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Centennial matches up with top ranked Chandler in 2021 season opener

The Centennial Coyotes and the nationally-ranked Chandler Wolves will be facing off for the first featured GameTime Arizona matchup of the 2021 high school football season – Friday, Sept. 3 at 7:00 pm MT/9:00 pm CT.

How To Watch

Watch it on YurView Arizona – Cox channel 4 in Phoenix and channel 7 in Tucson. Cox customers can also watch the games on their phones using the Cox Contour App. Download the Coutour App on Apple and Android.

Live streams and replays of all games will be available to rent or purchase at watch.yurview.com.

Game Preview

Chandler is ranked as the No. 1 team in the state and No. 15 in the nation by Max Preps.

The Wolves and Coyotes met in 2020 with the Wolves getting the win 31-7. The game was a close one however as the Wolves only led 13-7 at the half before scoring 18 unanswered points in the third quarter.

“We have a really demanding schedule starting this Friday,” Centennial head coach Richard Taylor said. “Chandler is going to point out every one of our weaknesses. It’s a challenge, but we are looking forward to it.”

Since 2006, Centennial has won seven state titles. They won four of five championships from 2014 to 2019.

Chandler has had back-to-back undefeated seasons and is looking to extend their 36-game win streak.

The Wolves know they’re the team that everybody wants to take down this season.

Read more: Hipa wins three man QB competition at Chandler

“The bar has been raised the last six or seven years,” Chandler head coach Rick Garretson said. “Everybody wants Chandler to get beat. We’ll be taking it game-by-game. The ultimate goal is that we’ll be standing with the gold ball again in the Open Division.”

Sr. WR/RB Quaron Adams, 5’9” 165 – Chandler

Adams is committed to play at Iowa State. He’s rated as the No. 5 player in Arizona and the No. 40 running back in the country.

The senior will be key for the Wolves’ offense this season with fellow wide receiver Kyion Grayes out for six to eight weeks with a shoulder injury.

Garretson said Adams has improved the most in his route running this season.

“He’s fast,” Garretson said. “When you become a fast route runner you become even more dangerous. He’s diversified. He’ll probably be a little bit more involved in kick returns this year.”

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Jr. RB Kavaughn Clark – Centennial

Clark led the Coyotes in the run game in 2020 with 968 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore.

He is rated as the No. 24 player in Arizona in the 2023 class by 247Sports. He currently holds an offer from Nevada.

https://twitter.com/kavaughn_clark/status/1423852098395930627

This season Clark will be pairing up in the backfield with senior running back James Scott.

Taylor expects that having both players on the field at the same time will be a threat for opposing teams this year.

“(James and Kavaughn) were typically tailbacks that ran the ball, maybe caught the ball some, but blocking was not in their job description,” Taylor said. “They had to learn to block for each other. I think that made them closer and now they know they need each other.”

Arizona GameTime Schedule

Sr. DL Isaiah Johnson, 6’1” 285 – Chandler

Johnson is rated as the No. 21 athlete in the state by 247Sports. He committed to the University of Arizona in July.

Last season, Johnson had three sacks in five games before he went down with an injury.

The loss of Johnson on the defense was a blow to the defensive front, Garretson said. His return will be key for the Wolves this season.

“He’s taken on a leadership role on the defensive line and in the defense in general,” Garretson said. “He’s a force to be reckoned with.”

Sr. RB James Scott – Centennial

Scott is a player that Taylor has seen flourish and develop exponentially over the last few seasons.

In 2020, Scott totaled 589 rushing yards, eight touchdowns.

“He’s grown as a leader,” Taylor said. “He’s gotten stronger. I think he’s going to have an outstanding year.”

Scott has offers from Drake, Southwest Minnesota State, Lewis and Clark and Benedictine.

The Centennial Coyotes (0-0) battle the Chandler Wolves (0-0) in our GameTime Arizona featured matchup – Friday, Sept. 3 at 7:00 pm MT/9:00 pm CT.