After a dominant performance in Basha's (AZ) season-opening win over Chandler, Bears linebacker Marc Duerson III can add one more accolade to his impressive Week 1 performance.
Duerson, a Northern Arizona commit, is the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 Playmaker of the Week following the Bears' nationally-televised 37-26 win over Chandler — a game in which Duerson forced three fumbles.
In a rematch of the 2025 Arizona Open Division Championship, Basha found itself in a much closer game against the same team they beat 34-7 nine months prior.
Duerson's second forced fumble of the night proved to be the difference.
Chandler had just blocked a Basha punt and took over possession with prime field position while only trailing by six points. On the first snap
of Chandler's drive, Duerson ripped the ball out of the hands of Chandler's David Douglas, putting a screeching halt to Chandler's momentum.
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow @usatodayhss on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Basha's Marc Duerson III named USA TODAY Sports Super 25 Playmaker of the Week
