Converse Judson senior quarterback Mike Chandler II’s star continues to rise a year after he transferred to the northeast Bexar County high school.
Chandler, who played his first two years of varsity ball at San Antonio Johnson High, serves as the Rockets’ determined, proactive leader. The 6-foot, 180-pound dual-threat signal-caller led his then-new school to a state quarterfinals appearance as a junior and still has his sights on turning Class 6A Judson into a seven-time state champion.
“It just shows the culture that’s here,” Chandler told Texas Scorecard. “It gives you something to play for. It gives you a different type of energy.”
First-year Judson head coach Rodney Williams said that Chandler “brought another element of how to win.”
“Given any game, we know we [have] a chance to be competitive and to win because he knows what to do and how to do it and everyone just follows him,” Williams, who succeeded current Cypress Ranch head coach Sean McAuliffe, said.
Chandler threw for 2,528 yards and 26 touchdowns against just two interceptions during the Rockets’ 12-1 campaign in 2018. He additionally ran for 858 yards and 12 touchdowns on 138 carries.
“He has a good feel for the reads,” Williams said. “[He knows] when to make a play and when not to. He protects the ball real well. When you have that, that’s all you could ask for as a coach.”
For Chandler, who loves to throw the ball, getting acclimated to the red and grey was a breeze.
“They brought me in like I’m family,” he said. “They made the transition really easy for me.”
Chandler’s second and final year at Judson began on a positive note with victories over League City Clear Springs High and San Antonio Wagner High. As of press time, the Rockets were preparing for a home matchup against Harlingen High, their last game before district play.
The quarterback is pleased with his offense and is equally complimentary of his teammates on the other side of the ball. He said he does not have a favorite receiver to connect with because they’re all so reliable.
“It’s easy to throw it up to anybody just knowing they’re going to catch the ball,” Chandler, who received scholarship offers from Southwestern Oklahoma and Mary Hardin-Baylor, said. “We don’t have just one person who carries the load; we have a lot of weapons that we can score with. Defensively, even though they lost a lot of people, they’re still one of the best defenses in the state.”
With a bevy of new players in the trenches, in the receiving corps, and on defense, Williams acknowledged that Judson has plenty of room for improvement.
“If we improve … [there’s] going to be some pretty good times for us in the future,” the coach said.
