Laveen Cesar Chavez faced its toughest task of the season thus far Friday night and the Champions made a statement and proved they are a true contender in the west valley. Chavez, number-five in the aia365.com seedings in Division II, knocked off sixth-seeded Millennium 39-10 in Goodyear to remain perfect on the season.

The Champions are off to their best start in school history at 6-and-0 and are just one of two teams left in Division II with unblemished marks. They could possibly run the table heading into their regular season finale at Tempe Marcos de Niza. Chavez has an excellent shot at going into that game with a 9-and-0 record with games at Camelback (3-3), versus Betty Fairfax (5-1) and at Sierra Linda (2-4) coming up before facing the third-seeded Padres (5-1).

Senior quarterback Arturo Macias filled the stat sheet all night once again, throwing for four touchdowns and running for another. He also made an interception in the end zone in the final minute to seal the win. Macias finished 12-of-24 for 326 yards and has now thrown for over 1,350 yards with 18 TDs and just one pick this season.

Rodrick Griffin had three TD catches, all in the first half, including 81-yard and 71-yard scores within a 3:02 span late in the second quarter. The second touchdown came on a terrific tip play by fellow wide out Chasyi Bryant. As both receivers came across the middle, the ball tipped off Bryant's hands and into Griffin's, and the 5-foot-9 senior raced 71 yards to the end zone to give the Champions a 26-10 lead with 17.6 seconds remaining in the first half.

On the Tigers' first possession after the break, Chavez safety Melvin Lewis intercepted Millennium quarterback Brandon Keller and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown to give the Champions a comfortable 33-10 cushion. The Tigers then punted on their next six possessions before Macias ended their final drive with the interception.

Keller finished 15-of-37 for 193 yards, but threw four picks and was sacked five times. Lavonte Hatcher had 107 rushing yards at the half for Millennium (4-2), but added just 10 more yards on five carries after halftime. Millennium jumped out to a 7-0 lead on Nick Dodde's 40-yard TD grab with 3:16 to go in the first quarter, but managed just a field goal the rest of the way. Millennium looks to get back on track at Independence (0-6) next week.

Thomas Jenkins