By Don Ketchum

Scottsdale Chaparral's defense had rarely been challenged this season, entering Monday night's (Dec. 13) Class 5A Division II state championship game.

But Peoria Centennial did so, at least for awhile.

Centennial had a 10-9 lead at halftime, but Chaparral's defense stepped up the pace in the second half to spark the Firebirds to their second straight title with a 32-17 victory. Chaparral finished the season 14-0, while Centennial finished 12-2.

Defensive lineman Sean Komella led the way with a pair of safeties, and Colton Bishop recovered a fumble and had an interception. Centennial had just 200 yards total offense for the game.

"This feeling is hard to explain,'' Komella said. "It's just great. We (defense) stepped it up in the second half.''

Of his two tackles that netted the Firebirds four points, he said, "I just played the gap, played the way I've been taught.''

Centennial coach Richard Taylor said his team "couldn't afford to have second and third (down ) and long. We challenged them a little, but not much.''

Centennial's highlights were a leaping 17-yard touchdown catch by Gary Ross late in the first half, a 43-yard field goal by left-footed kicker Alex Kammeyer as time as time expired in the first half, and a 66-yard touchdown catch by Julien Singleton in the fourth quarter.

Chaparral's offense was not spectacular as it had been most of the season, but was solid.

Zach Skeen rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown. Lucas Petrullo rushed for 88 yards and a TD. Devonte Neal rushed for 30 yards and a touchdown and caught threee passes for 30 yards.