It’s not common for a 6-foot-6 athlete to be tasked with patrolling the defensive backfield, but that’s a luxury Sierra has in Chapman.

“That’s something you don’t see out there in the secondary, but it definitely helps us defensively,” Sierra coach Jeff Abrew said. “He’s just back there playing center field, and whenever it’s thrown up there this year, he’s been able to pull it down.”

That was the case last Friday at Sheldon, where the 205-pound junior snagged four interceptions in the second half to help the Timberwolves (3-1) secure a needed 24-14 victory.

“A.J. had a phenomenal game,” Abrew said. “I had never heard of something like that. We needed every single one of those interceptions — they were clutch. He helped seal the game.”

While the offense struggled to finish drives, Chapman and the rest of the defense did their part by shutting out the Huskies (2-2) in the second half. Ryan Reyes had a key interception of his own, as Sheldon threatened in the red zone. Three of Chapman’s picks came in the fourth quarter.

“We needed some energy, or something big to happen,” Chapman said. “The defense helped me out a lot, and I was just glad to be able to do that for my team. I think it helped changed our mindset and energy for the rest of the game, and we were able to come out with the ‘W.’”
His first interception came early in the third quarter and followed Brock Felt’s 12-yard touchdown run that pushed Sierra ahead for good. Sheldon quarterback Gavin Workman tried to hit a receiver on a crossing route, but the towering Chapman cut in front of the intended target and leaped vertically to make the grab.

In the fourth quarter, the Huskies drove into Sierra territory but were thwarted again by Chapman. That interception set up Trevor Sutton’s 21-yard field goal, capping the final score.

Chapman dimmed Sheldon’s hope for a comeback on the next possession when he reeled in an underthrown pass from a scrambling Workman.

Sheldon’s defense forced a three-and-out, but Chapman struck one last time on the second play of the next drive. He jumped in front of a receiver on a seam route for the final takeaway.

“Honestly, I was not expecting a game like that,” Chapman said. “I try to approach each and every game the same way and try to play my best. The defense and the team has been doing very well, and it kind of rubbed off on me. I was able to play my best in that game, and I’m just very happy with my team and how the defense played as a unit.”