Scottsdale Chaparral junior quarterback Jack Miller is making a big leap with his teammates into 6A competition on Friday night when the Firebirds travel to Chandler Hamilton to open the football season.

Meanwhile, media, especially from Ohio, have tried to get into Miller’s head in the aftermath of Ohio State coach Urban Meyer being placed on administrative leave while an investigation is conducted on what the coach knew about a domestic abuse allegation made by the wife of his former assistant, Zach Smith.

Miller became the prize of Meyer’s 2020 recruiting class earlier this summer when Miller committed to the Buckeyes.

Miller has not commented about Ohio State since Meyer came under fire. But his dad, Jack Sr., said in a text message, “He is committed as ever,” to the Big 10 power.

“We believe it will all work out,” Jack Miller Sr., said in a text.

Miller (6-feet-4, 205) is hoping to make a big splash in his 6A debut. This is the second conference up for him since his move from 2A Scottsdale Christian Academy after his freshman year. Last year, Chaparral competed in 5A.

Miller returns to familiarity in the offense with his first offensive coordinator at SCA, Tim Kohner, now Chaparral’s offensive coordinator. New head coach Brent Barnes’ offensive philosophies are on the same page as Kohner.

In his three seasons leading Norman North, Barnes’ offenses were among the most productive in Oklahoma.

Miller will have a “Big 3” to go to in running back Darvon Hubbard (another Ohio State commit), slot back Deavon Crawford and wide receiver Marcus Norvell II.

‘Smell like Christmas’

Anchorage is a long way from Laveen, but the Cesar Chavez football players got off the airplane this week in Alaska and were awed by what they saw.

Most of them had never been outside of their own neighborhood before this week as the Champions embark on a historical journey as the first Arizona high school team to play in Alaska – against the powerhouse East, no less, on Friday.

The projected high temperature for Friday in Anchorage is 62 degrees with a low of 48, according to the weather service.

“It’s different,” said senior linebacker/running back Andrew Blitzke in a direct message. “Most definitely cold. But it’s beautiful. Dark green trees and the pine tees make it smell like Christmas outside.

“This is something me and the guys have never seen before. We can’t wait to play on Friday.”

Business trip

Chandler, the No. 8 nationally ranked team according to USA TODAY Sports, left at 7 a.m. on Thursday for Corona (Calif.) to take on No. 25 Centennial. Senior quarterback Jacob Conover had a great experience the last time he played Centennial – as a sophomore two years ago in California – when he had the powerhouse on the ropes all game.

In the 56-49 loss, Conover was 16 of 26 for 465 yards and three touchdowns.

Chandler feels good about its chances to break through against a California power this time around, especially with this being the first game. Usually, Chandler plays a national power the second game of the season.

“I think it stems from Jacob Conover and the guys,” coach Shaun Aguano said. “We never played the California teams in the first game. It’s great to be on a national stage. We want to see where our kids are at.”

A win would put Chandler in a position to roll the rest of the season and possibly compete for a national championship.

The Wolves are used to big games. They played No. 1 IMG Academy of Florida in their second game last season at home. They won two national high school bowl games each of the last two years against Georgia and Florida champions.

But a national championship isn’t something Aguano talks to his players about.

“I think the kids talk about it a little bit,” Aguano said. “The good thing is that the kids have been in big games. It’s another game for them.”

Pack a lunch… and maybe breakfast

The longest road trip for an Arizona high school football team traveling to an in-state opponent this season is Bagdad’s trip to Elfrida Valley Union: 343 miles one-way.

The 1A Conference matchup between the 8-man football teams kicks off at 6 p.m. on Friday.

The team bus is set to leave around 9 a.m. on Friday morning and the drive could take the Sultans up to six hours. After the game, they’ll get right back on the road, arriving back in Bagdad likely after 4 a.m. on Saturday. 

Other fall sports starting up

In addition to football, there are ten other fall sports sanctioned by the Arizona Interscholastic Association. The first events for boys and girls golf were held on Thursday and badminton starts on Monday.

The rest are girls volleyball as well as boys and girls soccer, Aug. 27; boys and girls cross country and boys and girls swimming and diving, Aug. 28.

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To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert.