The Red Mountain High School varsity football team from Mesa, AZ, is set to host Centennial High School from Peoria, AZ, in an exciting home playoff game this Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the prestigious 2024 AIA State Football Championships, competing in the highly competitive Conference 6A tournament.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Arizona High School Football
Who: Centennial vs Red Mountain
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 6A
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Centennial vs. Red Mountain
In an exciting Conference 6A playoff matchup, the Centennial Coyotes (Peoria, AZ) will face off against the Red Mountain Lions (Mesa, AZ) on Friday, November 15. Both teams have had contrasting seasons, and this game provides a prime opportunity for Centennial to pull off an upset against the higher-ranked Red Mountain.
Team Records and Rankings
Centennial
- Record: 3-7 overall, 2-2 in section play
- Home/Away: 1-4 at home, 2-3 on the road
- Ranking: 20th in Arizona, 15th in Division
- Points For (PF): 261
- Points Against (PA): 243
- Win %: .300 overall, .500 in section
Centennial has had a challenging season with a 3-7 record, but they’ve managed to stay competitive in section play at .500. They’ve scored 261 points and allowed 243, showcasing a resilient defense that has kept them close in many games. Despite their losing record, Centennial’s ability to compete on the road gives them a chance to make a statement in this playoff game.
Red Mountain
- Record: 7-3 overall, 3-1 in section play
- Home/Away: 4-1 at home, 3-2 away
- Ranking: 6th in Arizona, 6th in Division
- Points For (PF): 369
- Points Against (PA): 209
- Win %: .700 overall, .750 in section
Red Mountain has enjoyed a strong season, finishing with a 7-3 record and a top-10 state ranking. With 369 points scored and only 209 allowed, Red Mountain’s offensive strength and defensive discipline make them a tough opponent at home, where they have a 4-1 record.
Scoring Averages by Quarter
The quarter-by-quarter scoring averages reveal different pacing for each team:
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centennial | 5.7 | 5.2 | 9.3 | 4.7 | 26.1 |
| Red Mountain | 12.5 | 12.0 | 7.9 | 4.5 | 36.9 |
Red Mountain’s explosive starts (12.5 points in Q1) could be key to setting the tone, while Centennial’s scoring peaks in the third quarter. Red Mountain will likely aim to build an early lead, leveraging their high-scoring offense to create a buffer Centennial might find challenging to overcome in the latter part of the game.
Keys to the Game
- Red Mountain’s Fast Starts: Their ability to score quickly and often in the first half puts pressure on Centennial to respond early.
- Centennial’s Defense: With a close PF-PA margin (261 to 243), Centennial has managed to keep games tight, which could be crucial if they can slow down Red Mountain’s offense.
- Home Field Advantage: Red Mountain’s strong 4-1 home record plays in their favor, adding to their edge as a higher-seeded team.
As the teams prepare to clash in the 6A tournament, Red Mountain enters as the clear favorite. However, Centennial’s resilience and ability to score later in the game could make this a close contest if they can hold off Red Mountain’s potent early offense.
The Centennial Coyotes (3-7) are set to face off against the Red Mountain Mountain Lions (7-3) in a game that showcases both teams’ strengths and areas for growth. Centennial will be looking to overcome their recent struggles against common opponents, while Red Mountain aims to build on their winning record and strong performance in league play.
Team Stat Comparison
Red Mountain has shown a more balanced offensive attack this season, averaging 357.3 total yards per game compared to Centennial’s 338.5. While Centennial has a slight edge in passing yards per game (217.5 to Red Mountain’s 209.2), Red Mountain’s advantage in rushing yards (148.1 versus Centennial’s 121.0) gives them the versatility to keep defenses guessing. This versatility has translated to higher scoring, with Red Mountain averaging 35.1 points per game, well above Centennial’s 22.8.
On defense, Centennial has been effective in pressuring quarterbacks, averaging 3.5 sacks per game, led by standout Gavin Gardner. Red Mountain, however, has been stronger in tackling, averaging 58.4 tackles per game to Centennial’s 51.2, which could make the difference in stopping key plays.
Key Players to Watch
- Centennial:
- Owen Reynoso is Centennial’s leading rusher, with an average of 62.4 yards per game. His consistency on the ground will be crucial to keeping drives alive.
- Kainan Manna has been efficient in the passing game, averaging 159.9 passing yards per game. His primary target, Nikko Boncore-Montoya, leads with 72.0 receiving yards per game.
- On defense, Aaron Alvarez (7.6 tackles per game) will be a key presence, while Gavin Gardner (1.1 sacks per game) could disrupt Red Mountain’s passing game if he gets into the backfield.
- Red Mountain:
- Simon Lopez leads the Red Mountain offense with 198.5 passing yards per game, making him a dual-threat who can keep defenses on their toes.
- Jackson Bogle complements Lopez with his reliable rushing attack, averaging 53.9 yards per game, while Bode Wagner provides a deep threat, leading the team with 80.8 receiving yards per game.
- On defense, Jameson Wade is a force, averaging 9.1 tackles per game, and Jaxon Griffin adds pressure with 0.4 sacks per game.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced Hamilton, Highland, and Queen Creek this season, with Centennial going 0-3 against these teams and Red Mountain managing a 1-2 record. Centennial suffered narrow losses in all three games, including a close 17-10 loss to Hamilton. Red Mountain was able to defeat Highland convincingly, 28-11, showing resilience and adaptability against shared opponents. This record against mutual teams may give Red Mountain an edge in this matchup.
Record Breakdown
- Centennial has had a challenging season, with a 3-7 overall record and a 2-2 record in league play. They’ve been stronger on the road, where they hold a 2-3 record compared to 1-4 at home.
- Red Mountain, meanwhile, comes into the game with a solid 7-3 record, including an impressive 4-1 in league games. They’ve also been formidable on their home turf with a 4-1 record, making them tough to beat in familiar territory.
Game Outlook
For Centennial, success will likely come down to efficient passing and creating pressure on the quarterback. If Kainan Manna can find his rhythm with Boncore-Montoya and Reynoso can provide balance on the ground, they may be able to keep Red Mountain’s offense off the field and limit scoring opportunities.
Red Mountain, on the other hand, will look to control the game with their balanced offense, led by Lopez and Bogle. With the advantage in both scoring and tackling, they have the tools to manage Centennial’s offensive threats and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
In what promises to be a competitive matchup, Red Mountain holds the advantage with their stronger overall record, versatility on offense, and experience in league play. However, if Centennial’s defensive line can disrupt Red Mountain’s passing game and their offense can capitalize on key moments, they may have a chance to pull off an upset in this late-season clash.
