilson, capping a 12-play drive that covered 84 yards.

The lead lasted until the final seconds of the half when Daphne drove 66 yards in just 1:30. Lambeth launched a pass 23 yards to Richie Henderson for the touchdown and a 10-7 lead at halftime.

Earlier in the drive, Lambeth set up the score with a 37-yard completion to Henderson to the Opelika 22-yard line.

Opelika took advantage of an early second half mistake by the Trojans.

On the kickoff, Devin Stallworth had the ball stripped at the Daphne 30-yard line. The ball bounced into the hands of Opelika's Whitney Jordan, who returned the fumble to the Trojans' 7. Wilson later scored from the 4-yard line to give Opelika the lead at 14-10 less than a minute into the third quarter.

The Bulldogs held the lead until the 9:21 mark of the final period when Lambeth hooked up with Henderson for 17 yards and a score, giving Daphne a 17-14 lead.

After Chandler led his team to the go-ahead touchdown, Lambeth went to work, completing a 25-yard pass to Chris Harvey to the 40. After three incompletions, he found his favorite target of the night in Kuglar, who finished with six catches for 62 yards.

Lambeth had to scramble on the play before he found an open receiver near the Daphne sideline.

"It wasn't the set up (to go to Kuglar)," Lambeth said. "I felt a little bit of pressure. The receiver broke off his route and I hit him going toward the sidelines."

Stallworth finished the drive with three consecutive carries of 14, 1 and 4 yards.

"It seemed like we had 40 fourth-down plays," Vickery said. "Things were clicking. We challenged our kids that players have to make big plays in big games and we had several tonight."

Stallworth was limited to 69 yards on 21 carries. Chandler was 11 of 17 for 165 yards passing. He added 66 yards rushing.