Chaps earn first season, district win for 2026
The Aubrey Chaparrals varsity football team got into the win column for the first time this season, going on the road and knocking off the Castleberry Lions, 60-0 on Sept. 25.
The Chaps dominated in all phases of the game, racking up over 400 yards of offense and eight touchdowns en route to their first district win.
“Our guys came out fast and extremely motivated and executed at a high level from the first play, and we were able to put up 50 points in the first half,” said Keith Ivy, Aubrey athletic director and head football coach. “Offense, defense, everybody played with a lot of energy, and our communication was great, and overall, it was a great start to district.”
It was all Aubrey from the opening whistle, with the Chaps finding the end zone early in the first quarter on a 7-yard run from running back Corbin Frazier, taking a 6-0 lead after a failed 2-point conversion.
The Chaps padded their first quarter lead with three touchdown passes from quarterback Connor Murphy, who connected twice with wide receiver Parker Thurman from 19 and 10 yards out and once with wide receiver Adrian Blanco for a 69-yard bomb.
Aubrey took a 27-0 lead into the second quarter, and it didn’t take them long to add to it, with Murphy finding Thurman again this time from 20 yards out, extending the Chaps' lead to 34-0.
Thurman made his way for the fourth time in the game with a 20yard rushing touchdown, giving the Chaps a 40-0 lead.
Aubrey closed out the half with wide receiver Cade Duncan catching a touchdown pass from Murphy, making the score 47-0 at the half.
The Chaps scored three more times in the second with two field goals and a 21-yard rushing touchdown from running back Nathaniel Duroseau, making the final score 60-0.
Murphy finished the contest going 8 for 11 for 152 yards passing and 5 touchdowns, while adding another 55 yards rushing.
Duroseau was the Chaps' leading rusher with 6 carries for 84 yards and 1 touchdown, while Thurman posted 69 yards of total offense and 4 touchdowns.
“Our offense line really took control, and we dominated Castleberry up front, and that allowed Connor and our running backs and receivers to do what they do best, and they had a lot of success,” Ivy said. “The first three weeks of the season, we had a tough time getting going, so this felt like the first game this year where we came out locked in from the first play.”
Ivy also spoke highly of the Chaps’ defense that held the Lions to 48 yards of offense in the contest.
“It was similar to our offense; it all started up front with our defensive line,” he said. “… Our linebackers and secondary also played extremely well, but we were making most of the tackles at the line of scrimmage. Our defensive coaches did a good job game planning, because Castleberry had a big offensive line, but our strength and quickness gave them fits. It was a great performance all around.”
Ivy added that he hopes the victory restores the Chaps’ belief in themselves going forward.
“The biggest thing is that it gives us a little more confidence in what we’re doing, not only as individuals but also as a team,” he said. “It’s all too easy to start secondguessing when things are not going perfectly and you fail a few times, but when you can come out and get a win like that, your camaraderie and confidence go up, and those things are crucial when it comes to having success in the game of football. … It’s a good feeling to get that first win, especially in district, and now we have a big matchup this week against Springtown.”
