Tyler Simpson is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Central High School for AZPreps365.com.

PHOENIX- Central High School won five games in its previous three seasons. This year, the Bobcats matched that total with five of their own, winning on senior night against North Canyon High School, 33-30.

“This program has come a long way,” said senior two-way player Carter Allen. “This last year was the very start and now we are just putting building blocks on.”

Allen, known for his speed as a wide receiver, had one touchdown at the beginning of the second half on a 32-yard catch-and-run. The versatile senior had two other touchdowns called back due to penalties, but still managed to pick up two more catches totaling 71 yards.

Taking a step back to the first half, the Rattlers scored early with a strong running drive topped off with an eight-yard run by Brock Biley. The Bobcats answered hot on the kickoff when senior Anthony Pacheco fielded the kick on the 13-yard line and weaved through defenders like a snake for an 87-yard touchdown.

After a three-and-out from North Canyon, quarterback Dominik Bagchi of the Bobcats lofted a floater down the field to receiver Kohnor Roque-Brown for a 28-yard touchdown. It was 13-7, Bobcats, in the middle of the first quarter.

The scoring dried up for both teams until another rush-heavy drive by North Canyon, which featured runs by offensive lineman who lined up in the backfield. The Rattlers obtained another rushing touchdown by Biley in the middle of the second quarter and then a field goal to end the first half breaking the 13-13 tie.

Allen’s touchdown was the only scoring in the third quarter, and that put Central on top, 20-16.  Early in the fourth quarter North Canyon, facing third-and-long from its own 35, attempted a long heave. The pass bounced off the hands of two Bobcat defenders and...behind them was a Rattler receiver making the grab for a touchdown. North Canyon found itself once again in the lead, 23-20.

On Central's next possession, the Bobcats marched down the field, abetted by three pass interference calls. That led to a four-yard touchdown run by senior running back Isaac Duarte and the lead see-sawed back in Central's favor, 27-23.

One drive later, Bobcat senior Joe Munoz caught a 38-yard touchdown that extended the lead to 10. The Rattlers strided down the field for a touchdown with :46 left to draw within 33-30, but the ensuing onside kick was unsuccessful. From that point forward, the Bobcats kneeled it off for their first victory at home this season.  

“It just shows how tough they are and the commitment that they have,” said coach Chandler Hovik.

The eight seniors who put on their helmets for the last time were on historically bad teams for Central. They won zero games on the freshman team in 2018 and on junior varsity in 2019. Carter Allen was a part of those teams, but now he is a star.

“Every game we have played this year, he is the best player on the field offensively and defensively,” said Hovik. “He never gives up and his teammates rally behind that.”

Allen is the captain on and off the field for the Bobcats. He is an honor roll student who instead of playing football in college, will look to study engineering.

There is a lot of love, dedication, and adversity that brought Central to a winning record this season and Munoz will miss it all. “All my teammates were here for me,” said Munoz. “I scored the game-winning touchdown to get 33 points, for my number.”

The number 33 will be hung up for the last time for Munoz, where his team went 5-4 on the season finishing third in the 5A Metro region. As for North Canyon, they finished fourth with a 3-7 overall record.