The Queen Creek (AZ) varsity football team will host Centennial (Peoria, AZ) in a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the “2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 6A” tournament, where both teams will compete for a spot in the next round of the playoffs.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona State High School Football Playoff
Who: Queen Creek (AZ) vs Centennial (AZ)
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 6A
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Queen Creek vs. Centennial

As the postseason nears, Centennial and Queen Creek stand as two teams with contrasting records but undeniable potential. Centennial has faced some tough challenges, finishing the season with a 5-7 record, but the team has shown resilience and the ability to compete against strong opponents. On the other hand, Queen Creek has put together an impressive 10-2 record, making them a formidable contender in their league. This article breaks down the statistical comparison between the two teams, highlights their key players, and looks at their performance against common opponents.

Offensive Comparison: Centennial vs. Queen Creek

Centennial:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: 137.4
• Passing Yards Per Game: 204.2
• Receiving Yards Per Game: 201.4
• Total Yards Per Game: 341.6
• Points Per Game: 23.6

Centennial’s offensive game plan is balanced, with a solid ground attack and an efficient passing game. They average 137.4 rushing yards per game, with running back Owen Reynoso contributing 56.7 yards per game. Quarterback Kainan Manna has been effective in the air, throwing for 156.2 passing yards per game. The offense totals 341.6 yards per game, and though they score 23.6 points per game, they will need to step up their scoring output in order to compete with high-scoring teams like Queen Creek.

Queen Creek:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: 226.6
• Passing Yards Per Game: 174.6
• Receiving Yards Per Game: 174.5
• Total Yards Per Game: 401.2
• Points Per Game: 30.0

Queen Creek is known for its dominant rushing attack, averaging 226.6 rushing yards per game. The team’s offense is spearheaded by running back Tait Reynolds, who is a dual threat, rushing for 113.0 yards per game and adding another 168.3 yards in the passing game. Quarterback Tait Reynolds has been key to the offense, throwing for 174.6 passing yards per game. With a total of 401.2 yards per game and an average of 30 points per game, Queen Creek has the offensive firepower to overwhelm opponents.

Key Players: Centennial vs. Queen Creek

Centennial:

• Owen Reynoso: The team’s leading rusher with 56.7 yards per game, Reynoso provides the necessary balance to Centennial’s offense and can be a game-changer on the ground.
• Kainan Manna: As the team’s quarterback, Manna has thrown for 156.2 yards per game, and his ability to spread the ball out and keep defenses honest will be crucial in games where Centennial needs to score quickly.
• Nikko Boncore-Montoya: The top receiver for Centennial, Boncore-Montoya averages 70.0 receiving yards per game, providing a reliable target for Manna in the passing game.
• Aaron Alvarez: A standout on defense, Alvarez averages 7.8 tackles per game, providing key stops and helping to keep Centennial in games defensively.

Queen Creek:

• Tait Reynolds: A star player on both sides of the ball, Reynolds leads Queen Creek with 113 rushing yards per game and 168.3 passing yards per game. He also contributes significantly to the team’s scoring with 9.0 points per game, making him a multi-dimensional threat.
• Quintin Miles: A key receiver for Queen Creek, Miles has been instrumental in the passing attack with 80.0 receiving yards per game, and he will be a primary target for Reynolds in critical moments.
• Jayshon Liles: Liles is the team’s defensive leader with 11.3 tackles per game, making him a force to be reckoned with on the defensive side of the ball.
• Nick Harper: Contributing on defense with 1.0 sack per game, Harper plays an important role in disrupting opposing offenses and will be key to putting pressure on Centennial’s quarterbacks.

Record Breakdown

Centennial:

• Overall Record: 5-7
• League Record: 2-2
• Non-League Record: 1-5
• Home Record: 1-4
• Away Record: 4-3
• Playoff Record: 2-0
• In-State Record: 5-7

Despite a tough season overall, Centennial has shown resilience, particularly in the playoffs with a 2-0 record. Their non-league struggles have been evident, but they have still managed to pull off key wins in critical situations.

Queen Creek:

• Overall Record: 10-2
• League Record: 3-1
• Non-League Record: 5-1
• Home Record: 7-0
• Away Record: 3-2
• Playoff Record: 2-0
• In-State Record: 10-2

Queen Creek has had a stellar season, with only two losses on the year. Their dominant performance at home (7-0) has helped them build confidence, and they have been equally effective on the road (3-2). Their solid play in both league and non-league games makes them a strong contender in the postseason.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced Highland, Pinnacle, Red Mountain, and Casteel. Centennial had a 2-2 record against these common opponents, with losses to Highland (24-17) and Pinnacle (41-38), and wins over Red Mountain (21-7) and Casteel (37-14). Queen Creek fared better, winning all four of their games against these opponents, including close wins over Pinnacle (37-28) and Casteel (39-38), along with victories over Red Mountain (28-23) and Highland (23-20).

Conclusion

In this upcoming postseason matchup, Queen Creek enters as the favorite with a 10-2 record and a potent offense that can strike quickly. Their ability to dominate the ground game with Tait Reynolds and control the clock will be key to their success. Meanwhile, Centennial will look to exploit their balanced attack, with Owen Reynoso and Kainan Manna playing pivotal roles.

Despite Centennial’s strong defense and leadership, Queen Creek’s offensive prowess and depth give them the edge in this matchup. However, if Centennial can keep the game close and force mistakes, they may be able to pull off an upset. Both teams have the talent to make a deep playoff run, and this game will surely be one to watch.