Dalanie Todd
ASU Student Journalist

Williams Field loses third straight game, falls to Centennial

September 30, 2022 by Dalanie Todd, Arizona State University


Williams Field Blackhawks on the sideline during the fourth quarter.

Dalanie Todd is an ASU Cronkite School Journalism student assigned to cover Williams Field High School for AZPreps365.com

PEORIA -- The Williams Field Black Hawks lose their third game in a row, falling to the Centennial Coyotes, 24-22, Friday night.

The Black Hawks (2-3) just could not handle the Coyotes' quick offense and powerhouse defense. Winners of four straight, Centennial (4-1) continues to impress on both sides of the ball. 

Williams Field entered Friday's game aware of its struggles of being mentally ready for games due to losing focus during practice that's hindered gameday performance.

“We need to be consistent more often with our line blocking, quarterbacks, defense and special teams. We’re all there, we just have to be consistent with it,” tight end Austin Coots said. 

Last Thursday, they lost to Desert Ridge Jaguars by one point in overtime, 34-33. 

The previous game before that, the Blackhawks fell short to Casteel in the fourth quarter.

Williams Field has developed an unfortunate pattern. The Black Hawks always start strong in the first half before letting the game slip away in the second half. 

They came into the game with a strategy after studying film on Centennial's defense.

“We were looking at their defense and making a gameplay for the game,” Black Hawks running back Marlin Taylor said.

Then the game started. This time, Williams Field started slow. 

The Black Hawks just were not in the game offensively and defensively as well as they could have been. Centennial scored six minutes in the game.

However, the Black Hawks defense stepped up in the second quarter.

Cornerback Josiah Dye and defensive end Javon Maxey caused incomplete passes and instant stops from the play, but the Coyotes continued to extend their lead.

Throughout the first half there were multiple flags called on Williams Field. The Black Hawks committed turnovers and has several incomplete passes.

Williams Field kept pushing themselve and managed a field goal near the end of the first half, but trailed 17-3 at halftme. 

The Black Hawks continued to struggle in the second half as they turned the ball over early in the third quarter. They showed improvement in scoring twice, got stops and forced Coyotes quarterback Steven Urquiza to throw the ball to the running backs insetad of downfield to the wide receivers.

That didn't stop the Coyotes from continuously bulldozing their way towards the end zone.

“We need to work as a team more.” Williams Field cornerback Joey Edwards said. “I think defense and offense don't work together as a group. We are all family. We all can work together.”

The Blackhawks play at Mountain View next Friday at 7 p.m.