Centennial won in a battle of unbeatens last Friday night as the Coyotes topped Ironwood Ridge 21-7 in a huge Division II, non-section matchup in Peoria.  Troy Hawthorne got things going for Centennial with a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the first quarter that gave the Coyotes a 7-0 lead. Jalen Ortiz added a 60-yard TD run early in the second to make it 14-0. Ortiz rushed for over 100 yards before leaving the game in the second half with an undisclosed injury.

Mitch Fischer got the Nighthawks on the board early in the fourth quarter with a four-yard touchdown run. IR recovered the ensuing kickoff at Centennial’s 24 yard line, but the Coyotes defense stood tall and took over on downs. The Coyotes then drove down the field 79 yards and standout senior Zach Hoffpauir scored on a three-yard run with just over three minutes to go to give Centennial a 21-7 lead. Fischer was held to under 100 yards rushing for just the second time this season.

The Coyotes improved to 6-and-0 and are now third in the Division II power rankings. Centennial faces another tall task this week as the Coyotes clash with fellow undefeated Deer Valley Friday in a Division II, Section I showdown in Glendale. The Skyhawks, ranked first in Division II, are also 6-and-0 following a 51-24 victory at Bradshaw Mountain last Friday. The Coyotes will have to try and find a way to slow down Deer Valley star running back Trae Armstrong, who has rushed for 926 yards and 15 touchdowns this year.

Ironwood Ridge looks to bounce back this Friday at home against Marana Mountain View. MV has lost three in-a-row to fall to 3-and-3 on the season.

Thomas Jenkins