In one of the biggest matchups of the week featuring a pair of undefeated teams, top-ranked Centennial used its rushing attack to storm past third-ranked Apollo Friday night, 70-20. They entered the contest as the highest scoring teams in Division II, but the Coyotes were just too much for the Hawks.

Centennial marched down the field 80 yards to open the game, capped off with a five-yard touchdown run by Dedrick Young. On the very next possession, Apollo junior quarterback Jordan Gungl was picked off by Kyle Mack and the senior safety returned it 45 yards for a score to put Centennial on top, 14-0, just over six minutes into the game.

Apollo answered back with a 10-play, 80-yard drive as Gungl found Braxton Nickerson on a 18-yard TD strike to make it 14-7. On the following kickoff, however, Oche Myers scampered 99 yards for a touchdown and the Coyotes added scores on their next two offensive series' to put the game away before halftime.

Centennial quarterback Tre Grant continues to shine. The senior ran for 84 yards, including a 46-yard TD early in the second quarter. Grant also went 5-of-9 for 109 yards through the air and rested most of the second half once again. Jalen Ortiz led a balanced ground game with eight carries for 107 yards and had a 48-yard TD run. In all, Centennial ran for 365 yards and five TD's.

The Coyotes improved to 4-and-0 on the season and have now outscored their opponents 249-52. Up next, Centennial hosts 12th-ranked Willow Canyon next Friday with first place in Division II, Section I on the line. Then the Coyotes head to Tucson to take on seventh-ranked Ironwood Ridge on September 28th.

Gungl finished 10-of-30 for 226 yards and two touchdowns, but had the costly interception early in the first quarter that gave the Coyotes momentum and a 14-0 lead. The Hawks were once again without running back Nico Bayless and were already missing starter Robert Walls. The ground game was held to just 66 yards on 22 carries. The 3-and-1 Hawks will look to bounce back at 0-and-4 La Joya next Friday.

By Thomas Jenkins