Anne Perry is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover the Centennial Coyotes for AZPreps365.com

The Centennial High School football team won its fourth consecutive game Friday by beating Williams Field High School 24-22 in Peoria.

“It was a very exciting game, kind of back and forth,” said Centennial head coach Richard Taylor.  

The game was filled with fumbles and recoveries by both teams. When one team intercepted the ball, the other team had already recovered it by the next play. Two minutes before halftime, Centennial running back Kavaughn Clark fumbled the ball and Black Hawk Josiah Dye recovered it. On the next play, Centennial’s cornerback Kenneth Worthy III intercepted a throw from Black Hawk quarterback Travis Ebner. At the beginning of the third quarter, Worthy made a similar play, but Black Hawk defenders intercepted it on the next drive. 

Taylor said the defense was focused on slowing down Black Hawk running back Dylan Lee. Lee, a junior, averages 267.3 rushing yards per game. 

Lee’s running ability in the game can’t be denied, but Taylor’s efforts with the defense were evident. The defense successfully stopped him from gaining yardage for most of the game. 

“We had to lock in and the defensive line played their hearts out,” said Noah Carter, a junior wide receiver and cornerback for Centennial.

Carter made a game-changing interception when Williams Field tried to go for the two-point conversion and to take the lead. He had two interceptions in this game, one resulting in a touchdown and the other ending the Black Hawk’s potential game-winning drive. 

Centennial was prepared for the running talent within Williams Field’s offense, but Taylor said they weren’t as ready for the Black Hawk’s quarterback. In the second quarter, Ebner threw a 50-yard pass to Austin Vincent for a touchdown, making the score 17-10 in favor of Centennial. 

They scored again shortly after with a 3-yard rushing touchdown by Lee. Centennial then answered on the next drive with a touchdown by Clark in the fourth quarter. Williams Field quarterback Ebner went long to Vincent for another touchdown during the fourth quarter, where they went for the two-point conversion but fell short, making the final score 24-22 for Centennial. 

“It’s easier to play fast, play hard, when you know what’s coming,” Worthy said.

Looking forward, Centennial has a bye week and then onto Sandra Day O’Connor High School (4-1) in Phoenix, where the Coyotes hope to continue their winning streak.