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WEST VALLEY PREPS

Liberty pulls away from Centennial to earn place as Arizona's best

Lions beat Peoria rival 33-21 in Open Division final

Liberty senior linebacker Zane Tallman and defensive backs coach Stephaun Peters leap for a chest bump after Tallman scooped up a blocked punt and returned it to the Centennial 29 with Liberty trailing 14-12 late in the second quarter. The Lions scored to regain the lead and won the Open Division final 33-21 in Tempe Dec. 2.

Liberty senior linebacker Zane Tallman and defensive backs coach Stephaun Peters leap for a chest bump after Tallman scooped up a blocked punt and returned it to the Centennial 29 with Liberty trailing 14-12 late in the second quarter. The Lions scored to regain the lead and won the Open Division final 33-21 in Tempe Dec. 2.

(Courtesy JJ Digos Photography/For West Valley Preps)

Centennial senior receiver/cornerback Kenny Worthy exhorts the crowd after catching a 44-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Kainan Manna in the second quarter to give Centennial a 14-6 lead over Liberty in the Open Division final Dec. 2 in Tempe.

Centennial senior receiver/cornerback Kenny Worthy exhorts the crowd after catching a 44-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Kainan Manna in the second quarter to give Centennial a 14-6 lead over Liberty in the Open Division final Dec. 2 in Tempe.

(Courtesy JJ Digos Photography/For West Valley Preps)

Liberty senior receiver Ryan Jezioro turns upfield to complete a 50-yard second quarter touchdown reception that cut the Lions deficit to 14-12 in the Open Division final Dec. 2 in Tempe.

Liberty senior receiver Ryan Jezioro turns upfield to complete a 50-yard second quarter touchdown reception that cut the Lions deficit to 14-12 in the Open Division final Dec. 2 in Tempe.

(Courtesy JJ Digos Photography/For West Valley Preps)

Centennial senior running back Angel Matamoros keeps his balance to score the last touchdown of the Dec. 2 Open Division final. Centennial lost to Peoria rival Liberty 33-21 in Tempe.

Centennial senior running back Angel Matamoros keeps his balance to score the last touchdown of the Dec. 2 Open Division final. Centennial lost to Peoria rival Liberty 33-21 in Tempe.

(Courtesy JJ Digos Photography/For West Valley Preps)

Liberty's student section enjoys itself during the Lions 33-21 Open Division final win against Centennial Dec. 1 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe.

Liberty's student section enjoys itself during the Lions 33-21 Open Division final win against Centennial Dec. 1 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe.

(Courtesy JJ Digos Photography/For West Valley Preps)

TEMPE - The sea change in Arizona high school football is complete.

And it was not easy for Liberty against Peoria rival Centennial Saturday night, until the Lions defense slammed the door in the second half.

Centennial did not score until four minutes remained and could only cut its deficit to 33-21. That was the final score of the Open Division title game.

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