Centennial comes together for playoff surprise in Mesa

By Cameron Chester
Mail

MESA - Every fall, playoff football always starts with a couple of surprise results.

By seed and season record, if not by program reputation, No. 14 Centennial delivered a shocking twist to the 6A football bracket, upsetting #3 seed Red Mountain 21-7 in Mesa on Nov. 15.

Each team has been experiencing a lot of ups and downs overall. The Hawks were a favorite to return to the Open Division final and started 0-4. Red Mountain started 7-0 and was #3 in the Open Division rankings, then lost its final three and fell into the 6A bracket.

“If you keep fighting hard and keep playing hard, good things will happen,” Centennial Coach Richard Taylor said.

During the first quarter, defense was in control. Neither team couldn’t find the end zone until Centennial junior quarterback Kainan Manna connected with senior Shamar Berryhill for a 6-yard touchdown, with 1 minute left in the period.

Berryhill, the transfer from Tucson Sabino, was one of the Coyotes who stood on both sides of the ball this game. Moments later after the first score, in the second quarter, Berryhill got open and scored a 35-yard touchdown burning past the defender against him.

“Shamar balled out and made my job easier. Red Mountain has a tuff defense and every chance you have against their defense you got to execute,” said Manna.

Red Mountain, at halftime, was down two touchdowns, and after the break, their offense continued to struggle against the Coyotes' hard-nosed defense. The Mountain Lions had multiple incomplete passes, an interception in the first half and turned the ball over on downs at Centennial’s 32-yard line in the third quarter.

But senior quarterback Simon Lopez still had some fight left in him and put the team on his back.

Dancing in the pocket, Lopez was scanning the field, looking for an open receiver. With no one open, Lopez found a lane down the middle of the field wide open for his43-yard touchdown with 11 minutes left in the game.

Red Mountain had some faith restored. But that faith would be crushed after the Coyotes other standout transfer Nikko Boncore caught a 48-yard-deep ball down the field and scored to give Centennial a 21-7 lead with 5:15 left on the clock.

With 2 minutes left in the game, Lopez led his offense down the field to Centennial’s 19-yard line. Red Mountain couldn’t convert on fourth down and turned possession over.

The Coyotes ran out the 1 minute left and moves on as Arizona's best 4-7 team.

This was not the outcome Red Mountain wanted, especially starting 7-0 after making a run to the 6A final as the #13 seed in 2023. Coach Kyle Enders said he was proud of his team for the great work they delivered all season and still fighting till the very end.

Taylor said he was proud of his team’s determination, hustle and performance.

Next week, Centennial will face No. 11 Casteel, which had the biggest upset Friday. The Colts suspended coach Bobby Newcombe earlier in the afternoon and fell behind 2023 Open semifinalist Higland 24-0 in Gilbert.

The Colts came all the way back to win 29-27. Now, No. 11 Casteel (6-5) hosts No. 14 Centennial (4-7) in an unexpected quarterfinal at 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 22 in Queen Creek.