The playoffs came a month early, but if Chandler and Tempe Corona del Sol should cross paths again in November, good luck matching this one.

SLIDESHOW: Corona del Sol vs. Chandler

SLIDESHOW: Friday night high school football

Fortunately for Corona del Sol, it need only to match its level of play in the Aztecs’ 35-27 victory on Friday night. Chandler, however, will need to exceed itself.

You name it, this game had it, and it lived up to the billing of No. 1 vs. No. 4 in 5A Division I.

Big plays were aplenty. Hits were heard loud and clear. Mistakes were magnified, and the Aztecs’ celebration felt sweet to a team that, until now, faced questions about its schedule during this undefeated run.

“Couldn’t ask for anything more,” Aztec senior linebacker Evan Althiede said. “It was definitely the biggest game on our schedule.”

Back and forth they went, as each team showcased its team speed on both sides of the ball and traded scores for three quarters. Corona del Sol (7-0) ran both up the gut and outside with Michael Lange and sprinkled in an occasional short pass by Chase Cartwright.

Chandler (5-2) came out slinging. The Wolves spread out their offense while getting big plays from Markus Wheaton and Bryce Lamb outside. Kyle Yount began the game 6-for-6 passing, and Chandler needed three minutes to take a 7-0 lead.

The volley began, as each team responded to the other en route to a 21-21 halftime draw, but after a perfect start, the Wolves committed six turnovers and had 60 yards in penalties.

Althiede and Ryan Nolan each picked off two passes, and Nolan’s second of the night in the end zone negated a Wolves scoring chance.

The Aztecs took a 28-21 lead in the third quarter on Lange’s second of three touchdown runs.

“They played well, and we helped them out too many times, and they’re too good for that,” Chandler coach Jim Ewan said.

Again, the Wolves responded when Taylor Walstad scored from 4 yards out, but Corona blocked Chandler’s extra point to maintain a 28-27 lead. A 15-yard penalty on the ensuing kickoff set up Lange’s third touchdown run, and the Wolves fumbled on their final drive of the night.

“We’re not the biggest team, but we’ve got the biggest (darn) heart,” Aztecs coach Gary Venturo said. “I’m sure we’ll see them again.”

Lange showed himself to be among the best this season, with 24 carries for 183 yards and three scores. Althiede scored twice in addition to his two picks, and the Aztecs’ defense held Chandler to 45 passing yards in the second half.

“It’s a tough lesson to learn, but if the kids learn from it we’ll be fine,” Ewan said. “It’s just that we won’t know that until next week or the week after.”

Althiede, for one, heard the talk about Corona playing a soft schedule to start the season, but it grew significantly tougher on Friday.

So, too, did the Aztecs.

“I don’t think they can ask questions anymore,” he said.