By Zach Alvira
Head of Content
Centennial was counted out, written off and widely an afterthought when the Coyotes started the 2024 season 0-4.
But they never stopped believing.
They remained quiet, grinding week in and week out as they awaited reinforcements in the form of transfers and players returning from injuries. Things didn't get much better, as they wrapped up the regular season with a 3-7 record.
But thanks to the Open Division, Centennial snuck into the 6A Conference playoffs as the No. 14 seed. From there, the switch flipped.
"As the season went, we got more experience and the coaches never once wavered," Centennial coach Richard Taylor said. "Our seniors have been such good leaders. This erases the beginning."
Centennial went on a tear in the postseason, knocking off No. 3 Red Mountain, followed by No. 12 Casteel before upsetting No. 2 Queen Creek in the semifinals. A Cinderella run to most was everyday business for the Coyotes.
They finished that business Saturday afternoon at Mountain America Stadium, beating No. 4 Mountain View 31-21 to become the first team in Arizona high school football history to win a state title with a .500 record.
"We used it as fuel, we used it as fire to make sure we came out on top," junior quarterback Kainan Manna said. "
Centennial started quick.
The connection between Manna and senior wideout Nikko Boncore began early.
Boncore was open early and often, finding holes in the Mountain View secondary. Manna targeted him three times on his team's first drive. Boncore caught two of those targets, the second a 33-yard touchdown to put the Coyotes on the board early.
Mountain View's offense was stagnant to start the game. The high-powered unit that took the 6A Conference by storm was outmatched thanks to the speed and relentlessness of the Centennial defense. Brady Goodman, who established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the state this season, was able to connect with wideouts but drives stalled early on.
Centennial took advantage with a Manna shovel pass to Brayden Long, who took it 80 yards for a touchdown.
"We had a lot of big plays," Manna said. "I think that was the determining factor of the game. We had enough big plays to create scoring opportunities and punch it in when we needed it most."
The second touchdown from Centennial woke Mountain View up.
Goodman began orchestrating drives up and down the field. He connected with Zach Galaviz from 5 yards out for the Toros' first score of the game. They tied it up before the half with a 4-yard run from star linebacker Beckham Barney, who came in to take the direct snap.
The second half gave way to both defenses, as the two teams traded punt after punt. Centennial broke the scoreless spell with an Owen Reynoso 13-yard run. The Coyotes also added a field goal.
Mountain View responded with a 24-yard pass from Goodman to Talan Arnett. Momentum appeared to shift toward the Toros, but Manna quickly quieted the crowd with a long pass. A few plays later, Darrion Batholomew sealed the game with a 1-yard touchdown run.
"That's a great team over there," Manna said. "If anyone knows Arizona football, that's a historical program. We are, too. We wanted to battle against them and we came out on top."
The win for Centennial comes with speculation about Taylor's future. Many outside the program believe this could have been the last ride for the school's only football coach.
Taylor didn't give any indication on whether this was his final game. Nonetheless, his players played like it was.
"We wanted to send him out on a high note," Manna said. "I don't know if he's returning or not. He's amazing. He's the greatest coach I've had."
Opmerkingen