Cinderella Centennial Shines Bright: Coyotes Capture 6A State Title with Victory Over Mountain View

TEMPE, Ariz. — In a remarkable turnaround, the Centennial Coyotes have clinched the 6A state championship, defying expectations after a tumultuous regular season. They entered the playoffs as the No. 14 seed, having lost seven of their ten games, including three of their last four. Yet, they triumphed in the title match against Mountain View, winning 31-21 at Mountain America Stadium on Saturday.

This victory marks the eighth state championship for veteran head coach Richard Taylor, who has led the Coyotes for 35 years. The win comes a year after Centennial was defeated by rival Liberty in the Open Division championship.

The Coyotes’ season began on a disheartening note, suffering defeats in their initial four games against formidable teams like Hamilton and Highland. Despite close calls, they secured their first win only after nearly a month, defeating Boulder Creek. A subsequent victory against defending state champions Saguaro momentarily raised hopes, only for a tough loss to Queen Creek to follow.

After finishing the regular season with a record of 5-7, Centennial found themselves in the 6A playoffs against heavyweights, including No. 3 Red Mountain. However, against the odds, they claimed a 21-7 upset in the first round. This momentum continued as they dispatched No. 11 Casteel 37-14 in the quarterfinals and edged out No. 2 Queen Creek 37-32 in the semifinals.

The championship game showcased both teams’ determination. Centennial began with a swift lead through a 33-yard touchdown pass from Kainan Manna to Nikko Boncore-Montoya. Although Mountain View quickly equalized, Centennial responded dramatically. Brayden Long sprinted 80 yards for a touchdown, ending the first quarter 14-7 in favor of the Coyotes.

As the game progressed, scoring slowed, and Mountain View managed to tie the game at 14 just before halftime. However, Centennial regained control after the break, and a 47-yard field goal extended their lead to 24-14 early in the fourth quarter. Despite a late touchdown from Mountain View, the Coyotes sealed their victory with a one-yard touchdown run to finalize the score at 31-21.

Remarkably, Centennial became the first team in history to win a state championship after finishing the regular season with seven losses, concluding the year with a balanced record of 7-7. Their journey exemplifies resilience and determination, earning them a historic title.