Homecoming Football Game Vs. Palo Verde
Jackson Froistad
Bark! Voice of the Bulldogs
Staff Writer
The Centennial Bulldogs entered Friday’s Homecoming game with a win/loss record of 3-3, looking to find their first home win. The much-anticipated homecoming game against the Palo Verde Panthers, who entered the game 3-4, was scheduled for a 6 PM kickoff, however due to a lighting delay, it didn’t start until 7:45 PM.
Centennial received the kick and started their drive at their own 20 yard line. Head coach DJ Campbell said, “the Bulldogs wanted to establish the run at the beginning, and that showed throughout the first drive, as senior Brogan Church scored his first of three rushing touchdowns 2 minutes and 5 seconds into the game.”
The defense was able to capitalize as well, forcing a fumble 1 minute and 55 seconds later, giving Centennial’s offense the ball at the Panther’s 33 yard line. Senior Brogan Church capitalized with a rushing touchdown, though the extra point was blocked. Palo Verde was able to respond with an 84 yard passing touchdown, the longest scoring play of the game, leaving the score 13-7 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter contained less offensive success, with both teams punting twice, and the Bulldogs having a turnover on downs with less than two minutes to go in the half, leaving the score unchanged.
The Panther’s special teams started the second half strong with a kick return past midfield, but Centennial’s defense held them to a 39 yard field goal. An explosive play from Centennial’s Brogan Church put the ball at the Panther 40 yard line, and junior wide receiver Jayden Thomas brought in a touchdown, giving the Bulldogs a 20-10 lead.
An interception by junior free safety Maxwell Miles, his fourth of the year, brought the ball to Centennial’s 42 yard line, and a reception by senior Jordan Bostick led to the Panther 5 yard line. Brogan Church – who put up a season high of 172 yards on 17 carries – was able to score again on a direct snap rushing touchdown. The extra point was blocked again.
Palo Verde attempted to stage a comeback, after a Centennial turnover gave the Panthers the ball with a short field. They ultimately scored, and converted a two point conversion. After stopping the Bulldogs and forcing a punt, Palo Verde scored with 50 seconds left, and had a two point conversion to tie, but Centennial came up strong and stopped them. Palo Verde failed to recover an onside kick, and Centennial was able to secure their first home victory this season, 26-24, on a rainy homecoming night.
Centennial’s Jayden Thomas said after the game, “It feels great. We prepared real good going into this game so I was really confident we were going to come out strong.” Centennial (4-3) hosts Mojave (3-5) in the penultimate game of the season this Friday, October 17.
