FOOTBALL GAME OF THE WEEK: Cesar Chavez at Centennial

Laveen Cesar Chavez visits Centennial Friday night, ready to battle for the Desert West Region championship with a one of the nation’s top 10 teams, according to the USA Today and ESPN.
But that won’t be the Champions primary source of motivation. They’ll play this game like its their last — because it very well may be.
“They’re a senior-oriented team. They’re (almost) all seniors,” Centennial senior nose tackle/offensive guard Dylan Lusk said. “You know they’re coming out fired up. We have to come out harder. We have to treat it like one of the biggest games of the year to become region champs and get a good seed in the playoffs.”
The Arizona Interscholastic Association banned Chavez (7-2, 5-0) from postseason play two weeks ago, citing recruiting violations. The school has appealed the ruling, and will have its case heard Friday morning.
If the sanctions are upheld, a hurt and angry group will take the field. Chavez, currently No. 4 in the 5A-I power point rankings, will make Centennial (10-0, 5-0) its state playoff game.
“They’re going to be at an emotional pitch,” Centennial coach Richard Taylor said. “I’ve told our guys (this week) we’re going to have to meet their intensity. They’re going to play as if its their last game and we’ve got to do the same.”
The Champions used their probation as motivation in a 36-0 thrashing of Avondale Westview on Oct. 23. They’ve had two weeks to prepare for Centennial and think about the AIA ruling.
Centennial’s also coming off a shutout of Westview (6-3, 3-2). The Coyotes 40-0 road rout was televised live on ESPNU.
Senior tailback Anthony Hughes enjoyed the spotlight, running for a career-high 306 yards on only 14 carries. Hughes scored four touchdowns, on runs of 77, 67, 23 and 11 yards.
“I’d like to give that to my line, because without them it doesn’t work,” Hughes said. “I was just in a zone, I guess. I was ready, feeling loose and I hit the holes fast enough.”
The Coyotes kept their game plan basic, relying on Hughes' runnig and a 35-yard strike from Dain McFarland to Matt Baugh to make sure this year’s game with Westview didn’t turn into a war.
Westview faced Centennial in the last two 5A-II title games, and has experienced more success against the Coyotes than most teams by controlling the clock. This year, the Knights have been compromised by the loss of dual-threat senior quarterback Jordon Grandon. Without one of the state's most dynamic players, Centennial was able to slow Westview’s wing-T offense.
“Westview’s our rivals, we’ve seen them in the state championship the last two years,” Lusk said. “We really wanted to come out and show them that they have no chance this year and just punch them in the mouth. It felt great to slow down their offense.”
Chavez’s defense had similar success against Westview. Its secondary, led by senior cornerback Adam Dixon has been sound all season. In recent games, the front seven has caught up.
“They’ve made leaps and bounds on defense,” Taylor said. “They are really running to the ball now.”
Sophomore receiver Davonte Neal receives much of the publicity on offense, and he’s just as dangerous on returns and reverses. Junior quarterback Joseph Raya, senior tailback Regis Johnson and a big offensive line complete the attack, but there’s no doubting who the big-play threat is.
“They like to get the ball to Davonte Neal a lot, they like to put it on him with that speed,” said Hughes, who also plays safety.
Playing an opponent carrying this much emotion into the game may seem difficult, but the Centennial players and coaches welcome the challenge. They’re used to getting each team’s best game, and still have a goal to shoot for.
Centennial, despite its lofty national rankings, has something to prove to the computers. The Coyotes are No. 2 in the 5A-II power rankings, a sliver behind Scottsdale Chaparral.
And, as Taylor said, what better way to prepare for the playoffs than in a game with playoff intensity.
“I think that Cesar Chavez is going to make sure that we are where we need to be,” Taylor said. “Our kids have always to risen to that. Whatever happens, it will help us be ready for playoffs.”