The 14th Annual MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard passed through Arizona on Tuesday, January 29 to recognize
Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.) High School and its football team for winning a state championship and earning a high national ranking.
Photo By Precision Sports Entertainment
Having upended Notre Dame Prep 60-7 in the
AIA Class 5A state championship contest, the 14-1 Coyotes claimed their second straight state football title, at the expense of the Saints, and earned the No. 81 ranking in
MaxPreps' National Rankings!
MaxPreps and the Arizona Army National Guard were on hand to celebrate Coyote football at halftime of the boys varsity basketball game against Sunrise Mountain. Beforehand, however, the Tour of Champions visited in depth with state championship winning coach Richard Taylor about Centennial's fantastic football season. Taylor, who has been coaching at the school since Centennial opened its doors 29 years ago, has developed an amazing football program that has set the standard in Arizona.
During the junior varsity basketball game, MaxPreps and the Arizona Army National Guard gathered outside the gymnasium, handing out swag and coveted Tour of Champions t-shirts to Centennial football players. The Coyotes also received their state championship hats, setting off quite the celebration!
At halftime, MaxPreps representative Mary Lovekamp and four Army National Guardsmen set up for the tribute to Taylor and the Coyotes at center court. Lovekamp then kicked off the celebration by explaining the MaxPreps National Rankings and the role they played in the selection of Centennial to the Tour of Champions. As she closed, Lovekamp turned the program over to Sergeant Jon Acosta of the Arizona Army National Guard, who gave a motivating speech, before presenting Taylor and the Coyotes with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy and a nationally ranked rafter banner.
Congratulations to the 2018 Centennial Coyotes on your awesome accomplishments, and best wishes to the thirty-two graduating seniors on your future endeavors. Click
here to view the Centennial TOC photo gallery and for more information about the Football TOC, please visit the
MaxPreps Tour of Champions site.
Photo By Precision Sports Entertainment
