Liberty and Centennial spent much of the season ranked as Arizona's top two teams. it seemed appropriate the two schools met for the Open Division title in a rematch of week 10. It's also part of a bigger picture that's taking place after years and decades of a near East Valley monopoly in Arizona.

Making History

This was only the second time in 64 years that the AIA’s biggest football prize was determined by two West Valley schools. The last time two westside teams met for the big school championship was 1982. The last west valley school to win the AIA’s highest classification football title was 2015, when Centennial beat Desert Ridge in the Division I (6A) title game. The year before, Centennial beat Liberty in the Division II championship contest. Centennial coach Richard Taylor is Arizona's longest tenured football coach, as his first season opening Centennial was 1990.

 Series Lead to Liberty

With Saturday night's win, Liberty now leads the series 7-6 since the Peoria District schools started meeting in 2013. This was the first Open championship appearance for both. Liberty had scored the most points in 6A this season; Centennial had allowed the fewest going into the game.

Navi Nightmares

Liberty's first varsity season was 2008. The Lions have made the playoffs every year. Saturday night was also a full circle moment for senior Navi Bruzon. As a freshman in 2020, he was called up to varsity for the Open quarterfinal game against Centennial. Navi, in his only play of the game, completed a 2-point conversion pass to lift Liberty to 25-24 win. Navi and Liberty have not lost to Centennial since that game. 

Centennial's Marcus Logan is consoled by a Liberty player after Liberty's 33-21 victory Saturday night. Photo by Jake Jurado

Classy Competition

After observing some ugly moments during the 5A title game and after the 6A championship contest, it's worth noting the healthy nature of Liberty and Centennial's rivalry. Football is both physically and emotionally intense. Trash talk and bravado are inevitable. But in two games with the stakes at their highest this season, both teams seemed to play and interact with the highest level of respect for eachother during and after each game.

Kudos to both.

 

Ben Stapley is a staff reporter for AZPreps365. Follow him on 'X' @AZPreps365Ben. For human interest story ideas, contact him at bstapley@azpreps365.com