Expectations from the Mountain Pointe-Chandler matchup Thursday night was for a barn-burner. What transpired instead was a running clock early in the fourth period.

Yes. A running clock.

Mountain Pointe sent the home fans away ecstatic as the Pride devoured Chandler, 52-7, in what most coined the 1-2 matchup of the early 6A season at Mountain Pointe.

Earlier this week, Mountain Pointe coach Norris Vaughan said his team was "not close to where we're going to be later in the season." A scary thought if true.

Whether it was running back Gary Bragg slicing and dicing his way to 161 yards rushing and three touchdowns or quarterback Noah Grover passing for 169 yards and two scores to two-way standout Isaiah Pola-Mao, the Pride (3-0) made a statement in all facets in running their record to 3-0. 

Mountain Pointe's defense came up with four turnovers in registering a near-shutout of Chandler's high-octane offense. Both teams traded punts on their first possessions, but after that it was all Mountain Pointe all the time. The Pride followed up with four TD marches and a missed field goal before halftime. 

The second half was no different with Mountain Pointe taking the opening kickoff of the second half and scoring on Grover's 2nd TD pass to Pola-Mao. They added a field goal from Ben Abercrombie a bit later in the period to take a 38-0 lead after three quarters. At the 35-0 mark, Mountain Pointe had outgained Chandler  340-106. For the game Mountain Pointe won the offense battle, 505-182, including 336 yards rushing. 

"We played really good," Vaughan said. "Total team victory. Offense, defense, kicking game, special teams. ... I expected it to be tight all the way and hard fought. Thought it would be close,and they might win."

The running clock became effective with 11:06 to play in the final period after Bragg rushed for his third TD. Mountain Pointe brought on the reserves the rest of the way and the rout continued with back-up RB Anthony Stephens rushing for a 31-yard TD for his team's final points.

Chandler (2-2) avoided a shutout when sophomore RB Decarlos Brooks broke off a scoring run with 3:33 to play. The Wolves made changes  late in the third period, likely more to tip their cap and push toward next week.

"They started rolling and we couldn't stop them," Chandler coach Shaun Aguayo said. "They played a good game. There's no ifs, ands or buts there. They're just a better football team than we are right now."