Chance Aspaas Kirtland Football Named San Juan County Sports Athlete of the Week
Sponsored by The Graphic Designer
By Wally D
Photos by Mario Deschilly.
Chance Aspaas Named San Juan County Sports Athlete of the Week
Kirtland Central senior Chance Aspaas delivered the kind of performance that went well beyond the stat sheet Friday night.
Aspaas helped lead the Broncos to a big 20-14 road victory over previously unbeaten West Las Vegas, accounting for 201 yards passing, two touchdown passes and another 78 yards rushing while also making an impact on the defensive side of the football.
For that performance, Aspaas has been selected as the San Juan County Sports Athlete of the Week.
Kirtland Central head coach Coach Shuttleworth said what impressed him most wasn’t simply the numbers his senior quarterback produced.
“Just his level of commitment to the team, doing what was necessary for the team’s success, not only for his,” Shuttleworth said.
Aspaas’ ability to hurt defenses both through the air and on the ground has become an important part of the Kirtland Central offense.
“When he’s able to keep the ball on a good read, then the defense can’t key 100 percent on the running back,” Shuttleworth said. “When we’re completing the ball and running, everything’s hitting on all cylinders. They have to defend the entire field.”
That versatility proved especially important against West Las Vegas.
The Broncos fell behind 7-0, but instead of allowing the early deficit to change the game’s direction, Kirtland Central responded with 20 unanswered points in the second quarter.
Shuttleworth said Aspaas’ composure helped set the tone.
“He just stayed calm,” Shuttleworth said. “It’s easy to be confident when you’re winning. It’s not so easy to be confident when you’re not.”
That mindset has been something the Broncos have emphasized as the program continues to grow.
“If it’s 7-nothing, 14-nothing, all it is is just something to overcome,” Shuttleworth said. “And that’s what we did.”
West Las Vegas entered the game undefeated at 5-0, but Shuttleworth said the Broncos tried not to focus on their opponent’s record. Instead, Aspaas and his teammates concentrated on execution and understanding what West Las Vegas would try to do defensively.
“If we focus on those things, which he does, it makes it easier for him to stay calm, cool and collected and be able to start producing on a weekly basis,” Shuttleworth said.
Aspaas’ responsibilities don’t end when Kirtland Central’s offense leaves the field.
He also plays outside linebacker, where he finished the West Las Vegas game with six tackles and a tackle for loss.
Playing quarterback and outside linebacker requires Aspaas to understand two very different sides of the game.
“You’ve got to think about all the stuff he has to learn as a quarterback each week,” Shuttleworth said. “And then that outside backer has a ton of information too.”
Shuttleworth said Aspaas’ willingness to prepare for both roles while also handling his responsibilities in the classroom says plenty about his character.
“That says a lot about a young man who’s willing to take that much time to make sure he understands both sides of the ball and leadership positions on both sides of the ball, plus perform well in the classroom,” Shuttleworth said.
Perhaps Aspaas’ biggest improvement has been his confidence and his belief in what the Broncos are building.
Kirtland Central has gone from a program searching for a winning season to a team sitting at 3-2 after knocking off an undefeated opponent.
“Chance comes in and he has to be able to toe the same line that I’m preaching, and he’s doing it,” Shuttleworth said. “By him doing that and staying bought into the program, he’s helping turn the ship around. Kids like him are making a huge difference.”
His leadership also extends to his teammates.
Aspaas is consistently at practice, encourages teammates to be there and continues to develop as a vocal leader.
“He’s leading by example,” Shuttleworth said. “He’s learning how to lead verbally. He’s doing a great job of how to stay calm, how to communicate with his teammates so that they know we’re in it together. It’s not an individual thing.”
One play against West Las Vegas may have demonstrated Aspaas’ football awareness better than any statistic.
After noticing the West Las Vegas defensive end repeatedly crashing down against Kirtland Central’s toss sweep, Aspaas made an adjustment.
The Broncos called another toss sweep.
Only this time, Aspaas kept the football.
“He put in a fake toss sweep, naked boot,” Shuttleworth said. “We didn’t have that. That was not in the playbook.”
Aspaas had recognized what the defense was doing and took advantage of it, keeping the football for an eight- or nine-yard gain and an important first down.
“There’s the kid who wants the ball to make a play,” Shuttleworth said.
That moment summed up the confidence Kirtland Central has developed in its senior quarterback.
Aspaas’ statistics show his ability as a football player. Shuttleworth believes what happens away from those numbers says even more.
“Statistics say how good of a player he is,” Shuttleworth said. “He’s a good kid.”
Aspaas has become one of the players helping connect the coaching staff with the locker room, reinforcing the message coaches are trying to establish while earning the respect of his teammates.
“He holds himself to the same standard that everybody wants to be,” Shuttleworth said. “Because of his willingness to be around and do what it takes, it’s rubbing off on other kids.”
And for a Kirtland Central program looking to turn the corner, that may be Aspaas’ biggest contribution of all.
Chance Aspaas — Kirtland Central Broncos
201 passing yards | 2 passing TDs | 78 rushing yards | 6 tackles | 1 tackle for loss
For his performance and leadership in Kirtland Central’s 20-14 victory over West Las Vegas, Chance Aspaas is the San Juan County Sports Athlete of the Week.
San Juan County Sports Athlete of the Week is proudly sponsored by The Graphic Designer — your local source for custom embroidery, screen printing, promotional products, business branding, signs, banners, and creative design services. Conveniently located in Farmington, The Graphic Designer helps businesses, schools, teams, and organizations stand out with professional quality and personalized service. 2021 E 19th St Farmington 505-326-1552
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