Centennial Surges Past Queen Creek in Playoff Thriller
Coyotes Secure 37-32 Victory, Extend Winning Streak
With their season on the line, the Centennial Coyotes delivered a gritty playoff performance on Friday, edging out the Queen Creek Bulldogs in a hard-fought 37-32 victory. Coincidentally, 37 points has become a magic number for Centennial, as it also marked their scoring total in their previous win.
Key Performers Shine for Centennial
Centennial’s offensive charge was spearheaded by standout performances from Owen Reynoso and Kainan Manna. Reynoso dominated on the ground, racking up 105 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries, showcasing his efficiency and power. Manna added a crucial 33 rushing yards and another touchdown, his best rushing performance since September.
Special teams also played a pivotal role, with Aaron Alvarez putting up 13 points on his own. Alvarez was flawless, nailing 3-of-3 field goal attempts for nine points and converting all four extra-point attempts to round out an impressive showing.
The Coyotes relied heavily on their ground game, amassing 292 rushing yards—nearly triple Queen Creek’s total of 107 rushing yards. This dominance in the trenches proved to be a game-changing factor in Centennial’s success.
Queen Creek's Standout Efforts Fall Short
Despite the loss, Queen Creek’s Tait Reynolds showcased his dual-threat abilities. Reynolds threw for 218 yards and two touchdowns while adding 70 rushing yards and another score on the ground. Special teams ace Crew Leavitt added a highlight-reel kickoff return for a touchdown, demonstrating the Bulldogs' resilience in a tight contest.
However, Centennial's balanced attack and defensive effort proved too much to overcome, halting Queen Creek's seven-game home winning streak.
Coyotes Heating Up at the Right Time
The win marked Centennial's third consecutive victory, improving their record to 6-7. The Coyotes' offense has hit its stride during this stretch, averaging 31.7 points per game and showing consistency in all phases of the game.
Up next, Centennial faces Mountain View in a highly anticipated showdown on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Both teams enter the matchup with significant momentum—Mountain View boasts six straight home wins, while Centennial has notched four consecutive road victories. Something will have to give as these two red-hot teams collide.
As for Queen Creek, the Bulldogs conclude their season with a strong 10-3 record but will no doubt reflect on missed opportunities in their final game.
Looking Ahead
Centennial’s ability to dominate the ground game and capitalize on special teams has them poised to make a deeper playoff push. With key contributors like Reynoso and Alvarez firing on all cylinders, the Coyotes are building a reputation as a team peaking at just the right time.
Mountain View should prepare for a battle as Centennial looks to extend their playoff run and continue their winning ways.