Centennial v. Chandler

Big first half helps fuel Coyotes to big win over Chandler

Recap

These two teams have had a ton of talent over the past few years and 2009 is no different. Centennial has been no stranger to playing the top 5A1 teams, defeating Mesa Mt. View and Hamilton recently. This highly anticipated matchup never got out of Centennial's control as the Coyotes had a strong first half that fueled a 61-38 win.

It didn't take long for Centennial to get on the board as RB Anthony Hughes took the kickoff to the 35 yard line and raced 39 yards on the first play from scrimmage. Hughes took it in from 21 yards out two plays later and the Coyotes took a 7-0 lead, one they would never relinquish.

Centennial's defense forced a three and out but coughed the ball up on a muffed punt. Chandler capitalized with a little trickery. QB Kyle Yount threw the ball to backup QB Brett Hundley, who was line dup as a WR, and he threw it to Michael Jordan for the TD. PAT was missed. 7-6 Centennial.

This was the only score Chandler would muster in the first half as Hughes hit paydirt two more times in the half and QB Dain McFarland acounted for two scores, hitting Austin Arias in the flats for one and squeezing in from a yard out behind is big o-line to end the half. Score at half was 34-6.

Chandler came out with some fight, forcing a fumble and driving the ball into the redzone. The Wolves then lined up big OT William Poehls at RB, attempting to score like the Fridge, a la the 1985 Chicago Bears. Poehls was stripped by Kyle Coffey, who raced 97 yards for a score to make it 41-6 and the Coyotes went into cruise control.

The Wolves used the second half to give junior QB Brett Hundley some experience and he looked impressive. He accounted for three TDs, two in the air and one one the ground. But it wasn't enough. Centennial got scores from backup RBs Jebron Harrington and Aaron Smolinski and McFarland found Matt Baugh for another score. Final 61-38 Centennial. 

Bottomline

This game was filled with penalties for both teams. Both will need to address this. But overall, Centennial was just too big up front. They pounded a much smaller Chandler d-line. Anthony Hughes is a stud. I am shocked only NAU has offered this kid. He has all of the tools. I would hate to be Chandler's OC, which QB do you play? Both are very good. Chandler was really hurt by not having Walstad. They didn't have much of a run game and the Centennial D was able to tee off on the QB. Austin Garday had several big hits. Centennial is as good as advertised.

Game Balls

Kyle Coffey and Austin Garday both had nice nights but this one has to go to Anthony Hughes. He ran tough all night and set CeHS up with some nice kickoff returns.