PEORIA — In nearly three decades of Centennial varsity football, the Coyotes have rolled out some dominating defenses.

The 2018 version just might be their best ever.

Top-ranked Centennial capped off an undefeated regular season Friday by totally shutting down the Sunrise Mountain Mustangs 48-0 on Senior Night. The Coyotes set a new school record with their fourth consecutive defensive shutout over the past month of 5A Northwest Region play.

“Sunrise has a quality offense and a good quarterback but our defensive coaches dialed up some things tonight that no one has really seen this year,” Centennial Head Coach Richard Taylor said. “The defense played extremely well once again. We’ve gotten 3 1/2 games of shutout football before but four full games is a record for us.”

The numbers are mind-boggling for Centennial (10-0, 5-0). Defensive coordinator Andrew Taylor’s talented group has allowed just 48 points in 10 regular season games — 19 of those were surrendered in the season opener at Casteel. Centennial’s first-team defense has allowed two touchdowns all season long, one to Casteel and another to Las Vegas Bishop Gorman in the final seconds of that Aug. 31 interstate showdown.

Centennial junior quarterback Jonathan Morris (8) throws a pass while being pressured by Sunrise Mountain sophomore defensive tackle William Howard during the second half of their football game on Friday Oct. 26, 2018. “Centennial is on another level,” Mustangs Head Coach Steve Decker said after the game. “You can’t block them, they’re well coached and their size and strength are unbelievable.”

It was apparent early that it could be a long night for the #9 Mustangs (7-3, 4-1). After starting with Jaydin Young in the wildcat formation, the Coyotes’ Tawee Walker raced 7 yards to the right pylon for a quick touchdown just five plays into the game. Juaquin Rodriguez added the PAT to make it 7-0 just 1:47 into the contest.

“We wanted to spice things up and give their defense something different to worry about,” Taylor said of the wildcat. “It worked.”

Mustangs standout senior QB Keegan Freid stepped onto the field and was under pressure from the first offensive snap.

“We are quick on the defensive line and we know Freid likes to break contain and run,” said Centennial defensive lineman Connor Knudsen. “We did a good job of containing him. He had nowhere to go.”

Centennial forced a three-and-out and following a Freid punt, the Coyotes’ offense went back to work. Walker, Young and A.J. Jackson were all featured on a 10-play drive that saw Young score on the ground from 10 yards out. The successful kick made it 14-0 at the 4:55 mark of the first quarter.

“They play like some wild animals and they played well tonight,” Freid said of the Coyotes’ defense. “We are young and we got smacked in the mouth but we need to shake this off heading into the playoffs.”

Freid managed to dart free for a 19-yard scramble on the next series but the drive stalled, leading to another punt. The Coyotes then went for the jugular.

From his own 20, Centennial QB Jonathan Morris spotted Jackson streaking down the center of the field. The easy pitch and catch added up to a one-play, 80-yard scoring drive as Jackson hauled in the perfect throw and outran the Mustangs secondary. A bad snap foiled the conversion try but it was still 20-0 just 10 minutes into the game.

“I saw some man coverage,” Morris explained. “I know A.J. is really good at getting off the press — he’s so fast and my line gave me plenty of time to make that connection.”

Knudsen registered a sack on the Mustangs’ next series to force another punt. Eric Haney hauled in an 18-yard pass from Morris and Walker followed with a 27-yard scoring run and the rout was on. After 12 minutes, Centennial led 27-0.

Freid was then picked off on fourth down by Coyotes linebacker Eric Cire Fields. The teams exchanged punts before Morris lofted a 15-yard TD pass to Jackson at the 3:00 mark of the second. Rodriguez connected to make it 34-0.

Sunrise punted again and Jackson returned the boot to the Mustangs’ 20. Two plays later, Young stumbled into the end zone from 17 yards out and Centennial held a 41-0 halftime lead.

There was major concern for Sunrise sophomore Elijah Anderson in the third quarter. The defensive back was accidentally kneed in the head and was down on the turf for several minutes. Anderson was later carted off in an ambulance but was awake, talking and moving all his extremities. Medical personnel said he was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons.

The Mustangs’ lone defensive highlight took place minutes later as Coltin Church intercepted Morris but Sunrise again could not move the ball.

The scoring was capped by Jackson’s third TD reception, a 20-yard fly sweep at the 10-second mark of the third quarter.

The Coyotes’ D finished the night with seven sacks, an interception and ultimately handed a donut to a Sunrise squad that entered the night averaging 45 points per game. The Mustangs managed just 148 total yards compared to 499 for region champ Centennial.

“Sunrise had not been shut out all season,” Knudsen said. “That was our goal tonight.”

Walker led the Centennial ground game with 11 carries for 133 yards and two scores. Young added 73 yards on seven carries and his two rushing TDs. For the season, the Coyotes are averaging 7.9 yards per carry.

Morris was 12-for-17 through the air for 225 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT. Jackson caught 5 passes for 141 yards and 3 scores.

Sunrise Mountain senior quarterback Keegan Freid (10) is sacked by Centennial senior defensive end Connor Knudsen (32) during the second half of their football game on Friday Oct. 26, 2018. Both teams will enter the 5A playoffs next Friday. #1 Centennial will host 16 seed and region foe Sunnyslope while Sunrise, by virtue of playing the Coyotes, moved up two spots and got the #7 playoff seed. The Mustangs will host #10 Campo Verde in round one.

“We can make a run,” Decker said. “We obviously don’t match up well with Centennial but we can make a run.”

Taylor is looking forward to the postseason where his Coyotes will attempt to defend their 5A title and win a third state crown in the past four years.

“Not many teams have the opportunity to complete a 10-0 regular season and our guys took advantage of that,” he said. “As the playoffs start, we need to take care of the football, be sound on special teams and create turnovers.”

Knudsen said Centennial is ready to roll in the postseason.

“We aren’t looking past anyone,” he said.

CENTENNIAL 48 SUNRISE MOUNTAIN 0

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Total
Sunrise	0	0	0	0	0
Centennial	27	14	7	0	48

SCORING SUMMARY

C – Tawee Walker 7 run (Juaquin Rodriguez kick)

C – Jaydin Young 10 run (Rodriguez kick)

C – A.J. Jackson 80 pass from Jonathan Morris (conversion failed)

C – Walker 27 run (Rodriguez kick)

C – Jackson 15 pass from Morris (Rodriguez kick)

C – Young 17 run (Rodriguez kick)

C – Jackson 20 pass from Morris (Rodriguez kick)