Chandler Page breaks the team huddle after a stellar performance in the first round of the Class D6 playoffs. The senior running back ran for 291 yards and five touchdowns on only eight carries for the Parkview Christian Patriots six-man football team as they defeated the Southwest Roughriders 61-27.
After resting for the majority of the second half, Page is the first man on the other side of the 80-yard field to pick up the pylons and yard markers.
“He’s been a great leader and was voted team captain two years in a row,” athletic director and assistant coach Jordan Lauterbach said. “We have kids that play for each other, and they are willing to help out any way they can.”
Page led the Patriots to a 7-1 regular season by rushing for 1,155 yards and 21 touchdowns. His breakaway speed and ability to change direction makes it hard for opposing defenses to stop him.
“He’s been a very good asset to our team,” senior quarterback Elijah Colbert said. “I don’t think we’d be where we are right now without him.”
The Patriots had easily taken care of business with all their wins being blowouts. While Page may be credited for most of the success, he is quick to thank the three men up front who have been doing their job all year.
“We have obviously had a lot of success on the field and most of that goes to the line,” Page said. “They are fast for how big they are. They are some of the most physical people I know so that helps with the game all around.”
The Patriots win over the Roughriders was another instance of the game being decided before halftime. Page only recorded one of his eight carries in the second half, taking it 65 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the third quarter.
“This season, he’s kind of been a victim of our teams’ success,” Lauterbach said. “I think he averages per game maybe seven carries. He hasn’t played a lot of second halves this year.”
While this could be tough for Page having his monster games complete with two quarters left to play, he is happy with other running backs like junior Alex Rohrbaugh and sophomore Thomas Copeland having the chance to make their own great plays.
“I have really gotten close with helping the younger-classmen do well, especially my backup running backs,” Page said. “They put in a lot of work, and they deserve it as much as I do.”
Heading into the final games of his high school career, it is a bittersweet feeling for Page, as he has done his best to help better the program.
“The thing I’ll miss the most is the brotherhood that I have made with everyone on the team,” Page said.
While the Patriots prepare for their next opponent, it is certain that Page will give it his all when he is on the field and remain a great sport off it.
“We just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing all year,” Page said. “There’s no need to change it if it’s not broken.”
