Centennial's future bright despite 6A title game setback
Young Coyote stars look ahead
Centennial sophomore quarterback Titus Hill (14) throws downfield against Casteel in the 6A title game Dec. 6 in Tempe. (Picture Lady Photography/West Valley Preps)
Posted
I'm going to remember how well our coaches and kids dealt with adversity this season ― and with the talent we have returning, there's a lot to build on.”
TEMPE ― In the aftermath of a tough 42-27 loss to Casteel in the 6A football championship game Dec. 6 at Mountain America Stadium, several Centennial Coyotes hit the ground in sadness and frustration after falling just short of their ultimate goal.
Some seniors saw their football careers end. Some will continue to play in college. But one thing is for certain ― with the amount of young talent Centennial put on the field this season, it won't be long before the Coyotes are right back competing for another gold ball trophy.
"There's certainly a lot to build on," Centennial Head Coach Andrew Taylor said after accepting the runner-up hardware. "Obviously things didn't turn out how we would have liked today, but you have to tip your cap to Casteel and the way they played. They did a good job of executing their offense based on how we lined up on defense."
Speaking to the amount of youth playing big minutes for Centennial, there were times in the championship game when the Coyotes had no seniors among their 11 players on the field playing defense.
"Zero," Taylor emphasized. "A lot of youth."
The Coyotes have nothing to hang their heads about. After winning the 6A title last season as a 14 seed, to even qualify for the chance to repeat was nothing short of miraculous. A month before this season began, the starting quarterback who led Centennial to that improbable 2024 crown left the program and moved to California.
"You always talk about being ready for sudden change hoping that it doesn't actually happen," Taylor said. "We dealt with a lot of sudden change."
Enter sophomore quarterback Titus Hill.
Hill took the reins of the Coyotes' offense and didn't look back. It wasn't always pretty as the young player made his way through a 7-3 regular season. But Hill's final 2025 individual stats show why Coyote fans have reason to look forward to the quarterback's future at CeHS ― 13 games played, more than 2,300 yards passing, 23 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions as a 10th grader.
Hill's sophomore twin brother Torrin, who was a key contributor to the 2024 championship as a 9th grader, will also return next year after hauling in 10 touchdowns through his first two seasons.
Together, the twin brothers combined on one of the most storied plays in Centennial football history. Trailing Mesa by 1 in the 6A quarterfinals on 4th and 26, Titus fired a ball downfield 50 yards downfield that Torrin managed to tip to himself ― the "Hill Mary," leading to a game-winning field goal and a 41-39 miracle victory:
Besides the Hill twins, other Coyotes returning and expecting to contribute in 2026 include DE/LB Luke Franklin, DB Elijah Carothers, DB Josiah Carothers, LB Aidan Torres, OL Ben Lowther and WR/DB Devin Taylor.
As the 2025 season continued, Centennial suffered five season-ending knee injuries to key players.
"But we showed a lot of heart and a lot of fight ― we didn't panic and kept swinging," Taylor explained. "We took some big risks that sometimes paid off and sometimes did not."
Andrew Taylor took over this season for his father, Richard, who claimed 8 state titles during his time as the Centennial head coach. For now, Andrew will continue to wait for his first championship at the helm but the talent coming back brings renewed optimism for Coyote Nation.
"This season was a testament to the character of our players and coaches," Taylor said. "And I'm extremely proud of that.
"My first season as head coach was a rollercoaster ride with a lot of ups and downs but it was a fun one. I'm going to remember how well our coaches and kids dealt with adversity," Taylor added. "It is difficult to end the season like this, but we will definitely be back."
Matt Loeschman has had two separate stints at Independent Newsmedia. He began as a reporter covering Peoria and later Surprise from 2000-2009. In 2017, he returned to Arizona and INI as the news editor of the Daily News-Sun (now the Phoenix Independent). He previously covered the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League for more than a decade.
Community: During high school football season since 2017, he contributes live postgame radio reports to the AzPreps 365 Friday Night Football Wrapup Show. He supports organizations such as Phoenix Children’s, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley and the American Cancer Society.
Education: The University of Texas at Austin majoring in Journalism-News and Public Affairs.
Random Fact: He can sing and he has been fortunate to meet many famous people during his journalism career including First Lady Hillary Clinton, King of Country Music George Strait and Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey. Attended all 4 home games of the 2001 World Series.
Hobbies: Watching and playing a wide variety of sports, including golf, tennis, pickleball and softball. Playing PlayStation 5, working out, shopping and reading.
By 
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here