Eric SorensonWilliams Field had seen enough the past month so Saturday afternoon they decided to flip the script as they defeated Centennial 14-6 to claim the 5A State Championship.
The Coyotes had made a living all post-season jumping out to be an early lead, riding the legs of star junior running back Zidane Thomas and letting their sound defense do the rest rolling to lopsided wins in the first three rounds.
At University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale the Black Hawks (14-0) showed they can play some defense in the far east Valley as well, containing Thomas (23 carries for 112 yards, no touchdowns) and doing just enough offensively to hold on down the stretch.
Two of the biggest plays of the night came from senior cornerback Tre’ Bugg who scooped a Braden Valentine fumble and raced down the Centennial sideline for a touchdown. Valentine, another WF standout defensively was everywhere recording nine tackles and said interception.
Although Centennial (14-2) outgained Williams Field 348-233, the Hawks’ defense buckled down in the red zone not allowing a touchdown, sacking junior quarterback Ruben Beltran four times and intercepting him twice.
“I can’t even explain the emotions,” WF head coach Steve Campbell said on the field after the game. “For these kids…what they did. How they stuck together and believed in each other is a remarkable thing.”
Offensively, the Black Hawks was paced by senior running back Josh Alexander (17 carries, 80 yards and a touchdown) and star wide receiver Max Fine (five receptions, 74 yards).
