With a chance to make it a two possession game late in the third quarter, Centennial High coach Dick Taylor called Zidane Thomas’ number once again. But this time, Thomas fumbled.

The costly fumble gave the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback recruit a chance to take the lead down 13-10.

Pinnacle stark Spencer Rattler crafted a unique touchdown drive for the Pioneers that resulted iwith Kaleb Covington scoring from from the 15.

As Pinnacle took the lead, fellow teammates comsoled Thomas on the sidelines.

“They just told me we’re all in this together. Keep your head up. Everyone is needed on the team and let’s go out and win this game,” Thomas said.

A minute later, Thomas danced in the end zone after ripping off a 73-yard run to highlight a 23-20 Coyotes vcitory Thursday.

“I just knew the team was depending on me and our back was against the wall so I had to make something happen for the team. I knew the defense was going to come out and make a stop so I had to give them momentum.”

The defense bent through the remainder of the third quarter but did not break, forcing a fumble after giving up a big return to the its own 10-yard line.

But with four minutes to pla,y Pinnacle’s Jacob Veach kicked a 26-yard field goal to make it 20-20.

With the ball at its own 35-yard line and the game on the line, Taylor knew there was only one option: give the ball to Thomas.

He ran the three times en route to a 342-yard rushing game and picked up some help from Pinnacle’s defense with a critical facemask.

That set up senior kickerXavier Rojas for a 28-yard field goal with six seconds left.

The kick went straight through the uprights.

“It felt good. I knew if it got down to this I knew I could make it,” Rojas said.

Centennial had not given up a point in its first three games.

“I knew we weren’t going to go the entire season unscored upon and I was concerned about the first time we got scored upon, how they were going to react. I was real pleased with how we adjusted,” Taylor said.

The 4-0 Coyotesl travel to Avondale to take on their next opponent, the Westview Knights Friday.