There is no bigger unknown in the postseason than Avondale Westview.
The Knights, the eighth seed in Class 5A Division II, lost its last three games of the regular season to finish a disappointing 6-4, but there was a huge swell of confidence with the return of quarterback Jourdan Grandon.
Grandon, who committed to Arizona this week, saw his first action of the season in the regular season finale after a preseason ankle injury and staked Westview to a 28-14 lead over Goodyear Millennium before sitting out the second half along with most of the other starters.
In other words, Westview all of a sudden had the feel of the program that made the last two 5A-II state title games instead of the one that looked so woeful against Laveen Cesar Chavez and Peoria Centennial.
Avondale Westview's Nate Owen is relieved of his QB dutues as Westview returns to full strength. (Photo by Russell Gates, Special to CoachesAid.com)
Grandon’s return doesn’t wipe away all of the problems Westview had down the stretch, but the Knights’ dangerous level has been elevated.
The problem for Westview is that fact that a win over Anthem Boulder Creek means a meeting with No. 1 seed and nationally-ranked Centennial.
Centennial, which lost in the 2005 finals and won three straight, is on the brink of history, trying to become the first team to win four straight 5A state titles.
The last team to make five straight finals at any level was Lakeside Blue Ridge, which made eight straight 3A championship games from 1994 to 2001 and the Yellow Jackets were also the last team to win four straight (94-97)
The last team to win four straight big-school state titles was Flagstaff 1981 to 1984 in 4A.
Centennial is 11-0, and rarely challenged, is the obvious favorite and it’s going to take a perfect game from an opponent for an upset to happen.
Scottsdale Chaparral running back Dwayne Garrett will continue to be all smiles if the Firebirds return to form. (Photo by Dan Zeiger, Special to CoachesAid.com)
The semifinals aren’t going to be a breeze assuming either No. 4 Tempe Marcos de Niza or Tucson No. 5 Sunnyside, both of which sustained their first lost last week, are waiting for them.
On the other side, No. 2 Scottsdale Chaparral was the expected favorite, but the Firebirds haven’t been as sharp in recent weeks. With some off field adversity taken care, Chaparral just might be good to go.
After blowing apart Mesa Mountain View early in the season, I was ready to consider the Firebirds as a true contender to Centennial.
I’ll reserve judgment on making that claim just yet, but the Firebirds got a break in the bracketing. If they return to mid-season form Chaparral will make to the title game although Glendale Sandra Day O’Connor, a possible second round matchup is on a roll. Phoenx Pinnacle or Scottsdale Desert Mountain should make the semifinals
Centennial is the heavy favorite regardless. The one team that appears to possibly match with the Coyotes is Chaparral, which has the size up front and the speed to make it a game.
If Chaparral isn’t playing at high level Centennial, behind the state’s best defense and the beast that has become running back Anthony Hughes, will cruise to state title No. 4.
I think Centennial can be had if you get the players frustrated. At times there are far too many penalties, including personal fouls, but the talent disparity usually washes away the mistakes.
Centennial won’t be able to get away with that against Chaparral, but it won’t come into play as the Coyotes’ talented senior class makes sure the four-year reign is completed.
Comments:
Chaparral hasn't played well in recent weeks for various reasons - now that doesn't mean that can't change. But the Firebirds have a lot of work to do.
And the other part is I am finally agreeing with the national hype Centennial has received all year. The Coyotes have been unreal lately behind that OLine and Hughes.