FOOTBALL GAME OF THE WEEK: #8 Westview at #1 Centennial 5A-II quarterfinal

Centennial (12-0) knows it’s in for a considerably tougher game Friday night. For the third playoff season in a row, the Coyotes continue their regular-season rivalry with Avondale Westview (9-3).
This year, there’s two differences. The game isn’t for the 5A-II state title and it’s not at a neutral site. Win or lose, this will be Centennial’s final home game of 2009.
Most observers would also say the gap between the two schools has widened this year. After all, the nationally-ranked Coyotes pummeled the Knights 40-0 — on their home turf in front of a national audience.
Centennial coach Richard Taylor is not in that camp.
“It was nothing like the score indicated, Taylor said. “If you watched the offensive and defensive line play — in any one or two series — you would have no idea who was winning.”
As in the regular season, the primary question is the availability of Westview senior quarterback/safety Jourdan Grandon. He’s missed most of the season with a broken foot, including the first game with Centennial.
A week later, the University of Arizona signee played in the first half against Goodyear Millennium and staked the Knights to a 28-14 lead. Grandon did not play in the second half and the Westview defense collapsed, allowing Millennium to win 42-28.
Grandon was expected to play in the first round against Anthem Boulder Creek, but did not see a snap. The Knights roared back from a 17-7 third-quarter deficit, with big runs by senior Eric Ramsey and junior Jordon Champion leading to a 35-17 win.
In Grandon’s absence, Ramsey has taken on more of an offensive role in addition to his duties as the defensive leader (eight tackles per game as a middle linebacker). And senior Nate McOwen, Grandon’s top target last year, eventually settled in at quarterback.
Thanks to how dramatically Westview’s offense changes without its leader, Taylor said in effect, Centennial is preparing for two teams.
“We’re preparing more for the reality that he will play,” Taylor said.
The Coyotes also are ready for a difficult stretch drive. In the first round, Centennial raced to a 34-0 halftime lead against Yuma Cibola and played its reserves throughout much of the 48-14 win.
To win a fourth straight state title, Centennial must beat its neighborhood nemisis, then it would face a tough challenge from either Tempe Marcos de Niza or Tucson Sunnyside. Survive this, and Centennial gets a top Desert Sky Region team (Scottsdale Chaparral, Phoenix Pinnacle or Scottsdale Desert Mountain) in the title game.
“Sooner of later, you’ve got to face good teams to reach your ultimate goal,” Taylor said.