Cibola faces tough task with No. 1 Centennial
The last time Cibola lost a game was a week ago at home to 5A Gila Valley Region foe Gila Ridge, 3-0.
The last time Peoria-Centennial lost a game, Gila Ridge didn't have a varsity football program.
The No. 16 Raiders (5-5) open the playoffs with a tall task, travelling to take on the Coyotes (11-0), winners of 37 straight and 51 of their last 52 games and three straight state titles. And they're ranked nationally in multiple polls, including No. 4 in USA Today's rankings and No. 9 on the Rivals.com top 100, one of only two Arizona schools on the list - Hamilton is No. 47.
Cibola coach Lucky Arvizo said his Gila Valley champions are looking forward to the challenge.
"There's no secret that Centennial is an exceptional team," Arvizo said. "They're not only the No. 1 team in the state they're also ranked in the top five nationally. It's going to be a tall mountain to climb, but I can tell you one thing - these guys are going to play with all their hearts, leave it all out on the field. That's the type of young men they are."
Centennial is loaded with talent on both sides of the football. Offensively, quarterback Dain McFarland has passed for 1,481 yards with 19 touchdowns to just five interceptions. He's being recruited by eight college teams, six Football Bowl Subdivision teams, and has an offer from Towson, a Football Championship Subdivision team.
Running back Anthony Hughes - who has offers from Colorado State and NAU - is averaging 11.8 yards per carry. He's rushed for 1,680 yards and 28 touchdowns. Protecting the duo is Nick Rowland, who committed to Oregon.
"That's why they have the national attention they do," Arvizo said. "Defensively you have to plan for all the facets of their game because they're very good at all them. We're just going to go out there and try the best we can to contain it."
The Coyote's other FBS recruit is linebacker Austin Arias, who has committed to UNLV. That will present a challenge to Raider running back Roy Thompson, the Gila Valley Region offensive player of the year. He has run for 1,458 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and 18 touchdowns.
"Obviously they're very explosive on offense so we have to make sure we play good defense and not give up the big play and make them drive the ball," Arvizo said. "Offensively we have to try to control the ball and work that clock, keep their offense off the field."
Thompson said he, like his teammates, is up to the task.
"We're looking at it more as an opportunity to prove of our strengths," Thompson said. "We have to be on top on defense, and on our blocks. We have to run hard and keep our game plan."
Dylan Arviso will take the snaps under center for the Raiders, having passed for 905 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions.
Not helping matters for the Raiders are injury issues. Fullback and linebacker Blake Brazeel is out, and lineman Ted Morgan is questionable.
Last year, the Coyotes began their championship run with a 48-6 win over GVR champion Kofa.
"We can't be going out their thinking these guys are going to beat us," said Cody Pletsch, who is second on the Raiders with 72 tackles. "We have to fight to the end and play Raider football."
